Hot-hitting 51s standout Rivera appears due for big-league call-up

By Jesse Granger

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas 51s third baseman T.J. Rivera batted a scorching .371 in May while leading the Pacific Coast League with 31 runs batted in and 47 hits.

It was good enough to earn the Bronx, N.Y., native Player of the Month in the PCL, but apparently not good enough to get a call from the 51s’ major league affiliate New York Mets.

It wasn’t for a lack of need. The Mets called up infielders Matt Reynolds and Ty Kelly in the month of May — neither of which have the stats that Rivera boasts this year.

The 27-year-old currently leads the league in hits with 33 and is tied for first with 52 RBIs.

“He’s had a great season so far,” said 51s manager Wally Backman. “He can really swing the bat and gets big hits for you on a regular basis.”

Rivera also ranks in the top 15 in the PCL in runs scored with 41 and doubles with 15.

“I’ve been able to drive a lot of pitches that I haven’t in the past. I haven’t put the ball into play as hard as I want to early in the count in the past,” Rivera said. “This year before I get to two strikes I’ve been able to put the ball into play for doubles or home runs. I’m more comfortable just driving the ball instead of just putting it into play.”

After hitting only two home runs in 54 games in 2015 with the 51s, Rivera already has seven this year, but with his increase in power his consistency hasn’t suffered.

“I don’t want to change his thought process because he has a good one at the plate,” Backman said. “Since he’s started baseball in the minor leagues he has hit over .300 every year.”

Rivera, an undrafted Troy University product who signed with the Mets in 2011, is averaging .361 this year — second in the PCL — and his on base percentage is an impressive .401.

“He has been a huge factor for us,” Backman said. “He’s been healthy all year long. It’s nice when you have a guy like T.J. where you can write his name in the lineup and he’s never going to tell you he can’t play.”

Rivera has suited up for 58 of the team’s 62 games this year, and has played left field, second base and first base as well as his usual home at third base.

“He’s a very versatile player that, to me, is definitely going to be able to help out a major league club at some time,” Backman said.

While there is no clear answer as to why the Mets have yet to bring Rivera up to the major leagues, Backman suspects it may be due to him not being on the team’s 40-man roster, which comprises those players in a major-league team's organization who are signed to a major-league contract and eligible to be added to the active 25-man roster.

“Sometimes it’s an issue with the roster spot and he’s not on (the 40-man roster) yet. Those things become issues and they try to use those guys first,” Backman said. “I’m certain that he will be on that roster next year. If it’s not with us, it will be with someone else.”

If a player is released from the team’s 40-man roster, he enters waivers and can be claimed by any team in the league. The Mets may not want to risk losing Rivera if they believe he is ready to be a reliable contributor at the major league level long term.

“When T.J. does get an opportunity to go to the big leagues, he will be one of the guys that goes to the big leagues and plays on a regular basis,” Backman said.

Backman says Rivera has been on the Mets' radar since a strong showing in spring training. Rivera hit .289 and was tied for first on the Mets in home runs with two, and finished second on the team with nine RBIs.

For now, Rivera will have to settle with dominating the PCL and shake off watching players he outperforms making their major-league debuts.

“Those things are tough to deal with, but you have to keep pushing and keep playing and that’s my goal,” Rivera said. “I believe in myself and I know what I’m capable of doing, so I just put that stuff to the side and keep competing.”

Behind Rivera’s strong start, the 51s are 32-31 and only five games back from division-leading El Paso.

“I really just want to help the team win,” Rivera said. “If I can help the team win and put some winning streaks together and hop up into first place, that would be nice.”

But if he keeps hitting the way he has, Backman says it won’t be long before a major league team scoops him up. Born and raised in the Bronx, Rivera would love that team to be the Mets.

“Really my goal is just to make it to the big leagues,” Rivera said. “If it can be with the Mets, then that would be awesome because it would be great to play in front of all the people that I haven’t seen in so long, especially the people who have supported me and helped me get to where I’m at.”