Interview With Kevin Rivers

Kevin Rivers is an outfielder in the Mariners minor league system. Rivers is now 22 and he finished the 2010 season with the Everett Aquasox which is where he spent the whole year. Rivers attended Bristol Eastern for high school and he went on to attend Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. Rivers had great success at the Division II School which is amongst the top DII baseball schools in the nation year after year. He was then signed to a minor league contract by the Mariners in 2009. He then played in Pulaski in 2009. Last year, he put up terrific numbers and was awarded the Mariners Short-Season hitter of the. Rivers has really surprised people this far and he has been working hard this offseason. I want to wish the best of luck to him this spring training and regular season.

Growing up in Bristol, Connecticut, what was the role sports played on your life? Did you play any sports other than baseball growing up?

Sports played a huge role in my life growing up.  I really enjoyed being active and I like the team atmosphere when I was playing.  I met a lot of my best friends today while playing on sports teams.  Bristol is a big sports town especially when it comes to baseball. Our high school and legion teams are some of the best around and american legion is recognized throughout the country. While I was growing up I also played hockey, and basketball, but once high-school came I had to pick one that I really enjoyed playing and that was baseball. I kept playing basketball throughout high-school because it helped get me in shape for the spring.

While attending Franklin Pierce from 2007-2009, the team had great success, winning 2 regular season league championships, 3 NorthEast-10 championships, and many more impressive accomplishments including a program record of wins in 2007. How has this success and playing in important games helped you at the next level?

Playing at Franklin Pierce was a great experience. Our team was one big family which helped us achieve every goal we set at the beginning of the season. Being apart of this program really prepared me for the big situations. Playing in all the championship games helped me learn how to keep my self calm and composed throughout the game. Those traits have followed me into pro ball and it's help me to slow the game down and let it come to me. 

Head Coach Jayson King has really put together a great program at Franklin Pierce being one of the most recognized and respected Division II head coaches. How has he helped you get to where you are today?

Coach King was one of the best coaches that I have ever played for.  He taught us the right way to play the game and how to do it fundamentally sound.  He was able to break down every part of the game so we could perform at our highest level when the situation arose. Coach was able to take a weakness in a player and make it a strength and helped make the strength even stronger.  He was a phenomenal coach to play for and I thank him for everything he has done for me over the past 5 years.

Your first season numbers for Arizona in Rookie Ball appear to be a totally different story from your 2010 season in Everett despite the small sample size. The AquaSox 2010 hitting coach, Scott Steinmann had the opportunity to work with you. What kind of adjustments has he helped you make with your swing?

Steiny worked with me a lot over the course of spring training, extended spring, and Everett, and I have come a long way with his help.  He really helped to learn how to slow the game down and stay within myself at the plate.  Once I was able to achieve what he had taught me everything clicked and stuck throughout the season.  

Tell me about your Journey to where you are today in baseball? What difficulties have you had to overcome in the process?

Well my journey to the professional ranks is pretty interesting but I haven't had many difficulties over the years to overcome. I was invited to a showcase in Massachusetts the day before the Cape Cod League All-Star game. I had a terrific day: ran one of my better 60 times, threw well, and hit very well. I was asked to take some more swings and after I was asked if I would be willing to sign a contract. I was with my dad and we were so excited everything I had worked for had come true and I was a professional player. I would say my two difficulties were two injuries while playing.  One was when I was 13 I was hit the face by a arrant throw by catcher and I fractured 5 parts of my left orbital bone and the other would be getting through my sophomore season in college with a pulled groin. Other than that it was a smooth and fun ride.

You put up fantastic stats last year earning you the honor of Short-Season hitter of the year in the Mariners organization. Your stat line is as follows: .332/.466/.556 including a remarkable OPS of 1.022 which led the league by a large margin. Being an undrafted free agent from a DII school you have really surprised people. What has this success meant to you?

I have always believed in my abilities to play the game of baseball.  I have been working to accomplish this goal since I was a little kid. My success this season has helped my confidence in knowing that I can compete at the next level and be successful. 

The Mariners minor league director, Pedro Grifol, is a fan of your approach to the plate. You walked 60 times last year which was second best in the league and had a 19.4 BB% which led the league. Tell me about your approach/strategy when you are at the plate?

I have a very relaxed approach when I'm at the plate.  I don't like to try and get ahead of myself and the pitcher because then you begin to think to much and get thrown off your rhythm. I know while in the on-deck circle what I need to do and what I need to look for at the plate.  I like to look for one pitch in one spot until two strikes then I shorten everything up and look to put the ball in play. I know the pitcher can't beat me only I can beat myself at the plate.

Spring training is quickly approaching. What have your workouts consisted of this offseason. Do you have a goal of where you want to start/finish the season as you head in to spring training?

This offseason I have been working hard to come into spring training ready to go.  I have been training at a place I have been going to since high school called Future Fitness. My trainer Pete has great workouts and running programs to get me ready for the season.  I have also been swinging three to four times a week at a place by house.  I feel like I will be ready when I go into spring. My goal is to have a good spring training and end up on the High Desert roster.  If I do go to Clinton I would like to end the season in High Desert.

You played alongside another Mariner in college, Scott Savastano who finished last year at AA West Tennessee. Could you give us a scouting report on him?

Scott is great player, he was a lot of fun to watch while playing with him. He has a great approach at the plate and knows he will never be overmatched. Scott was a terrific shortstop and third baseman when I played with him, but it seems he has settled in at first and the outfield.  He is a natural baseball player and excels no matter where he is on the field. I hope I catch him soon so we can be teammates once again.

Last question Kevin: Tell me about your favorite moments last year at Everett. What do you think of the city and where has been your favorite place to play thus far in your baseball career?

The city of Everett was a very exciting place to play, we always brought in a lot of fans and they created a very fun atmosphere to play in front of. Two of my favorite places that we went to this year were Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon. Vancouver was a very cool city to go and visit and see where the Olympics were held.  In Eugene we were able to play at the brand new University of Oregon field and have our locker room in the football stadium which was a very cool thing to see up close. My favorite moment last year in Everett was winning the Northwest League Championship.  There aren't many things that will top winning a championship, it's one of the best feelings.