Luis Rivas

Infobox MLB player
name=Luis Rivas

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width=250
position=Shortstop
team=Pittsburgh Pirates
number=31
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|8|30
birthplace=city-state|La Guaira|Venezuela
debutdate=September 16
debutyear=2000
debutteam=Minnesota Twins
statyear=2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.257
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=34
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=201
stat4label=Stolen bases
stat4value=81
teams=
*Minnesota Twins (by|2000-by|2005)
*Cleveland Indians (by|2007)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|2008-present)

Luis Wilfredo Rivas [REE-vas] (AKA "The Great and Powerful Luis Rivas") (born August 30, 1979 in La Guaira, Vargas State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for the Minnesota Twins from by|2000 to by|2005 and the Cleveland Indians in by|2007. He bats and throws right-handed.

Rivas is known to be a free-swinging hitter who will offer at almost any pitch often putting it in play. As a runner, he has good speed and is aggressive on the basepaths.

Defensively, Rivas has soft hands, a great arm and good range. He turns the double play well, and also is competent going back on pop-ups.

From 2000–by|2004, Rivas posted a .262 batting average with 29 home runs and 165 RBI in 506 games.

After the 2005 All-Star break, Minnesota optioned Rivas to Triple-A Rochester. Once thought of as the Twins second baseman of the future, Rivas has yet to develop into the type of consistent hitter needed. He was recalled, and then again sent back down on October 4 after the season had ended.

In by|2006, Rivas played for the Durham Bulls of the International League. He hit a disappointing .218 with a OPS of .540. He signed a Minor League contract with the Cleveland Indians for the 2007 season. He hit .263 for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 105 games. He earned a big league callup on September 1, when rosters expanded.

In December 2007, Rivas signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

External links

* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6417 ESPN] - profile and daily update
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rivaslu01.shtml Baseball Reference] - career statistics and analysis