National Champion Mike Rivera joins Gators baseball staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The last time Mike Rivera was in a Florida Gators uniform he was on the bottom of a pile in Omaha, Nebraska as a National Champion. This year Rivera will return to Gainesville as a student assistant for Kevin O’Sullivan’s baseball team.
“We are excited to have Mike back in Orange & Blue as part of our coaching staff for the upcoming 2023 season,” O’Sullivan said. “During his playing days at Florida, Mike exemplified what it meant to be a Gator baseball player while helping to lead us to the College World Series three times including a National Championship in his final season. He will be a tremendous resource for our coaches and student-athletes.”
Rivera made 177 starts in 180 career games at Florida from 2015-17, powering the Gators to an unprecedented 156-53 record (.746) during that span. Across 605 at bats, the sure-handed backstop slashed .253/.385/.343 with 15 homers, four triples, 27 doubles, 123 RBI and 87 runs.
“I’m excited to be back in Gainesville,” Rivera said. “I want to thank Coach O’Sullivan for this opportunity to allow me to learn the coaching side of the game. During my time here, I hope to build relationships with players to guide them and help them reach their full potential.”
In both 2015 and 2016, the Venice, Fla. native claimed All-SEC honors at catcher while being named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in the latter season. Rivera was excellent behind the plate and in the field for the duration of his time in Gainesville, posting a .996 fielding percentage over 1,198 chances. He committed just five errors in his three-year career, including one per season in 2015 and 2017.
Shortly after bringing a National Championship to Gator Nation, Rivera was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians with the 192nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He spent parts of five seasons in the Minor Leagues with Cleveland, reaching the Triple-A level during the 2021-22 seasons. Rivera remained a reliable defensive presence throughout pro ball, as evidenced by a .993 fielding percentage at the catcher position and a 33% caught-stealing rate.
