The St. Louis Cardinals have made a franchise-altering move by drafting Mariano Rivera with the sixth overall pick. With potential ratings of 15 in Stuff, 18 in Movement, and 17 in Control, Rivera is poised to become a dominant force in the league. While his current Control (11) needs refinement, scouts believe he could reach his full potential within a season, setting the stage for him to dominate in the closer role. However, with Steve Chitren firmly entrenched as the Cardinals’ closer for the past four seasons, the question remains: when will Rivera take the mound in the ninth inning? Some suggest the Cardinals might consider starting Rivera in AAA to further develop his control, but with an owner as unconventional as St. Louis’, anything is possible.
This unpredictability was on full display recently when the Cardinals’ owner responded to The Diamond Chronicle’s earlier analysis of Brian Giles playing right field. Dismissing the suggestion with a laughing-crying emoji, the owner quipped, “Like Brian Giles will ever play RF.” Reassessing Giles’ defensive ratings (11 in LF, 2 in CF, 9 in RF), the most logical spot for him appears to be the designated hitter role—a position the team already uses to maximize Mike Kigery’s offensive production against right-handed pitchers. While we’ll avoid speculating further on Giles’ future defensive alignment, rest assured, The Diamond Chronicle will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
For now, all eyes are on Rivera as the Cardinals lay the groundwork for what could become one of the league’s most formidable bullpens. Whether Rivera takes the field immediately or develops in the minors, his presence signals that the Cardinals are serious about building a dominant pitching staff for years to come.