Tortugas' Javi Rivera named Florida State League Pitcher of the Month for June

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Minor League Baseball announced on Thursday, July 7, that Daytona Tortugas RHP Javi Rivera has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month for June. The 22-year-old is the first Daytona player to be honored with a monthly award in 2022. RHP Sam Benschoter was named the circuit’s Pitcher of the Week for Week 5 (May 2-8) and 1B Ruben Ibarra was awarded the league’s Player of the Week for Week 10 (June 6-12).

Rivera is the first Tortugas pitcher to receive a monthly award since RHP Bryce Bonnin was named Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Month for July in 2021. Last season, RHP James Proctor was also recognized as the league’s Pitcher of the Month for May.

During the season’s third month, Rivera was virtually untouchable. The Saint Cloud, Fla. native finished the month on a 14-inning scoreless streak dating back to his final out in a win vs. Fort Myers on June 7. In 5 appearances (4 starts) in June, Rivera accrued a 1-0 record with a miniscule 0.48 ERA (1 ER in 18.1 IP). The right-hander permitted only eight hits, walked three, and struck out 24. Rivera limited opponents to a .127 average, a .385 OPS, and mustered 11.57 strikeouts-per-nine-innings.

If he had enough innings to qualify during the month, Rivera would have led the Florida State League in ERA (0.48), WHIP (0.59), and sat second to Tampa’s RHP Juan Carela (.117) in batting average against (.127).

Entering Thursday’s matchup with St. Lucie, Rivera ranks 10th in the FSL in strikeouts (70) for the entire season. Among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings pitched, the second-year professional leads the circuit in WHIP (0.92), is second in FIP (2.81), third in walks-per-nine-innings (1.69) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.36), fourth in ERA (2.76) and strikeout rate (30.4%), and seventh in K/9 (10.74).

Rivera is in his second professional season after being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Florida Atlantic University.

The biggest party in Central Florida returns to the World’s Most Famous Beach as Daytona’s series with St. Lucie continues on a Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Bud Light. All fans will be able to beat the heat and enjoy their favorite draft beer or fountain soda for as low as $1 at concession and beer stands throughout the night.

RHP Tanner Cooper (4-1, 3.38) is expected to take the hill for Daytona, as they look to capture their second-straight victory. St. Lucie is scheduled to counter with RHP Joel Díaz (0-1, 9.95) — New York’s No. 9 prospect per Baseball America. Gates open at 6 p.m. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.