Prospects 1500 Profile: Leonardo Rivas

Today in our series of potential 2020 Rocket City Trash Pandas written by Prospects1500's Angels correspondent Andrew Rhodes: Leonardo Rivas SS/2B.

Leonardo Rivas, 22, is an on base machine. His advanced approach allows him to generate a ton of walks. 

Rivas is an international signee out of Venezuela for $40K. He is a middle infielder with an advanced approach at the plate, as stated above. On defense he is likely to stick on the left side of the field rather than at short. His offensive profile is one of a guy who gets on base, but does not generate much power despite the high strikeout rate. He's got great speed that will help him get hits and go for the extra bases when the opportunities are there, but he has dealt with injuries that have clouded the projections on his base stealing abilities.
 
Rivas first season stateside saw him walk as much as he struck out and steal 6 bags in 26 games. In 2017 his production was spent across both Rookie and A ball, getting on base at a clip of .443 and swiping 19 bags. Rivas would return to the Midwest League in 2018 where, unfortunately his production took a back step as he dealt with a nagging injury in June and July. He still managed to get on base at a .354 clip and swipe 16 bases. 2019 was very similar to 2018 for him, he was producing well until he was sidelined with an injury in May. When he came back in July he struggled.
 
The Angels #27 top prospect according to Prospects1500, Rivas is expected to see some time with the Trash Pandas and with a healthy season should show the promise he had prior to 2018.