May 4, 2026
Infielder Josh Rivera is putting defense on display for Triple-A Buffalo.
Growing up playing every position, Rivera has narrowed his scope so far in pro ball.
Appearing in games at second base, third base, and shortstop since turning pro; Rivera takes pride in his ability to be a solid defender.
“They’re coming along well,” said Rivera. “I take a lot of pride in my defense. I know I can make plays, I’m trying to expand my range, so I can make more plays. But I also try to give myself grace in terms of not trying to make a play happen when there’s no play. I’m just trying to be someone everyone can rely on at every position – second, third, and short. I’m just kind of showing up to the field prepared for anything.”
A natural shortstop, Rivera has put extra work in at second base and third base.
“The footwork is different at each position I play,” explained Rivera. “The positioning is different. Being at second base on the right side of the field, it’s kind of a different angle. Getting more reps there, I’m getting more comfortable playing those positions which helps me grow confidence, it helps me know what to do in certain situations whether that’s double plays, first to third, double cuts; stuff like that. It always keeps me ready, it keeps me on my toes.”
The prospect prepares for each position with his daily drill work.
“It’s the drill work, we call them vitamins here because it’s an every day necessity,” stated Rivera. “In that drill work, I kind of focus my footwork around whatever position I’m playing that day. I have my normal routine of just regular groundball work, just basic footwork I like to do. Towards the end I kind of incorporate game stop movements to my drill work. I base that on whatever position I’m playing that night, so if I’m playing second base, the double play feeds are different. Instead of working left-to-right, I work right-to-left.”
Rivera is also working hard at the plate.
Currently slashing .220/.276/.429 with an OPS of .705 after 91 at-bats in 2026; Rivera talks about his extra production at the plate in Triple-A.
“I credit everyone I’ve worked with here with the Blue Jays’ organization,” explained Rivera. “Even in the off-season with the guy I hit with over at IMG Academy – John-Ford Griffin. Every time I get to work with them, or coming here and working with Matty Young and Trevor Cho. Those guys give me the confidence to go out there and just be me. I get my swing off of the box. I’m not really focused on results, I’m focused on the process, my at-bats are wrapped in the process, and enjoying the moment with my teammates. It’s being able to learn from my at-bats, learning from my mistakes, and help my teammates prepare for their at-bats.”
Moving up to Triple-A a year ago, Rivera talks about the transition between Double-A and Triple-A.
“I thought the game was faster in a sense of the game being clean all-around,” said Rivera. “Just between guys making good plays and guys making good pitches, they know how to locate their off-speed, they’re confident throwing their off-speed in any count. Being able to come up here and be more aggressive at the plate, and also be aggressive out there on defense, it was kind of easy to see how guys were attacking me. Whether I was on defense or at the plate, I had to focus on every pitch. It was a quick transition, it took a little bit to get used to, but I feel I was able to adjust quicker with the help of all of the older guys here in Triple-A.”
Rivera is currently sticking with the three positions but is open to playing others in the future.
As stated earlier, he learned every position growing up, thanks to the advice of his father.
“Yeah, growing up, my Dad wanted me to play every position,” stated Rivera. “And he always told me, ‘If I could play every position, there will always be an opportunity for me to play.’ I tried to do that. I played mostly infield growing up but I was able to get a few outfield reps in high school. Just being able to move to different positions, it helps with just knowing where I need to be. You know, I’m still learning with certain positions, as the game gets more complexed as we get older. It has been awesome to just be able to experience that. I play a couple games at second, go to third; just to get those different looks and different feels. It helps to know what I need that day for that position, so it has been fun.”
Be sure to follow Josh Rivera, as he continues to be a solid defender in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization for years to come.