Rivera & Griffin to Join B-Mets Field Staff

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Mets are proud to announce former B-Met Luis Rivera will serve as the team’s hitting coach and Jason Griffin will handle strength and conditioning duties for the 2014 season. Rivera fills the vacancy left by longtime B-Met coach Luis Natera, who was added to the New York Mets staff as assistant hitting coach earlier this week, while Griffin replaces Jake Henderson.

Rivera returns to the Southern Tier for his first year as a hitting coach at Double-A after spending the last two seasons as the Mets’ short-season hitting coordinator. The Carolina, Puerto Rico native previously served as the hitting coach for the Kingsport Mets (R) in 2011. In 2010, he started the season as a player/coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) and transferred to Kingsport in early June where he served as an infield coach.

The infielder played six seasons in the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets organizations after spending his college career at Florida International University. After making his pro debut in the Cubs system in 2005, he joined the Mets as a Minor League free agent in May 2006. He was a New York-Penn League All-Star with the Brooklyn Cyclones (SS-A) in 2006 and hit .316 in 18 games with the B-Mets in 2007. He reached Triple-A in 2009, appearing in 46 games for the Bisons.

Griffin, a native of Harvey, Illinois, spent the last two seasons working with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) in the same capacity. Before his time in baseball, he worked from 2010 to 2011 as a member of the Oakland Raiders strength and conditioning staff. A member of the Southern University football team, he graduated in 2003 and attained a master’s degree in International Trades from Louisiana State University in 2005. He founded the Jason Griffin Foundation in 2007 and is the owner of Elite Private Training Corporation.

Rivera, Griffin, returning manager Pedro Lopez, and the rest of the B-Mets staff will kick off the 23^rd season of Binghamton Mets baseball on Thursday, April 3^rd against the Akron RubberDucks at NYSEG Stadium at 6:35 PM. Tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now. Visit the B-Mets Box Office during regular business hours or call (607)723-METS to order yours today.