Nationals select Mariano Rivera Jr. in 4th round of MLB Draft

The son of the most dominant closer in baseball history is poised to begin his professional career with the Washington Nationals.

On Tuesday, the Nationals grabbed Mariano Rivera Jr. with their fourth-round pick (134th overall) in the 2015 MLB Draft, one year after the young right-hander was selected by the New York Yankees - his father's longtime employer - in the 29th round.

"In my mind I wanted to be a top 10-rounder," recalled Rivera Jr., who returned for another college season. "I was set on coming back, no matter what. I wanted to prove to myself I can do this, I can do more. I wanted to see how far I could push myself and what I really could do with the talent and skills I have now."

Resolved to improve upon his sophomore season, Rivera's right-handed progeny saw his draft stock rise considerably this summer after he fashioned a 2.65 ERA while notching 113 strikeouts in 85 innings for Iona College, a little-known school 20 miles north of Manhattan. Though he doesn't wield his father's signature cutter, the 21-year-old reached 97 MPH on the radar gun with his four-seamer as a junior at Iona.

"They drafted a pretty good pitcher," said the senior Rivera, history's all-time saves leader. "He is hungry and determined and willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues."

Comparisons to his legendary father will only intensify now that Rivera Jr. is set to begin his professional career, but the young hurler wants to carve out a legacy of his own.

"I’ll always have my father’s name," he said. "That was the name I was given. I love that name. But I’m not my father. I want to make a name for myself. I’m fortunate enough to be doing this. It’s not him pitching on the mound, it’s me."