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Leo Rivas wasn't supposed to make it.
When he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 out of Venezuela, it was for just $40,000.
Now 14 years later, Rivas is starting on Opening Day for the Seattle Mariners -- what a journey.
Rivas is 28 years old now, and he didn't even make his MLB debut until two seasons ago when he was 26.
The 5-foot-7 infielder first toiled in the minor leagues for a decade.
Rivas played two seasons in the Dominican Summer League. He spent parts of four different seasons in Rookie ball.
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He needed two seasons at Single-A, one season at High-A, and has been in Double-A and Triple-A in parts of three different seasons apiece.
This hasn't been a straightforward baseball journey. This has been a lengthy, winding path.
And now, Rivas is a big leaguer, more secure in that role this season than ever before.
He's starting right now because J.P. Crawford is injured, and because Colt Emerson remains at Triple-A. Eventually, Rivas might be out of a gig.
But for now, he'll try to build on his career 91 MLB games, which have amounted to a .239 batting average with two home runs and nine steals.
Rivas was never even supposed to be here. You can bet he'll enjoy this Opening Day start.
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