We’re always hearing about family stories within the Major Leagues whether it be a father-son relationship or a pair of brothers playing together, and this year is no different. In the fourth round of the MLB Draft, Iona College pitcher Mariano Rivera III was drafted by the Washington Nationals. He’s the son of Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and bears a strikingly similar facial resemblance to him. Despite the resemblance in looks, their pitching styles are quite different. We all know Rivera threw his famous cutter which made him a phenomenon, but his son doesn’t even use the cutter. Rivera III throws a fastball (low-to-mid 90s), a slider, and a curveball. Last year, the Yankees actually drafted Rivera III in the 29th round but opted for another year at Iona. The Nationals played the Yankees earlier in the week which made it even more special (and bizarre for rooting interests) for this father-son tandem.

The Houston Astros were all about keeping it within the family drafting four players with ties to current or former Major Leaguers. The most notable names that were drafted were Conor Biggio, son of Craig Biggio, and Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens. The younger Biggio and Clemens were drafted just a round apart as Conor was drafted in the 34th round and Clemens in the 35th. Conor Biggio was an outfielder at Notre Dame but served mostly as a pinch runner due to his speed. Kody Clemens was a high school shortstop who committed to the University of Texas where his father pitched and where his brother Kacy currently plays. Craig Biggio played on the Astros his whole career after he was drafted 22nd overall by them in 1987. He went on to have a stellar career with them reaching 3060 hits and 414 stolen bases. Roger Clemens played three seasons in Houston reaching the World Series with them in 2005. The other two players with family ties that the Astros drafted were outfielder Kyle Tucker, brother of current Astros outfielder Preston Tucker, and outfielder Daz Cameron, son of former outfielder Mike Cameron.

In the feel good story of the night, the Detroit Tigers drafted Ryan Castellanos in the 25th round. Castellanos is a right-handed pitcher out of Nova Southeastern, and the younger Castellanos had the pleasure of hearing his brother’s voice (Nick Castellanos) on the other side of the phone line when getting drafted. This special moment was captured on video and became a hit throughout the internet.

Other Notable Players Drafted With Major League Ties

Tate Matheny: Son of St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round.

Cam Gibson: Son of former World Series MVP Kirk Gibson was taken by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round.

Tyler Nevin: Son of former number one overall pick Phil Nevin was taken by the Colorado Rockies 38th overall.

Griffin Conine: Son of “Mr. Marlin” Jeff Conine was taken by the Miami Marlins in the 31st round.

Andrew Amaro: Nephew of Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was taken by Philadelphia in the 35th round.

Joseph Reinsdorf: Grandson of White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was taken by them in the final round of the draft.