Third baseman Edwin Rios was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft on June 9th, making him the No. 192 overall pick in the draft. His selection on the one hand might have been a bit surprising for the Dodgers that early in the draft as an infielder coming off his third year at Florida International University in Greater Miami.

On the other side of the ledger was The Baseball Draft Report that listed Rios as the second best third base prospect from Division I colleges behind only David Thompson of the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Rios attended Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida and fully expected to be selected in the First Year Player Draft out of high school. That was not to be as he didn’t get the call. “The phone never rang. I was very disappointed, I was crushed,” the 2012 Osceola High graduate said.

Edwin Rios
(Photo courtesy of elsoldelaflorida.com)

However, in retrospect the hurt was healed and the future brighter as Rios came to appreciate his time playing with the Panthers and without question feels it was worth the wait to finally get selected in the draft.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. FIU helped me get ready for this moment and helped me become a better player, a better student and a better person,” Rios said. “It was a great journey and now it’s time to start another one.”

Rios continued: “It was a blessing that I didn’t get drafted after high school. I would have signed for anything. Now, I’ve been away and learned how to be on my own for three years. I was able to start my education, and that will help me.”

Playing first base in his junior year at FIU because of an arm injury Rios was a key player in the Panthers’ Conference USA championship run in 2015. He posted a triple slash of .314/.427/.610 along with a team leading 18 home runs and 56 runs batted in. He had 37 strikeouts on the season and 39 walks.

With success at the college level and more prepared for the road ahead Rios moved up in the class of 2015 and this time he got the call. “I was so happy, it was such a relief. There was so much stress while I was waiting; it was so stressful. I’m glad that it’s over,” he said. “But, I am happy to be going to a great organization like the one in Los Angeles. I am very happy to be selected by them, and very grateful.”

Interestingly enough Edwin Rios and Yasiel Puig have something in common besides the name on their uniforms. “My advisor, my agent, represents Yasiel Puig, so he has a lot of knowledge about dealing with that organization,” Rios said. “I’m ready. I can’t wait to get out there and get my career started.”

The 6’3” – 220 lb third baseman did get his professional career started in 2015. On July 22nd he had three hits in three at bats with the Arizona League Dodgers.

After two games with the Dodgers he was moved on to the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League. In 20 games with the Raptors, playing primarily third base, Rios hit .235 with three home runs and 13 runs batted in finishing the season on September 8th with a three hit game against the Grand Junction Rockies.

The 22-year old left-handed hitter who throws with his right arm began the 2016 at extended spring training. He debuted with the Great Lakes Loons on Saturday, April 23rd going hitless in three at bats. He followed that game up on Sunday with a three hit performance against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. In the field he handled eight chances flawlessly showing a strong arm on throws to first base.