For several Minor League players the toiling through a farm system can be a grueling process. The Los Angeles Dodgers have shown a willingness to promote prospects whose play has warranted it, and that recently led Edwin Rios to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He appeared in both games of Oklahoma City’s double-header on Saturday, making an immediate impact in the first contest. Rios’ first at-bat came in the top of the second inning, and he sent an 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall for his first career Triple-A home run.
The solo shot gave the OKC Dodgers their first run but the team failed to score another run during the game. They fell to the New Orleans Baby Cakes by a score of 6-1. Rios finished 2-for-5 in the first game of the doubleheader.
The versatile third baseman has certainly made a name for himself in the Dodgers farm system since being selected in the sixth round of the 2015 Draft. That’s included twice playing left field for Oklahoma City, after just two games in right field with Double-A Tulsa.
In addition to third base, Rios also played first base for the Drillers. Over 77 games at the Double-A level this season, he batted .317/.358/.533 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. Rios was among nine Drillers named to the Texas League All-Star Game.