Not only have the Los Angeles Dodgers won seven straight division championships, but they’ve also maintained a top 10 farm system during that time, which is a testament to their front office, scouting and player development departments.
The Dodgers received contributions from a number of rookies in 2019 as all of their top prospects came up and seemingly fit in right away with the big league club. One of those rookies was Edwin Rios, who the Dodgers drafted in the sixth round in 2015 out of Florida International University.
It became clear early on in 2019 that Rios was ready for the big leagues, but he still spent most of the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City due to the team’s depth at corners in the infield and outfield.
Rios was eventually made his MLB debut June 27 and spent a few different stints with the Dodgers throughout the season. He excelled in his short time at the big league level, hitting .277/.393/.617 with four home runs and eight RBI in 28 games.
“The more I’m around him the more you really appreciate him as a person,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of Rios. “His baseball hunger to learn, to work, he’s just a great young man. First baseman, third baseman, can play the corners in the outfield. He’s a nice, nice piece.”
It is unclear what Rios’ role will be in 2020, but Roberts considers him a Major League player.
“My view of Edwin as a big league player — coming in off the bench and taking an at-bat is very difficult — and his at-bat quality off the bench has been really good,” Roberts noted.
“Even if it’s resulted in a strikeout, he’s seeing six or seven pitches and still getting good swings off. For him to be able to handle this role as a young player has been eye-opening for me.”
Rios spent most of the 2018 season with Oklahoma City, where he batted .270/.340/.575 with 31 home runs and 91 RBI in 104 games. He certainly has a bat that is strong enough to stick in the big leagues, but does not have a clear defensive position a,nd the Dodgers will retain most of their position players in 2020.
For those reasons, Rios could emerge a prime candidate to get traded this offseason as L.A. looks to address other needs on the roster.
