Los Angeles Dodgers: Fringe players to keep an eye on during Spring Training
By Jason Reed
1. Edwin Rios
Edwin Rios got a brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season either due to injury or when the roster expanded in September. Altogether, Rios played in 28 games for the big-league club, amassing 56 plate appearances.
In that small sample size, Rios showed Dodger fans the pop that he can bring to the lineup from the left side of the plate. Rios hit four home runs with the big-league club, driving in eight RBIs and had a 1.010 OPS. It was a very limited sample size, but it was still impressive.
His solid minor-league numbers from the last two years back up Rios’ ability as well. Rios hit .285 the last two seasons in AAA with 41 home runs, 48 doubles and 146 RBIs in 702 plate appearances. It is pretty clear that he is big-league ready.
However, Rios has not gotten the extended chance at the big-league club because he is a corner infielder and the Dodgers have Justin Turner and Max Muncy manning the corners with Matt Beaty emerging as a back-up.
Rios could make the case for that back-up first base job and could even be on the Opening Day roster with that role. However, with so many options available, Rios is going to have to hit his way onto the roster.
Rios’ one Achilles’ Heel is his tendency to strikeout, which is not a massive deal in 2020 but his rates are alarming. He struck out in 37.5 percent of his plate appearances over his last two AAA seasons while also striking out in 37.5 percent of his 56 big-league plate appearances.