Photo Credit
This article was researched and compiled
by Carrie Birdsong
Born: February 18th, 1981
Birthplace: Coffee, Alabama Position: Right Field / Center Field
Batted: Right
Throws: Right
MLB Debut: May 27th, 2004, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB Appearance: October 4th, 2015, for the
Kansas City Rios
MLB Statistics: Batting Average .277
Home Runs 169
Runs Batted In: 794
Teams:
MLB Statistics: Batting Average .277
Home Runs 169
Runs Batted In: 794
Teams:
1. Toronto Blue Jays (2004 – 2009)
2. Chicago White Sox (2009 – 2013)
3. Texas Rangers (2013 – 2014)
4. Kansas City Royals (2015)
Career Highlights & Awards:
2. Chicago White Sox (2009 – 2013)
3. Texas Rangers (2013 – 2014)
4. Kansas City Royals (2015)
Career Highlights & Awards:
1. 2x All–Star (2006, 2007)
2. World Series Champion (2015)
Medals:
2. World Series Champion (2015)
Medals:
1. Men’s Baseball - Representing Puerto Rico
2. World Baseball Classic 2013 - Silver Medal
Professional Career
Rios was drafted in the first round (19th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1999 MLB draft(1). A top prospect in the Blue Jays organization for several years, Rios had considerable success in the organization’s minor league system. In 2003, he hit .352 with 11 home runs and 82 RBIs en route to winning the Double-A Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award(2). Rios was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse for the start of the 2004 season and jumped to the big leagues shortly thereafter.
Toronto Blue Jays
2004 Season
He finished his rookie season with Toronto, hitting .286 with one home run, 55 runs, and 28 RBIs in 111 games. (3)
2006 Season
After participating with the Puerto Rican team in the Baseball World Classic, Rios began to show why the Blue Jays valued him so highly in his breakout 2006 season. By June 6th, 2006, Rios was first in the league batting average (among qualified batters) with a .359 average, along with 11 home runs – a new personal best only 60 games into the 2006 season, and 43 RBIs(4). He then had his first multi–home run game on June 12th, 2006, facing the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre(5). He was often given as an example of what is known in baseball as a “five–tool player”.
On June 27th against the Washington Nationals, Rios fouled a ball off his foot, which resulted in a staph infection and a hospitalization. At the time, he was batting .330 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs for the Blue Jays(6). In recognition of his outstanding third season in the majors, the young outfielder was rewarded with a spot as a reserve on the American League All–Star Team(3). While Rios did not play in the game due to the staph infection, he was invited to attend the All–Star Game festivities during the July 10th weekend at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
2007 Season
On February 2nd, 2007, the Blue Jays and Rios agreed to a one–year, $2.535 million contract to avoid salary arbitration(7). Rios’ performance earned a spot as a reserve on the American League All–Star team(8), and he also agreed to participate in the 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby. He led all competitors by hitting 19 home runs throughout the contest, but the final round was won by Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (9)
Rios fielded the last out in the All–Star Game. He led the team in all offensive categories during the first half of the season but slumped after the All–Star Break, with his hitting average settling to slightly below .300, and was overtaken by teammate Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt) as home run and RBI leader. In 2007, he had the lowest range factor of all major league right fielders, 1.82(10). Rios was honored with a Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding right fielder in the MLB(11). He was voted the Blue Jays Player of the Year.
2008 Season
Rios signed a seven–year contract with the Blue Jays in April 2008 for a guaranteed amount of $69,835,000: $5.9 million in 2009, $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million each in 2011 and 2012, and $12.5 million each in 2013 and 2014(12). He finished the 2008 season with a slight statistical decline: .291 average, 15 home runs, 32 stolen bases, and 79 runs batted in(3). The home run total tied him with Lyle Overbay for the Blue Jays’ second-most home runs that season (only Vernon Wells had more with 20). Rios also set a career high in home runs after the All–Star Break that year.
2009 Season
On June 4th against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Rios struck out in all five of his plate appearances, also known as the platinum sombrero, in a 6 – 5 loss to the Angels at Rogers Centre. Later that day, Rios videotaped a cursing, heckling fan after he walked past a child seeking an autograph while leaving a fundraising gala for the Jays Care Foundation. Rios has since publicly apologized for the incident. (13)
Chicago White Sox
After being claimed off of waivers by the Chicago White Sox on August 10th, Rios batted .199, with three home runs, 9 RBIs, and a .296 on–base percentage in 146 at-bats over 41 games(3). Rios batted .284, with 21 home runs, 88 RBIs, and a .334 on–base percentage for the White Sox in 2010(3). After a disappointing 2011 season in which he batted a career–low .227, Rios rebounded to have one of his finest years in 2012, setting career highs with a .304 average, 25 home runs, and 91 RBIs.
On July 9th, 2013, Rios collected six hits in a game (tied AL record) in an 11 – 4 win over the Detroit Tigers(16). Rios was the starting right fielder for 2013 until his trade. After the trade, Jordan Danks and Avisail Garcia took over. In 599 games over five years for Chicago, he hit .269/.310/.430 with 74 home runs, 287 RBIs, and 99 stolen bases.
Texas Rangers
On August 8th, 2013, Rios was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, and was traded to them on August 9th for a player to be named later or cash considerations(17). Leury Garcia was announced as the player to be named later on August 11th(18). He became the team’s starting right fielder, replacing the suspended Nelson Cruz. Rios hit for the cycle against the Houston Astros on September 23rd, 2013(19). In all of 2013, Rios hit .278/.324/.432 with 18 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 42 stolen bases(3). For the 2014 season, he batted .280 with four home runs, 54 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 131 games(3). The Rangers declined Rios’ option for the 2015 season on October 15th, 2014, making him a free agent. (20)
Kansas City Royals
Rios signed a one–year contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 19th, 2014, worth $9.5 million. The contract included an option for the 2016 season(21).
In his Royals debut on April 6th, 2015, Rios hit a three–run home run in a 10 – 1 win to cap off a three–hit game(22). For the 2015 season, Rios hit .255 with four home runs and 32 RBIs while appearing in 105 games(3). While he had a down year with Kansas City, Rios had many notable moments in the 2015 MLB playoffs. In game 4 of the 2015 American League Division Series, Rios hit a leadoff single in the top of the eighth inning, sparking a five–run inning that erased a four–run deficit and forced a game 5 of the series. In game 5, he hit a two–RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving in what proved to be the winning runs of the game. Rios was just as pivotal in the 2015 American League Championship Series, batting .368 with a home run and three runs batted in(3). At the end of the season, the Royals won the World Series, giving Rios his first championship ring. (23)
On November 4th, 2015, Rios’ option was declined by the Royals, and he received a $1.5 million buyout. (24)
2013 World Baseball Classic
Rios participated in the 2013 World Baseball Classic playing for Puerto Rico. Although Rios slumped for most of the tournament, he hit a clutch two–run home run against Japan in the semifinals and handed Puerto Rico its first WBC Finals appearance(25). They would go on to be defeated by the Dominican Republic 3 – 0 in the finals.
For more detailed statistics on Alex Rios’ career, click here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riosal01.shtml
References:
1. 1st Round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur
2. World Baseball Classic 2013 - Silver Medal
Professional Career
Rios was drafted in the first round (19th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1999 MLB draft(1). A top prospect in the Blue Jays organization for several years, Rios had considerable success in the organization’s minor league system. In 2003, he hit .352 with 11 home runs and 82 RBIs en route to winning the Double-A Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award(2). Rios was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse for the start of the 2004 season and jumped to the big leagues shortly thereafter.
Toronto Blue Jays
2004 Season
He finished his rookie season with Toronto, hitting .286 with one home run, 55 runs, and 28 RBIs in 111 games. (3)
2006 Season
After participating with the Puerto Rican team in the Baseball World Classic, Rios began to show why the Blue Jays valued him so highly in his breakout 2006 season. By June 6th, 2006, Rios was first in the league batting average (among qualified batters) with a .359 average, along with 11 home runs – a new personal best only 60 games into the 2006 season, and 43 RBIs(4). He then had his first multi–home run game on June 12th, 2006, facing the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre(5). He was often given as an example of what is known in baseball as a “five–tool player”.
On June 27th against the Washington Nationals, Rios fouled a ball off his foot, which resulted in a staph infection and a hospitalization. At the time, he was batting .330 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs for the Blue Jays(6). In recognition of his outstanding third season in the majors, the young outfielder was rewarded with a spot as a reserve on the American League All–Star Team(3). While Rios did not play in the game due to the staph infection, he was invited to attend the All–Star Game festivities during the July 10th weekend at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
2007 Season
On February 2nd, 2007, the Blue Jays and Rios agreed to a one–year, $2.535 million contract to avoid salary arbitration(7). Rios’ performance earned a spot as a reserve on the American League All–Star team(8), and he also agreed to participate in the 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby. He led all competitors by hitting 19 home runs throughout the contest, but the final round was won by Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (9)
Rios fielded the last out in the All–Star Game. He led the team in all offensive categories during the first half of the season but slumped after the All–Star Break, with his hitting average settling to slightly below .300, and was overtaken by teammate Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt) as home run and RBI leader. In 2007, he had the lowest range factor of all major league right fielders, 1.82(10). Rios was honored with a Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding right fielder in the MLB(11). He was voted the Blue Jays Player of the Year.
2008 Season
Rios signed a seven–year contract with the Blue Jays in April 2008 for a guaranteed amount of $69,835,000: $5.9 million in 2009, $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million each in 2011 and 2012, and $12.5 million each in 2013 and 2014(12). He finished the 2008 season with a slight statistical decline: .291 average, 15 home runs, 32 stolen bases, and 79 runs batted in(3). The home run total tied him with Lyle Overbay for the Blue Jays’ second-most home runs that season (only Vernon Wells had more with 20). Rios also set a career high in home runs after the All–Star Break that year.
2009 Season
On June 4th against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Rios struck out in all five of his plate appearances, also known as the platinum sombrero, in a 6 – 5 loss to the Angels at Rogers Centre. Later that day, Rios videotaped a cursing, heckling fan after he walked past a child seeking an autograph while leaving a fundraising gala for the Jays Care Foundation. Rios has since publicly apologized for the incident. (13)
Chicago White Sox
After being claimed off of waivers by the Chicago White Sox on August 10th, Rios batted .199, with three home runs, 9 RBIs, and a .296 on–base percentage in 146 at-bats over 41 games(3). Rios batted .284, with 21 home runs, 88 RBIs, and a .334 on–base percentage for the White Sox in 2010(3). After a disappointing 2011 season in which he batted a career–low .227, Rios rebounded to have one of his finest years in 2012, setting career highs with a .304 average, 25 home runs, and 91 RBIs.
On July 9th, 2013, Rios collected six hits in a game (tied AL record) in an 11 – 4 win over the Detroit Tigers(16). Rios was the starting right fielder for 2013 until his trade. After the trade, Jordan Danks and Avisail Garcia took over. In 599 games over five years for Chicago, he hit .269/.310/.430 with 74 home runs, 287 RBIs, and 99 stolen bases.
Texas Rangers
On August 8th, 2013, Rios was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, and was traded to them on August 9th for a player to be named later or cash considerations(17). Leury Garcia was announced as the player to be named later on August 11th(18). He became the team’s starting right fielder, replacing the suspended Nelson Cruz. Rios hit for the cycle against the Houston Astros on September 23rd, 2013(19). In all of 2013, Rios hit .278/.324/.432 with 18 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 42 stolen bases(3). For the 2014 season, he batted .280 with four home runs, 54 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 131 games(3). The Rangers declined Rios’ option for the 2015 season on October 15th, 2014, making him a free agent. (20)
Kansas City Royals
Rios signed a one–year contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 19th, 2014, worth $9.5 million. The contract included an option for the 2016 season(21).
In his Royals debut on April 6th, 2015, Rios hit a three–run home run in a 10 – 1 win to cap off a three–hit game(22). For the 2015 season, Rios hit .255 with four home runs and 32 RBIs while appearing in 105 games(3). While he had a down year with Kansas City, Rios had many notable moments in the 2015 MLB playoffs. In game 4 of the 2015 American League Division Series, Rios hit a leadoff single in the top of the eighth inning, sparking a five–run inning that erased a four–run deficit and forced a game 5 of the series. In game 5, he hit a two–RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving in what proved to be the winning runs of the game. Rios was just as pivotal in the 2015 American League Championship Series, batting .368 with a home run and three runs batted in(3). At the end of the season, the Royals won the World Series, giving Rios his first championship ring. (23)
On November 4th, 2015, Rios’ option was declined by the Royals, and he received a $1.5 million buyout. (24)
2013 World Baseball Classic
Rios participated in the 2013 World Baseball Classic playing for Puerto Rico. Although Rios slumped for most of the tournament, he hit a clutch two–run home run against Japan in the semifinals and handed Puerto Rico its first WBC Finals appearance(25). They would go on to be defeated by the Dominican Republic 3 – 0 in the finals.
For more detailed statistics on Alex Rios’ career, click here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riosal01.shtml
References:
1. 1st Round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur
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13. Gilbert, Erika (June 5, 2009). "Rios apologizes
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