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The Tampa Bay Rays have signed RHP Yacksel Rios to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, according to his agent Gavin Kahn.
Congrats to our client, RHP Yacksel Rios, on his new contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, which includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. ✍️✍️ #TampaBay #RaysBaseball #TampaBayRays #MLB #TeamESM @MizunoBsballNA @EnterSportsMgmt pic.twitter.com/UeF1LThKTF
— Gavin Kahn (@Gavin_Kahn) January 21, 2021
Yacksel Rios was a 12th-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, made his debut in 2017, and most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to Brooks Baseball, he has thrown four different types of pitches in his MLB career, a mid 90s fastball, slider & curveball breaking pitches, and a changeup for off-speed. While with the Pirates, Rios also adapted the infamous sinker, but didn’t throw it at all in his 4.0 innings in 2020.
Yacksel Rios with an optical illusion rising 97mph Fastball and sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/GQ08D2Ltla
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 11, 2019
For his MLB career, Rios has posted a 6.36 ERA, 5.57 FIP, 4.78 xFIP with a 8.87 K/9 rate and 4.41 BB/9 rate in 69.1 innings. It is unclear whether or not the Rays plan to have Rios compete for a bullpen or rotation spot.
Either way, the Rays will get a good look at Rios in Spring Training, and provides the team with even more pitching depth heading into 2021.