Edwin Rios drafted by Dodgers, five Panthers selected in 2015 MLB Draft

Edwin Rios finishes his career at FIU with a .313 batting average, 29 home runs and 146 RI in three seasons as a Panther.

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

Edwin Rios was hoping that a Major League ball club would draft him straight out of high school.

But the phone never rang, and a disappointed Rios made his way to FIU to begin his collegiate baseball career.

After three seasons as a Panther, Rios finally got the phone call he has been waiting for.

The power-hitting infielder was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft on June 9, making him the No. 192 overall pick of the draft.

Looking back at it now, Rios says it was worth the wait.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. FIU helped me get ready for this moment and helped me become a better player, a better student and a better person,” Rios said. “It was a great journey and now it’s time to start another one.”

Rios was key player in the Panthers’ Conference USA championship run this season, batting .314 while leading the team in home runs (18) and runs batted in (56).

Now he is gearing up to begin his professional career as a member of the Dodgers organization.

“It’s an unreal feeling; something you wait your whole life for,” Rios said.

Four of his teammates joined him as members of the Panthers’ 2015 MLB draft class, all of them picked a day after Rios on the third and final day of the draft.

The Chicago White Sox selected junior pitcher Danny Dopico in the 11th round. The Panthers’ closer recorded 10 saves and a 1.99 ERA on the mound for FIU in 2015.

Senior shortstop Julius Gaines and junior pitcher Gianni Zayas were both picked by the Seattle Mariners in the 33^rd and 35^th rounds, respectively.

In the 38^th round, the Arizona Diamondbacks took senior third baseman and Conference USA Tournament MVP Josh Anderson.