Francisco Rios

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #17 prospect in 2017
  Rios had unremarkable career since signing in July 2012 out of Monclova, Mexico, until 2016. In his first shot at full-season ball, the 21-year-old shot out of the gate at low Class A Lansing to earn a promotion to high Class A Dunedin, with a spot in the Futures Game interrupting his season. He gave up a home run to Orioles top prospect Chance Sisco in San Diego and struggled a bit down the stretch as he tired while pitching more than 120 innings. Rios had always impressed club officials with his ability to spin a breaking ball, and he throws both a curveball and a slider that are both at least solid-average, with the curve at times giving him an above-average pitch. His fastball also is average, having reached 96-97 mph but usually sitting 91-92. He learned to pitch off it more in 2016 and improved his fastball command as a result, throwing it more and learning to maintain his compact delivery with a three-quarters release point. His below-average changeup hasn't hindered him so far against lefthanded hitters. Rios lacks prototype physicality but has a chance to be a four-pitch starter with good control, making him a back-end rotation option. He should reach Double-A in 2017.