Yacksel Ríos Melendez (born June 27, 1993) is a Puerto Rican professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

in the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

organization. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

, and

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...

. The Phillies selected him in 12th round of the

2011 MLB draft The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, Los Angeles, with the fi ...

Baseball career

Philadelphia Phillies

Ríos was born in

Caguas, Puerto Rico Caguas (, ) is a Caguas barrio-pueblo, city and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality in central eastern Puerto Rico. Located in the eponymous Caguas Valley between the Sierra de Cayey and Sierra de Luquillo of the Cordillera Central (Puer ...

, and attended Doctora Conchita Cuevas High School in

Gurabo, Puerto Rico Gurabo () is a Gurabo barrio-pueblo, town and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality in eastern Puerto Rico. It is located in the central eastern region, north of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, San Lorenzo; south of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, T ...

. The

selected Ríos in the 12th round of the

2011 Major League Baseball draft The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, Los Angeles, with the firs ...

. He made his professional debut later that year, with the

Gulf Coast League Phillies The Florida Complex League Phillies are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Phillies. The team plays i ...

where he pitched to a 0–1 record, and 8.47 ERA, in innings. Ríos returned to the GCL in 2012, where he was 2–2 with a 6.60 ERA in 30 innings pitched. In 2013, he played for the

Williamsport Crosscutters The Williamsport Crosscutters are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and play their home games at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. From 1994 to 2020, they w ...

, where he was 5–3 with a 3.59 ERA in 15 games (including 10 games started). The 2014 season found Ríos pitching for the

Lakewood BlueClaws The Jersey Shore BlueClaws (formerly Lakewood BlueClaws) are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Lakewood, New Jersey, and are named for their locat ...

, where he compiled a 6–2 record and 3.69 ERA in innings pitched. Ríos spent 2015 with the

Clearwater Threshers The Clearwater Threshers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Clearwater, Florida, and have played their home games at BayCare Ballpark since 20 ...

, where he was 6–5, with a 2.75 ERA, in 26 games (10 starts). The next year, 2016, again found him with Clearwater, the GCL Phillies, and the

Reading Fightin Phils The Reading Fightin Phils (also called the Reading Fightins) are a Minor League Baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Northeast Division of the Eastern League. The team plays their home games at FirstEnergy Stadium. The R ...

, where he was a combined 5–4, with a 5.74 ERA, in 37 games (seven starts). Ríos began 2017 with Reading, then finished that year with the Phillies’ Triple-A farm team, the

Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and they are named in reference to pig iron, used ...

; over 37 total

minor league Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities/markets. This term is used in Nort ...

appearances that year, he was 1–3, with a 1.92 ERA, with 64 strikeouts, in innings. On August 22, 2017, the Phillies promoted Ríos to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that same day, pitching innings of no-hit baseball against the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

. On September 27, Ríos earned his first career win, pitching in relief against the

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...

. He spent the rest of the 2017 season with the Phillies and in 13 games he was 1–0 with a 4.41 ERA. For the 2018 Phillies, Ríos was 3–2, with a 6.75 ERA, in 36 innings pitched. With Lehigh Valley, he was 0–0 with a 3.97 ERA in innings in which he walked 17 batters and struck out 26 batters. In 2019 with the Phillies, he went 0–0 with a 13.50 ERA in innings over four games. With the Triple-A

, he was 1–3 with a 7.41 ERA in 34 innings in which he walked 22 batters and struck out 37 batters. He was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

on July 29, 2019.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On August 3, 2019, Ríos was claimed off waivers by the

. Pitching for the

Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory ...

in 2019 he was 0–0 with one save and a 2.35 ERA in nine games ( innings). Pitching for the Pirates he was 1–0 with a 5.23 ERA in 10 games ( innings). On June 28, 2020, Ríos was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. On August 3, Ríos was selected to the active roster. In three games with Pittsburgh, he pitched to a 9.00 ERA. On October 30, he was again outrighted. He elected free agency that day.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 21, 2021, Ríos signed a minor league contract with the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

organization and was invited to spring training. In 12 games for the Triple-A

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...

, Ríos recorded a 0.66 ERA with 17 strikeouts.

Seattle Mariners

On June 4, 2021, Ríos was traded to the

in exchange for cash considerations. The next day, his contract was selected to the active roster. Ríos logged a 9.00 ERA in three appearances for Seattle before being designated for assignment on June 11.

Boston Red Sox

On June 14, 2021, Ríos was traded to the

in exchange for cash considerations. He made his Red Sox debut on June 16, retiring the one batter he faced and earning a win in relief against the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

. He appeared in 20 games with Boston, all in relief, compiling a 3.70 ERA. On September 23, Ríos was designated for assignment by the Red Sox. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A

Worcester Red Sox The Worcester Red Sox (nicknamed the WooSox) are a professional minor league baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Beginning play in 2021, the team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, succeeding the Pawtucket Red Sox. Th ...

on September 26.

Chicago White Sox

On December 6, 2021, Ríos signed a minor league contract with the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

. He spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A

Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field ...

, recording a 4–3 record and 4.91 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 33.0 innings pitched. On August 7, 2022, Ríos was released.

Atlanta Braves

On January 6, 2023, Ríos signed a minor league contract with the

organization. In 21 appearances for the Triple–A

Gwinnett Stripers The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia ...

, Ríos logged a pristine 1.46 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 7 saves across innings.

Oakland Athletics

On June 18, 2023, Ríos was traded to the

in exchange for cash considerations. Two days later, Oakland selected Ríos to their major league roster. After three games for Oakland, he was placed on the injured list on June 30 after being diagnosed with

Raynaud syndrome Raynaud syndrome, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a medical condition in which the spasm of small arteries causes episodes of reduced blood flow to end arterioles. Typically the fingers, and, less commonly, the toes, are involved. Rare ...

. Ríos underwent surgery to address the syndrome on July 7, and was transferred to the 60-day injured list the following day. On July 17, Ríos underwent season–ending surgery to repair an axillary branch aneurysm in his right shoulder. On October 4, Ríos was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A

Las Vegas Aviators The Las Vegas Aviators, formerly known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Stars, are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. They are located in Summerlin South, Nevada, a comm ...

. On October 6, Ríos elected free agency.

New York Mets

On January 10, 2024, Ríos signed a minor league contract with the

International career

During the

2023 World Baseball Classic The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) was an international professional baseball tournament and the fifth iteration of the World Baseball Classic. It began on March 8, 2023, and ran until March 21. It was originally scheduled to take place in ...

(WBC), Ríos pitched for the Puerto Rico national team. On March 13, 2023, he pitched in relief versus

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

and retired every batter faced over after

José De León José Eugenio De León Domenech (born August 7, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Cin ...

tossed perfect innings. Edwin Díaz, and Duane Underwood Jr. each relieved De León and retired every batter faced, and

Martín Maldonado Martín Benjamín Maldonado (born August 16, 1986) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Houston ...

caught on the way to a 10–0 win. The contest ended when Maldonado scored on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the eighth inning that invoked the tournament's

mercy rule A mercy rule, slaughter rule, knockout rule, or skunk rule ends a two-competitor sports competition earlier than the scheduled endpoint if one competitor has a very large and presumably insurmountable scoring lead over the other. It is called t ...

. However, it did not qualify as an official perfect game per the

Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is an American privately-held sports data company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1913, Elias is considere ...

, due to lasting fewer than nine innings.

Notes

References

External links

Yacksel Ríos
at Baseball Almanac {{DEFAULTSORT:Rios, Yacksel 1993 births Living people Boston Red Sox players Cangrejeros de Santurce (baseball) players Clearwater Threshers players Florida Complex League Phillies players Glendale Desert Dogs players Gwinnett Stripers players Indianapolis Indians players Indios de Mayagüez players Lakewood BlueClaws players Lehigh Valley IronPigs players Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente pitchers Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico 21st-century Puerto Rican sportsmen Oakland Athletics players Philadelphia Phillies players Pittsburgh Pirates players Reading Fightin Phils players Seattle Mariners players Sportspeople from Caguas, Puerto Rico Syracuse Mets players Williamsport Crosscutters players Worcester Red Sox players 2023 World Baseball Classic players