The Italian Baseball League club TELEMARKET RIMINI filled a foreign spot on the roster besides pitching ace Gustavo Martinez with the Venezuelan Eduardo Rios. The 36-year-old is supposed to provide some power to the lineup, which managed just 18 homeruns last year (seventh in the IBL).
The infielder began his professional career at the age of 20 with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 1993. He stayed with the Major League club until the end of 1996, moving through the farm system. After his release he had another shot at the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999, but couldn’t make the jump to the MLB, despite hitting .294 (OBP .333/SLG .397) in 19 games. It was the end of his minor league career. He batted .270 (OBP .312/SLG .412) with 33 homeruns and 212 RBI in 395 games.
He then moved on to Mexico, experienced a power surge and led the league with 33 homeruns in 2006. Rios also had a short stint in the Korean Baseball League. In 2008 he played for the Independent League teams Lincoln Saltdogs and Brockton Rox, hitting .275, respective .413 with a combined eleven homeruns and 52 RBI. He also played winter ball in his home country with the Cardenales di Lara, batting .244.
He joins Phil LoCascio and Ivanon Coffie as newcomers in a crowded RIMINI infield. In addition Jack Santoro should return after an injury plagued last season. The PIRATES also already improved the pitching staff with the acquisitions of Spanish National Team hurlers Jorge Balboa and Fernando Gutierrez.
