Yacksel Ríos #45

Yacksel Rios Melendez graduated from Doctora Conchita Cuevas High School in Gurabo, PR...Is married to his wife, April, and together they have a son, Sebastian...Loves to read, especially about books on investing...His favorite book is The Book of Five Rings...Enjoys playing video games such as The Last of Us...Watched the series on HBO as well...Has a husky...Growing up, his mom worked as a social worker in Puerto Rico, while his dad worked in construction...Pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 WBC...Signed by the New York Mets as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 10, 2024...Resigned on Oct. 23, 2024.

2024

Spent the entire season with Triple-A Syracuse...Appeared in only 27 games for the club, going 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA (11 ER/30.0 IP), 22 walks and 30 strikeouts...Placed on the seven-day IL on June 23 and missed the remainder of the season. 

2023

Appeared in three games with the A's, but spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves organization.

2022

Played the entire season with Triple-A Charlotte of the White Sox organization, pitching to a 4-3 record and a 4.91 ERA (18 ER/33.0 IP) over 30 total appearances, including one star t…Struck out 38. Allowed 31 hits and 29 walks, for a WHIP of 1.818 for the season. Earned three saves, and has 21 total saves over 11 combined seasons in the Minors. Was named Pitcher of the Year in the Puerto Rican Winter League, after going a perfect 7-0 with a 0.65 ERA (2 ER/27.2 IP) in 24 appearances for Caguas. 

2021

Combined to go 3-0 with a 4.28 ERA (13 ER/27.1 IP), 23 strikeouts and a .189 (18-95) opponents average in 23 between Seattle and Boston....Limited left-handed hitters to a .139 (5-36) average and righthanders to a .220 (13-59) mark....Recorded a career-high 2.0 IP five times … posted a 2.45 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP) with eight strikeouts in those games. ...Was traded by the Rays to the Mariners on 6/4 in exchange for cash considerations … was traded by Seattle to Boston in return for cash on 6/14....Went a combined 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA (6 ER/19.2 IP), 25 strikeouts and a .243 (18-74) opponents average over 17 games between Class AAA Durham (Tampa Bay) and Class AAA Worcester (Boston)....Was on Worcester's injured list from 8/22 to 9/12 with right elbow inflammation.

2020

Spent the majority of the season at Pittsburgh's alternate training site in Altoona, Pa. but also appeared in three games with the Pirates....Was placed on the 10-day injured list on 8/15 with right shoulder inflammation and transferred to the 45-day IL on 9/21....Pitched for Mayagüez in the Puerto Rican Winter League, tossing 6.0 scoreless IP with eight strikeouts.

2019

Began season with Lehigh Valley (Phillies' Triple-A)…Also had two stints with the Phillies from 5/29 to 6/7 and 7/5-16...Converted seven of his 10 save chances while pitching with Lehigh Valley...Was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Pirates on 8/3; was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis...Was recalled by the Pirates on 9/3...Retired each of the first 12 batters he faced while not allowing a hit in his first four appearances (4.1ip)…Was scored upon in back-to-back games on 9/12 (1.0ip/2er) and 9/15 (1.2ip/4er)…Finished season making four straight scoreless outings (3.1ip)…Picked up his win with the Pirates on 9/27 vs. Cincinnati.

2018

Made his first career Opening Day roster...Had 6 different stints with the Phillies (start of season-5/18, 6/16-7/8, 7/22-24, 7/27-8/2, 8/16-21
and 9/1-end of season)... Was the first Phillies reliever since 2016 to start a season 3-0 or better (Andrew Bailey, 3-0) and first since 2009 (Clay Condrey) to go 3-0 or better in March/April... Also made 22 appearances for Lehigh Valley (AAA).

2017

Began the season with Reading (AA)... Named an Eastern League midseason All-Star... Promoted to Lehigh Valley (AAA) on 7/11... In 37 combined minor league games, went 1-3, 1.92 ERA (12 ER, 56.1 IP) with a 4.57 SO/BB ratio (64 SO, 14 BB)... Had his contract selected on 8/22 and made his ML debut that night vs MIA (gm 2)... Earned his 1st ML win, 9/27 vs WSH... Had a 0.59 ERA (1 ER, 15.1 IP) in 11 of his 13 appearances; allowed 7 ER in 2.0 IP in the other 2 games.

2016

Began season with Reading... Transferred to Clearwater (A) on 5/16... Pitched for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

2015

Spent the season with Clearwater... Had a 13.1-inning scoreless streak, 5/3-28... Posted a 1.40 ERA (6 ER, 38.2 IP) in 16 relief appearances and a 3.81 ERA 21 ER, 49.2 IP) over 10 starts... Pitched for Glendale in the Arizona Fall League.

2014

Spent entire season with Lakewood (A)... Named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week, 5/19-25... Began the season as a reliever and appeared in 20 games (3.08 ERA, 13 ER, 38.0 IP) before being converted to a full-time starter on 6/13 for remainder of season (4.06 ERA, 29 ER, 64.1IP)... Allowed only 1 hit and picked up the win (8.0 IP), 7/1 vs Hagerstown... Pitched for Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

2013

Spent season with Williamsport (A)... Named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week, 8/12-18... Participated in Florida Instructional League.

2011-12

Spent first 2 pro seasons with Gulf Coast League Phillies (R).