If Alberto Rios fails to reach the big leagues, it won’t be for a lack of grit and determination.

Drafted as an outfielder out of Stanford in the third round last year, Rios focused on catcher at instructional league and will head into 2024 trying to make it at the position.

Rios appeared in just eight games in his first two years at Stanford, going hitless in seven pinch-hit at-bats. He switched positions twice by his junior season, moving from infield to catcher to left field.

But his persistence and patience paid off in 2023, when Rios slashed .384/.485/.707 with 18 home runs and 73 RBIs in 63 games for Stanford. That earned him Pacific-12 Conference player of the year and All-America honors.

“Some guys run away from adversity, and some guys plow through it—I think he’s more of a guy who plows through it,” Angels minor league field coordinator Joe Kruzel said.

“He didn’t play much for two years at Stanford, and he found a way to get himself in the lineup. That shows you the character of a young man.

“I think it comes down to how guys are wired, right? He’s already fought through some adversity. He understands what that’s about and how (it impacts) his work ethic. I think that will help him get to where he wants to go.”

Rios struggled in his pro debut last summer, batting .181/.269/.315 with three homers in 33 games for Low-A Inland Empire.

But the Angels are confident the 6-foot, 203-pound Rios will hit, the 22-year-old having shown an advanced approach at the plate with a quick stroke from the right side and a firm grasp of the strike zone.

Rios has shown soft hands and a strong arm behind the plate, though he needs to refine his throwing mechanics.

“You like the makeup, you like the kid,” Kruzel said. “He had some impressive power numbers in the Pac-12, and you’d like to think that will translate (to pro ball).

“If he turns into a really good catcher with his bat-to-ball skills and his power potential, that’s a pretty nice young package.”