“This program has had a significant impact on me,” he said. “During my sophomore year, the group that I played with was pretty good, and their work ethic and drive rubbed off on me. Two years later and I’m taking on that role, which is an awesome feeling.
“It was kind of weird at first, but once I realized it was my responsibility, I knew that I would have to step up and provide a good example. The same way I was brought up in.”
Rios’s passion for baseball runs deep, influenced by his early exposure to the sport and his older brother, Willy Amador, who played at Bryan High and went on to Rice University.
“I started playing when I was about five years old,” Rios said. “Growing up, I’d always watch my brother. I saw how he was and how everybody else saw him, and figured that was something to try to live up to. I’ve never felt any pressure to fill his shoes, so this is just a goal I’ve set for myself.”
It’s become a full-circle moment now that he’s been put in a similar situation, and his development as a player has been equally impressive.
“I think that my greatest strength comes when I’m at the plate,” Rios said. “I put up some good numbers during my sophomore year, and dealt with minor injuries last year, but the at-bats that I got went really well for me. That’s where I feel like I thrive the most.”
Despite the injuries he mentioned, Rios still managed to maintain a batting average upwards of .300 and contributed 9 RBIs to secure an all district honorable mention.
His performance – as well as that of fellow incoming seniors Gavyn Simpson (Sr. P), Trey Castro (Sr. C), and Jayden Potter (Sr. IF), among others – helped keep the Vikings competitive.
But as the team narrowly missed the playoffs with a 12-16 overall record and a fifth-place finish in District 12-6A last spring, Rios is determined to make the most of his final season
“We need to work together as a team in order to get back to the playoffs,” he said. “Nothing comes easy in this district, so it’s going to require us helping each other out and picking each other up when it comes to that important stretch of the season.”
As for Rios, this season could mark the end of his competitive baseball career. After graduating, he plans to join the RELLIS program at Blinn College, which is in collaboration with Texas A&M, where he will pursue a degree in Construction Management. But for now, his focus remains squarely on the diamond, determined to help the Vikings see their goal come to fruition.
