Lorenzo Rios has become Rice’s steady, run-preventing backstop with a late-season bat surge
In the 2026 season, Lorenzo Rios took over as Rice’s starting catcher and helped the Owls go 27-11 in his 38 starts behind the plate, while throwing out 10 runners to rank fourth in the conference and committing just one error in 267 chances. He hit .223 overall but finished strong at .303 over his last 15 games, and he even delivered in high-leverage spots with key bunts and clutch RBI in Rice’s postseason run. He looks like a defense-first catcher with toughness, game management, and enough late offensive traction to fit a team that values reliability and grit.
