The stands in Pasco feel strangely empty these days. Just a few weeks ago, fans were watching highlight-reel catches and extra-base hits, the kind that make you stop scrolling and cheer. The kid making all that noise wasn’t just another name on the lineup card; he was becoming the face of the team’s late-summer push. That kid is Rio Foster, the 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels prospect for MLB, whose season and life changed in an instant after a near-fatal car crash in Richland, Washington.

The reports indicate Foster was sitting in the back seat when the vehicle lost control at 2 a.m. before it left the road and crashed into a fence before hitting a power pole. The car accident ejected Foster from the vehicle, which resulted in severe injuries, including traumatic brain damage and multiple facial and skull fractures, along with internal injuries that needed immediate care. He was rushed to the local hospital, where a brain surgery was performed to release pressure and stabilize his medical state.

Meanwhile, his mother, Iris Cleveland, has become the voice of the family. Her latest message has given some hope to fans. “He is critical but stable. He has made progress in the right direction. He’s no longer incubated; he is breathing on his own. Please continue to pray for him and for his speedy recovery,” she wrote, thanking fans for their support and well wishes.

The support has been nothing short of remarkable.

Fans, teammates, and even big-league Angels players have poured into Foster’s GoFundMe, pushing donations past $60,000 with 400-plus donors. Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and outfielder Jo Adell have donated $10k and $5k, respectively, setting the tone for the outpouring that followed. The Tri-City Dust Devils went as far as canceling a home game on September 5 in the wake of the accident, a rare move that spoke volumes about how deeply Foster’s presence is felt in that clubhouse.

The journey ahead is far from over; medical experts anticipate procedures in the coming months with a complete recovery hinged on thorough rehabilitation efforts. But for now, Foster is breathing independently, crossing a major milestone in his recovery. With each donation gathered and every message conveyed, the baseball community echoes a unanimous sentiment. Stay strong and keep battling on, Rio!

MLB rising star on the verge of a breakout

Before tragedy struck, Rio Foster was doing more than just holding his own; he was turning heads. He was a 16th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Florence-Darlington Technical College, and had been carving out a reputation as one of the Angels’ most intriguing young outfielders. Foster’s rise through the minors wasn’t fueled by hype but by results. Scouts praised his plate discipline and high baseball IQ, the kind of traits that force organizations to take notice.

By August, his bat was speaking louder than any scouting report.

Across 93 games for High-A Tri-City, he slashed .267/.407/.439, showing an advanced eye at the plate and posting the kind of on-base numbers that MLB player development staff love to see. August was his coming-out party, a stretch where he posted an OPS over 1.000 and captured Northwest League Player of the Month honors. Fans in Pasco began showing up just to see what Foster would do next, whether it was a line-drive double or a diving catch in right field.

That momentum now fuels the fight for his recovery. Local businesses near Tri-City have even organized raffles and donation nights to keep funds coming in. The official GoFundMe for Foster is still active. His mother provides updates on it to those looking to offer support. And that speaks volumes, especially in these tough times…