Zach Quate, rhp, Rays Born: Sept. 12, 1987. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Appalachian State, 2009 (14th round). Signed by: Brad Matthews. In his first pro summer, Quate was one of the biggest surprises from the Rays' 2009 draft class. Undrafted as a junior at Appalachian State in 2008, he turned heads that summer by posting a 1.31 ERA for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, earning team MVP honors and leading them to their first-ever Alaska Baseball League title. He built on by starring as a senior, when he converted all 11 of his save opportunities for the Mountaineers while fashioning a 1.09 ERA. After signing for $7,500 as a 14th-round pick, he made good on all 13 his save chances at short-season Hudson Valley. Quate throws an average fastball and a plus slider from a low three-quarters arm angle. He uses both sides of the plate with both pitches, with his slider breaking toward the back foot of lefthanders. He has an advanced feel for how to retire hitters, as well as the confidence and maturity to win most battles. Quate missed instructional league when he returned to school in the fall to finish work on his marketing degree. Nevertheless, he has a chance to move rapidly in 2010, just as Matt Gorgen did in the Tampa Bay system a year after going in the 16th round of the 2008 draft. He could jump to high Class A out of spring training.