Rays 40-Man Roster mid-season update: Position Players

The Rays offense has always been their weak point as solid defense and excellent pitching has carried the team since their turnaround. This year there have been a couple of breakout players (Joey Butler & Logan Forsythe) meanwhile other player have performed much they were expected to. Although at time they have struggled to get runs in, they can usually manage to them when they need to win ballgames.

As the second half of the season dawns the Rays find themselves a game over .500 and in second place of the AL East.

Catchers

Curt Casali - A strong hitter, medium defender, Casali was promoted to the Rays toward the end of June after Bobby Wilson was DFA'd. Since he's been up, earned a great reputation with the staff, and provided the Rays with solid hitting (for a catcher) with passable defense. He's currently serving back up to Rivera, though he got the lion's share the week heading into the All-Star Break.

MLB Line:  .233/.314/.433 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 28.6 K%, 11.4 BB%, & 111 wRC+ in 13 games

MiLB Line:  .205/.326/.348 with 4 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, 22.0 K%, 12.9 BB%, & 101 wRC+ in 32 games (AAA)

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Justin O'Conner - His strongest tool has always been his arm behind the plate. So far this season he has thrown out 46% of attempted base stealers. What has held him back is his hitting, which was off to a sluggish start this year. However, he has steadily improved as the season has progressed, hitting over .300 the past month of play. He's currently Montgomery's starting catcher.

MiLB Line:  .231/.261/.386 with 8 HR, 32 RBI, 7 SB, 29.0 K%, 3.6 BB%, & 80 wRC+ in 66 games (AA).

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Rene Rivera - After being acquired in the Wil Myers deal, it was given that Rivera would be the team's new starting catcher. Though a slow start in the batter's box, his defense behind the plate has been exceptional and even more recently his bat has started to take off (compared to usual Rays catchers). He's currently sharing the catching duties with Casali.

MLB Line:  .185/.221/.306 with 5 HR, 24 RBI, 0 SB, 25.6 K%, 3.8 BB%, & 48 wRC+ in 74 games (AAA)

Infielders

Tim Beckham - After years of working though the Rays system, Beckham finally made his major league debut back in 2013. He looked primed to make the big league roster in 2014 but an offseason injury prevented that and cost him most of that season. He finally made it this year and was off to a hot start. He fell into a slump however and then suffered another injury that placed him on the DL. He was just called back up to the majors after Asdrubal Cabrera was placed on the DL.

MLB Line:  .213/.267/.426 with 5 HR, 16 RBI, 3 SB, 29.5 K%, 6.7 BB%, & 93 wRC+ in 37 games

MiLB Line:  .286/.345/.408 with 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 25.5 K%, 9.1 BB%, & 120 wRC+ in 14 games (A+/AAA)

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Ryan Brett - Already an easy player to root for due to his small stature, Brett entered spring training with a glorious beard much to the chagrin of the Rays faithful. He started the season in Durham, but was quickly promoted to Tampa Bay after Evan Longoria was drilled by Toronto. Brett was promoted due to his strong defense and quickness. Unfortunately, he was quickly injured in only his third game with the Rays. He spent a short time on the DL. When he was activated, he was sent back down to Durham, where he's struggled this year.

MLB Line:  .667/.750/1.000 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0.0 K%, 25.0 BB%, & 381 wRC+ in 3 games

MiLB Line:  .214/.275/.325 with 3 HR, 14 RBI, 3 SB, 18.1 K%, 6.4 BB%, & 72 wRC+ in 39 games (A+/AAA)

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Asdrubal Cabrera - A surprising off-season signing, the Rays picked up the best available infielder of the off-season in Cabrera a few days after the Escobar/Zobrist deal sent the middle-infield packing. He enter spring training not officially knowing what position he would play, but was eventually awarded the starting short stop job. He's struggled some with the bat this year, compared to expectations, but has been hitting better as of late. His defense, meanwhile, has been outstanding. Unfortunately, he pulled a hamstring as the all-star break loomed and has since been placed on the disabled list.

MLB Line:  .223/.275/.352 with 5 HR, 22 RBI, 3 SB, 22.2 K%, 6.2 BB%, & 76 wRC+ in 86 games

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Jake Elmore - He has struggled as of late, but Elmore has provided the Rays with a solid versatile bench player. With the amount of injuries the Rays have endured, he's found himself all over the field, even the pitcher's mound. He's currently playing a bench role for the Rays.

MLB Line:  .213/.272/.303 with 2 HR, 16 RBI, 1 SB, 16.8 K%, 8.0 BB%, & 63 wRC+ in 44 games

MiLB Line:  .326/.455/.360 with 0 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, 9.1 K%, 18.2 BB%, & 150 wRC+ in 25 games

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Logan Forsythe - Had arguably the best first two months of the season for the team as Nick Franklin's injury opened the door for him to start at second base. He has since provided the team with excellent defense and had been consistently solid with the bat. He did fall into bit of a slump, but has been slowly climbing out of it. He's currently the team's starting second baseman.

MLB Line:  .274/.357/.419 with 9 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB, 17.3 K%, 8.8 BB%, & 126 wRC+ in 89 games

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Nick Franklin - Entering spring training, Franklin proclaimed that he would be the team's starting short stop on opening day. Asdrubal Cabrera would lock down the position, however, as Nick Franklin would suffer an oblique injury, causing him to be on the DL until mid-May. When he returned, his performance was underwhelming, earning him a demotion to Durham. He's currently splitting time between short and second for the Bulls.

MLB Line:  .139/.205/.250 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 30.8 K%, 7.7 BB%, & 29 wRC+ in 28 games

MiLB Line:  .284/.351/.478 with 3 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SB, 24.3 K%, 9.5 BB%, & 141 wRC+ in 20 games (AAA

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Hak-Ju Lee - Looking back at April of 2013, Lee looked prime to join the Rays at some point that season. Unfortunately, Lee suffered a devastating injury that cost him the entire 2013 season and potentially the chance at a major league career. The injury has hampered Lee's speed, one of his best tools and his performance has suffered the season and a half. He's currently playing an infield role for Durham.

MiLB Line:  .231/.295/.322 with 2 HR, 14 RBI, 13 SB, 31.8 K%, 7.7 BB%, & 78 wRC+ in 61 games (AAA)

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James Loney - In his third year with Tampa Bay, Loney has suffered a couple of different injuries. Several games after opening day, Loney suffered an oblique issue that sidelined him for most of April. He returned in May, but only for a short time before fracturing his finger that cost him another six weeks. He finally returned to a Rays team that desperately missed his defense at the beginning of July. He's currently the team's starting first baseman.

MLB Line:  .276/.331/.379 with 3 HR, 16 RBI, 2 SB, 8.8 K%, 8.1 BB%, & 102 wRC+ in 40 games

MiLB Line:  .364/.364/.455  with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 27.3 K%, 0.0 BB%, & 149 wRC+ in 3 games

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Evan Longoria - In 2015, Evan Longoria has pretty much done what's been expected of him. His homerun totals have been dwindling with each year of his career and so far this season is no exception. He has, however, been one of the team's most consistent players, getting on base at a decent clip, and has managed to play in almost every game this season. He's currently the team's starting third baseman.

MLB Line:  .276/.350/.414 with 9 HR, 41 RBI, 3 SB, 20.4 K%, 9.6 BB%, & 117 wRC+ in 89 games

Outfielders

Joey Butler - He destroyed Durham for a month, then when Jennings went down, he proceeded to be the Rays best offensive player for over the following month. Unfortunately, he has came violently crashing down to earth in a heavy slump. Hopefully he can snap out of it or seems it future with the team is questionable, as his bat is the only thing keeping him the majors. For the time being, he's still on the Rays active roster.

MLB Line:  .287/.341/.431 with 6 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB, 29.4 K%, 6.2 BB%, & 123 wRC+ in 59 games

MiLB Line:  .317/.404/.488 with 2 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB, 22.3 K%, 10.6 BB%, & 162 wRC+ in 22 games (AAA)

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Brandon Guyer - Entered spring training as the fourth outfielder, but with the Desmond Jennings injury he found himself getting more starts. He had a hot streak in May, but has since cooled off.  Usually a good platoon bat, Guyer has actually struggled against lefties more than righties this year. He's currently a platoon-starting outfielder for the Rays.

MLB Line:  .260/.356/.373 with 3 HR, 18 RBI, 9 SB, 15.9 K%, 7.7 BB%, & 115 wRC+ in 69 games

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Desmond Jennings - He switched to left field in spring training allowing Kevin Kiermaier to be the team's starting center fielder, and had a very slow start to the season. He was then was sidelined toward the end of April due to knee problems, and would eventually go on the DL, undergoing surgery. He's currently on the 60-day DL recovering.

MLB Line:  .222/.306/.238 with 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5 SB, 12.5 K%, 9.7 BB%, & 63 wRC+ in 18 games

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Kevin Kiermaier - After exploding onto the scene and becoming a fan favorite in 2014, KIermaier entered spring training a lock for the starting center fielder job. He had a blistering start to the year, but has has since cooled off considerably. However, his defense has incredible, albeit he has the occasional overboogie, but it's worth it to see him play. He's currently the team's starting center fielder.

MLB Line:  .248/.283/.410 with 4 HR, 16 RBI, 9 SB, 18.0 K%, 3.9 BB%, & 95 wRC+ in 86 games

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Mikie Mahtook - With the amount of injuries the team has sustained, that opened the door for Mikie Mahtook to make his major league debut. His first major league hit was a home run against Toronto, but he struggled during his limited opportunities at the big league level. He's currently playing down in Durham.

MLB Line:  .150/.227/.450 with 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 26.1 K%, 8.7 BB%, & 91 wRC+ in 10 games

MiLB Line:  .224/.282/.324 with 2 HR, 24 RBI, 7 SB, 23.7 K%, 5.0 BB%, & 75 wRC+  in 62 games (AAA)

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Grady Sizemore - He was signed by the team in the middle of June, after being released by Philadelphia. He had a hot start with the team, hitting .400 during his first week, but has since slumped tremendously. He's currently serving as a bench/outfielder for Kevin Cash, but his future with team seems unlikely.

MLB Line:  .237/.267/.309 with 1 HR, 12 RBI, 1 SB, 23.3 K%, 4.1 BB%, & 59 wRC+ in 51 games.

MiLB Line:  .261/.320/.435 with 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 20.0 K%, 8.0 BB%, & 129 wRC+ in 6 games (A+)

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Steven Souza Jr - The main player in the Wil Myers deal, Souza quickly showed his power potential as his first homer with the team went over 460 ft to dead center against Toronto. He currently leads the team in homers as well as stolen bases. The main fault in his game is his high strikeout total, if he keeps up his current pace he'll shatter the team's previous strikeout records. He's currently on the 15-day DL after suffering a laceration to his finger after being hit by a pitch.

MLB Line:  .210/.301/.417 with 15 HR, 33 RBI, 10 SB, 35.2 K%, 10.4 BB%, & 107 wRC+ in 79 games

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David DeJesus - His future with the team was in question entering spring training, but he has provided the team with much needed depth. He had a hot streak to start the season, he has since cooled off considerably, but has still served as a solid option in the outfield for Kevn Cash. He's currently serves in the outfield for Cash or as the DH.

MLB Line:  .274/.330/.401 with 5 HR, 26 RBI, 3 SB, 15.5 K%, 6.4 BB%, & 109 wRC+ in 74 games

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John Jaso - He has spent the majority of the season on the DL due to an injury he suffered on opening day. He finally began his rehab assignment on June 27th. After spending eight days on the assignment, Jaso was activated on July 7th aver Souza went down.

MLB Line:  .409/.500/.636 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 14.3 K%, 17.9 BB%, & 219 wRC+ in 8 games

MiLB Line:  .250/.300/.321 with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 13.3 K%, 6.7 BB%, & 88 wRC+ in 8 games (A+/AAA)