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We are just a few days away from the first Rays game of the season!
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Trivia Time!
The answer to yesterday's question was Pete LaForest, answered by Brickhaus
Incorrect answers included Willy Aybar, Joel Guzman, and Humberto Cota
He continues to make a living off his work behind the plate, as managers have rated him his league's best defensive catcher for three years running. He led the league by throwing out 54 percent of basestealers in 2005. Though he has a chunky body, he's agile and has good receiving skills. He has some raw power, but he owns a long swing, chases too many pitches and struggles against breaking balls. He's also a well-below-average runner.
Hint; he was ranked in the top 30 of his system for five years in a row.
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There are 34 days until Opening Day!
That's the same number of runs knocked in by Ryan Hanigan during the 2014 season.
Six of those came in this 16-1 bashing of the Yankees.
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Rays Spring Training Coverage!
- Tom Foley gave Kevin Cash some light ribbing
#Rays Cash standing in at the plate as they work on first-and-third plays pic.twitter.com/MpGqYkLpRa
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 28, 2016
#Rays Cash, in the batters box during catcher throwing drills, ducks to avoid throw to 3rd. Foley: "Get someone in there who isn't scared."
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) February 28, 2016
- James Loney didn't have much luck against Blake Snell
Watched most of Snell's session. Very few balls hit hard against him, and a lot of swings & misses. Easy to see how good his stuff is. #Rays
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) February 28, 2016
Top #Rays prospect Blake Snell has nasty stuff. That's James Loney waving at two pitches: pic.twitter.com/ly6aBsJp3X
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) February 28, 2016
#Rays Cash on impressive prospect LHP Blake Snell: "He looks like a 12-year-old throwing 98 mph out there and locating all of his pitches.''
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 28, 2016
- Meanwhile, several other pitchers also caught Cash's attention
#Rays Manager Kevin Cash said approach of hitters in live BP was real good, Erasmo Ramirez was "lights out," Bellatti, Romero also impressed
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) February 28, 2016
- We get our first look at kunckle baller, Eddie Gamboa, as Evan Longoria stood in against him
#Rays Evan Longoria facing knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa: pic.twitter.com/Pn6nFanpVo
— Josh Vitale (@JoshVitale) February 28, 2016
- Neil Solondz brings journeyman pitcher, Adam Wilk, under his player spotlight.
- Also, lots of player and coach interviews
Links!
- The Texas Rangers were able to land Ian Desmond, to a relatively cheap deal as he signed for one year and will earn $8 million.
- The annual reminder to please not take spring training stats seriously.
- Joey Rickard looks to continue the Orioles trend of keeping Rule V players
Tank Announcement
- Starting Wednesday, with the beginning of Rays spring training games, I'll be getting back into the grove of game notes, which will feature the history, trivia, and countdown, while the tank will be the morning links and Rays news coverage. Thanks for coming back each morning throughout the off-season.