Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Wild Night in St Pete and Big Day in Tampa

Rays Links:

• There were a lot of great stories to pick from the position side of the Rays last night, but hard to argue that Daniel Robertson wasn’t the big hero in a huge 10-9 win. DRob went 3-6, with the walk off RBI single in the 10th.

• The Rays are nearing closer to the All Infielder Defense, as DRob also came through with some great plays starting in LF, including this diving catch to save a run:

• Later today there will be the much anticipated unveiling of the future of Rays baseball in Tampa, including our first look at stadium designs. Greg Auman reports that you will be able to watch it all live on the Rays Facebook page.
• In honor of today’s announcements and unveiling, the city was illuminated in Rays colors. Very cool!
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs breaks down how Nate Eovaldi might just be the best starting pitcher on the trade market.
• Rays 17 year old super prospect Wander Franco tops this weeks Baseball America Hot Sheet. Great write up overall from Ben Badler, but this is the money quote that raised my eyebrows:

There are still questions about whether Franco ultimately sticks at shortstop or moves to second base, but either way, he has a chance to develop into an impact hitter, the type who could race through the minors and get to the big leagues by the time he’s 20. (BB)

• Blake Snell’s absence from the AL All Star team has been a hot topic all around baseball. While Snell is disappointed, he also has appreciated all the support he’s received.
• Speaking of All Stars, Greg Auman at The Tampa Bay Times spoke with Wilson Ramos about how this 2nd selection is even better than the 1st.
• Perhaps the MOST Florida man looking person attempted to grab a foul ball, and it was a fun scene (and it looked like he talked his way out of ejection too).

• The only pitcher last night to not give up a run or let an inherited run score, Hunter Wood showed off some surprised velocity and his great curve. Wood is also it seems quite picturesque.
• In some sad news from yesterday:

Around the League:

• Luis Torres at Beyond the Boxscore has a good read and analysis on Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray and “luck”.
• As someone who used to live in Washington DC and spent many a day all over the museums there, there is no shortage of things to check out, but make sure not to sleep on the Library of Congress. Now open at the Library of Congress, in time for all the All Star Game fun: a new exhibit on baseball history and baseball americana.

The Rays trading Blake Snell is “fictional garbage”:

• In what shouldn’t be a weekly reminder yet needs to be: the Rays have one of the best pitchers in baseball, he’s under control for 4 more years, and while they might listen to a team try to make them a pitch (while putting it on speakerphone so other FO folks can listen and enjoy), they will not be trading Snell. Want more proof this time?