:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60342429/usa_today_10921939.0.jpg)
The Tampa Bay Rays have demoted top prospect, Willy Adames, to Triple-A Durham. The 22 year old shortstop has suffered through a slump to start out his major league career. Following this afternoon’s contest with the Detroit Tigers, Adames was hitting a miniscule .216/.263/.341 with 3 HR over 95 plate appearances, while striking out nearly 36% of the time.
Hearing #Rays have optioned top prospect INF Willy Adames back to AAA.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2018
Is hitting .216 in limited opportunity, in part because Hechavarria is still on team. Formal announcement of move, and who is coming up, will be made Friday in Minneapolis.
The Rays middle infield situation is currently jammed as Kevin Cash has been trying to find playing time for all of his defenders, sending Joey Wendle and Daniel Robertson into the outfield occasionally, and starting his star prospect in Willy Adames at second base, while Adeiny Hechavarria gets most of the starts at short.
The Rays have not announced a corresponding roster move for Adames, but the most likely candidate is infielder Christian Arroyo, who went on the disabled list in the middle of June with oblique strain. He began a rehab assignment with the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Monday. However, he has only played in two games so far, so the Rays may determine he is not yet ready to be activated.
This will be a short stay in the minors for Adames, as the Rays are still trying to find a suitor for Hechavarria, so they can open up the starting shortstop job for Adames to take over. In the meantime, he will play every day in Durham, and hopefully boost his confidence.