Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Wander Franco starts a triple play

In split squad action on Saturday, the Rays beat the Orioles 1-0 and tied the Braves 1-1. The Braves game featured a triple play started by Wander Franco.

Sadly, there is no video. But here’s one of the five strikeouts Joe Ryan had on the day,

On Sunday, the Rays notched another tie, 2-2 against Pittsburgh. Here’s a triple by Yandy Diaz.

The Rays also made their first round of cuts on Sunday.

More News and Links

• Juan Toribio says that Snell and Honeywell are progressing well.
• Toribio also reports on Rays pitchers picking up where they left off, and the newbies fitting in.
• Charlie Morton eyes Opening Day.
• Blake Snell thinks Blake Snell will win the most Cy Youngs this decade.
• Here’s a feel-good piece from Michael Kazdan on Ryan Yarbrough.
• Rays talking extension with Austin Meadows. Meadows is open and interested to “see where it goes.” $$ And this tidbit:

Pitcher Tyler Glasnow said his representatives had initial talks with the Rays. Shortstop Willy Adames and pitcher Ryan Yarbrough said they have not had any yet this spring, but would be open to talk if approached. Pitcher Yonny Chirinos is another potential candidate.

• Jason Mackey at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has an interesting look at the Pirates’ mistakes in handling Tyler Glasnow. $$ There is this on the Pirates love of sinkers:

... the Pirates prioritized their own comfortability or belief that what they were doing was right over the individual needs of a pitcher. Glasnow fared markedly better at the top of the strike zone but was basically forced to be something he’s not.

And this on their lack of analytics:

“There wasn’t any advanced stuff,” Glasnow said. “There was nothing. I could go maybe check my spin on a computer, but it was very much like, ‘Don’t worry about that, go and compete. I think a lot of it was, when in doubt, kind of do the inside, downhill-and-down stuff.

“I think they were behind the times on that.”

• Marc Topkin at the Tampa Bay Times writes that Tyler Zombro, aka “Coach Z,” is having an impact. $$
• Topper also has a link-dump recap of the big stories of camp so far. So this is a link-dump within a link dump. $$
• How baseball is dealing with the Coronavirus.
• Rick Dodge, who was instrumental in bringing baseball to St. Pete, passes away. $$
• Josh Solomon of the Times writes about redevelopment of the Trop site. $$
• Jim Bowden at the Athletic names 11 breakout candidates. Willy Adames makes the list. $$
• Frank Jackson at the Hardball Times writes about the Trop and the cashless experience.
• Wander Franco makes an appearance in this Fangraphs piece from Dan Szymborski on the inevitable decline of Mike Trout.
• Jason Stark at the Athletic has a piece on managers adjusting to the three batter minimum rule. $$
• Finally, here’s a look at Thor pitching in his undies.

Mee-Yow.