DRaysBay - All PostsA Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budgethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48753/drb-logo-fv.png2024-03-28T18:59:03-04:00http://www.draysbay.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T18:59:03-04:002024-03-28T18:59:03-04:00Zach Eflin falls apart in the sixth on Opening Day - Blue Jays 8, Rays 2
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<figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Yandy Diaz started things right, but the rest wasn’t much fun.</p> <p id="Su7Wa9">The Rays wont be starting the season with a run of 13 wins this year, as they fell to the Blue Jays 8-2 on Opening Day.</p>
<p id="0kwPQV">Let’s start with the good, then get to what happened.</p>
<p id="npRul3">Today was a good reminder that Yandy Diaz is my favorite consistent leadoff hitter in Rays history, specifically because he follows my personal rule for the ideal leadoff hitter: he should be terrifying for opposing starting pitchers to face. </p>
<p id="Tvz15F">Indeed, Diaz also reminded the baseball world he was the AL batting champion with a hammer over the low wall in Left Field, off a change up inside from Berrios that just didn’t bite. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Literally impossible to get off to a better start. <a href="https://t.co/hg9Wmxv0CF">pic.twitter.com/hg9Wmxv0CF</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1773445170366705870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="HuWen2">Zach Eflin was changing speeds and carving up hitters well through most of his first career Opening Day start, only getting stung once on a solo homerun from George Springer (on a pitch left middle up) through the first five innings. </p>
<p id="Bm8ikt">Then came the sixth.</p>
<p id="sRNcgp">First there were two more solo homeruns from Cavan Biggio (on a slider that didn’t dip far enough below the zone), and an absolute blast to deep center field from Vlad Jr (on a cutter that didn’t cut off the plate). And that last one went 450 feet to the netting of the Budwiser deck. Mercy.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vlad Jr. absolutely demolished his first homer of 2024. <br><br>111.8 mph off the bat. 450 feet. <a href="https://t.co/q8oClVB2AL">pic.twitter.com/q8oClVB2AL</a></p>— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmags94/status/1773460720245706855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="4wjrso">Then Eflin loaded the bases on a groundball past Brandon Lowe, a hit by pitch for Justin Turner — who moved from the Red Sox to the Blue Jays this off-sesaon — in the knuckles, and a walk. The Rays got Shawn Armstrong warming up, but it was too late. Alejandro Kirk and Kevin Kiermaier hit back-to-back singles, and Eflin was pulled with 6 earned runs to his name on Opening Day.</p>
<p id="Gbzt2Y">The Rays started to respond in the bottom of the sixth on two balls misplayed by George Springer in right field, first by failing to track a Rene Pinto flyball on the warning track that gave up a double, and then by attempting a dive on a Yandy Diaz hot shot to the outfield that also allowed a double, scoring the Rays second run of the game. </p>
<p id="YraI4L">Berrios then walked Brandon Lowe to make things interesting with no outs, but Randy flew out to center, then Ramirez and Paredes batted into a fielder’s choices, both on nice plays by Bichette. </p>
<p id="Fsb9X5">Shawn Armstrong did no better in the seventh inning (walk, walk, strikeout, double) and two more runs scored. The rest of the game from there didn’t really matter. </p>
<p id="80z3ES">One down, 161 to go!</p>
<p id="aHAor5"><strong>Game Notes</strong></p>
<ul><li id="blAwkF">Jose Berrios’s necklace fell off in the first inning with apparently no consequence for a violation of the pitch clock.</li></ul>
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<ul>
<li id="MK4LRp">The new score bug leaves a gap beneath the banner that I don’t recall being there last year. It feels a little distracting... I’m sure we’ll get used to it?</li>
<li id="0ZScdw">Berrios was dealing until he reached Jose Siri his first time through the lineup. A mistake over the middle of the plate let El Rayo barrel up a single, and he wasted no time stealing second base for the first Rays SB of the season. </li>
<li id="KkJEUt">Stu Sternberg was interviewed in the fourth inning, and let out a “Damn it!” when Brandon Lowe hit into a double play. </li>
<li id="1qkm3U">Sternberg also shed some light on the upgraded artificial turf, noting the coconut husks that replaced the rubber pellets actually need watered on a monthly basis. He also said he had to be talked into the stripes painted into the field that give it a mowed grass appearance.</li>
<li id="aPTx8j">The Rays got a nice test of the new turf on a bounce to Isaac Paredes that he was able to track and barehand the throw to first in an impressive play.</li>
</ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paredes goes barehanded! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaysUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaysUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/qBvODvmghS">pic.twitter.com/qBvODvmghS</a></p>— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallyRays/status/1773457364814803108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<ul>
<li id="bZIL8d">The Rays advertised this was the team’s 18th consecutive sell-out, but the 300 level was closed, making it 25,025 in attendance. </li>
<li id="SUsGDx">Yes, they hung a banner for the 2023 Wild Card appearance. Let’s hope those don’t find their way to follow the team if they get a new stadium some day.</li>
</ul>
https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/28/24114950/zach-eflin-falls-apart-in-the-sixth-on-opening-day-blue-jays-8-rays-2Daniel Russell2024-03-28T16:16:03-04:002024-03-28T16:16:03-04:00GDT: Opening Day!
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<img alt="MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/84xM2PxkablqNdv8c6dAhfV8TBU=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73239860/usa_today_22888324.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/28/24114947/gdt-opening-dayDaniel Russell2024-03-28T12:25:28-04:002024-03-28T12:25:28-04:00Rays announce 2024 Opening Day Roster
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<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rays Up!</p> <p id="mGC6DL">The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their 2024 Opening Day roster: </p>
<p id="87BdQF"><strong>PITCHERS (13): </strong>RHP Jason Adam, LHP Tyler Alexander, RHP Shawn Armstrong, RHP Aaron Civale, LHP Garrett Cleavinger, RHP Chris Devenski, RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Pete Fairbanks, RHP Zack Littell, RHP Phil Maton, RHP Ryan Pepiot, LHP Colin Poche, RHP Jacob Waguespack</p>
<p id="G4Zut7"><strong>CATCHERS (2): </strong>René Pinto, Ben Rortvedt</p>
<p id="NVP8C5"><strong>INFIELDERS (6): </strong>José Caballero, Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe, Curtis Mead, Isaac Paredes, Austin Shenton</p>
<p id="Mh7nHu"><strong>OUTFIELDERS (5):</strong> Randy Arozarena, Richie Palacios, Harold Ramírez, Amed Rosario, Jose Siri</p>
<p id="TNNeAo"><strong>INJURED LIST (9): </strong>INF Jonathan Aranda (10-day), RHP Shane Baz (15-day), RHP Taj Bradley (15-day), OF Jonny DeLuca (10-day), OF Josh Lowe (10-day), LHP Shane McClanahan (60-day), RHP Drew Rasmussen (60-day), LHP Jeffrey Springs (60-day), INF Taylor Walls (10-day)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your 2024 Tampa Bay Rays <a href="https://t.co/3hG1BCc8Nk">pic.twitter.com/3hG1BCc8Nk</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1773376540035735937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="lrovsY">And the following is your Opening Day lineup, with Zach Eflin on the mound:</p>
<ol>
<li id="aQyJdW">Yandy Diaz, 1B</li>
<li id="YghZin">Brandon Lowe, 2B</li>
<li id="UoZUZU">Randy Arozarena, LF</li>
<li id="UlMwYH">Harold Ramirez, DH</li>
<li id="1ccsqO">Isaac Paredes, 3B</li>
<li id="ziuzQx">Richie Palacios, RF</li>
<li id="Tn46Q4">Jose Siri, CF</li>
<li id="WaLucd">Jose Caballero, SS</li>
<li id="G8NgMk">Rene Pinto, C</li>
</ol>
<p id="6oam8F">Welcome to Opening Day! </p>
<p id="xu6rE9">Go Rays</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/28/24113741/rays-announce-2024-opening-day-rosterDaniel Russell2024-03-28T09:02:50-04:002024-03-28T09:02:50-04:00Rays Your Voice: Opening Day Preview
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<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The roster is set, and now it’s time to play ball. </p> <p id="xH35lO">It’s finally here. Opening Day 2024. On this episode of Rays Your Voice, we break down the flurry of moves the Rays made on Wednesday to put the finishing touches on their roster. </p>
<p id="ZfrbNb">While know the 26 names that will be announced at Tropicana Field before today’s game, we discuss how different the team might look in a week, a month, and later this season. </p>
<p id="XDd0pO">To end the show we preview what looks to be a pretty evenly-matched four-game series against Toronto this weekend, starting off with a pitching matchup between Zach Eflin and Jose Berrios. </p>
<div id="J6FSF1"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 152px; position: relative;"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0yfiDETdUF0DiVvO8gUtNJ?utm_source=oembed" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/28/24114466/rays-your-voice-opening-day-previewBrett RutherfordDarby Robinson2024-03-28T07:30:00-04:002024-03-28T07:30:00-04:00The Best and Worst Tampa Bay Rays All-Time against the Toronto Blue Jays
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<img alt="Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wwo8KzfrFBYEz4EFW7Xb5caa_SU=/0x74:3865x2651/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238309/1166828598.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="BJOuaH">The Tampa Bay Rays have taken on their division rival north of the border in a total of 451 regular season games, plus two playoff games (both of which went in the Rays favor). Over those regular season games, the Rays have gone 245-206 (.543%).</p>
<p id="XWeQp5">The Rays overtook the Blue Jays in the all-time series win column back in 2011 and haven’t looked back. Since the start of the 2007 season, the Rays have either tied or won the season series a total of 13 times and have taken the past five season series in a row against Toronto.</p>
<p id="vRZgyM">As for the best (<em>and the worst</em>) individual performers against Toronto, well look now further. Below are the Rays statistical leaders (min. 50 PA) all-time against the Toronto Blue Jays.</p>
<p id="IWscAg"><strong>HOME RUNS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="YrtMsH">Best: 24 - Evan Longoria</li>
<li id="AxXAiO">Worst: 0 - <em>14 tied with zero, Jason Bartlett has the most PA (175)</em>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="J6M593"><strong>AVERAGE</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="QHabrH">Best: .365 - Avisail Garcia</li>
<li id="aJAFqs">Worst: .148 - Asdrubal Cabrera</li>
</ul>
<p id="Sg2OzG"><strong>ON-BASE</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="7qmlJ2">Best: .431 - Casey Kotchman</li>
<li id="riQlwT">Worst: .185 - Asdrubal Cabrera</li>
</ul>
<p id="g2Rm1q"><strong>SLUGGING</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Zqq3BG">Best: .651 - Avisail Garcia</li>
<li id="jYfSLX">Worst: .200 - Reid Brignac</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="pL05FR">
<p id="6DWAbt">Meanwhile, here are the pitchers (<em>min. 50 batters faced</em>)</p>
<p id="XDeq6O"><strong>ERA</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="IBqzHg">Best: 0.64 - Roberto Hernandez (the O.G.)</li>
<li id="NJKBJY">Worst: 9.28 - Trever Miller</li>
</ul>
<p id="S7fRr3"><strong>K%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="DPSL2r">Best: 34.6% - Pete Fairbanks</li>
<li id="JRtNUG">Worst: 1.9% - Steve Trachsel</li>
</ul>
<p id="tNK69S"><strong>BB%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="nK4iBo">Best: 0.0% - Sergio Romo</li>
<li id="9ZsPPG">Worst: 18.2% - Trever Miller</li>
</ul>
<p id="hRyGaS"><strong>HR%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="RdpSbo">Best: 0% - <em>5 tied, Jae-Weong Seo faced the most hitters (83)</em>
</li>
<li id="Ht9Wpu"><em>Worst: 10.0% - Sergio Romo</em></li>
</ul>
<p id="TTVGgl"><strong>REACHED BASE %</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="emgkf4">Best: 22.6% - Ryne Stanek</li>
<li id="Wc9Zbc">Worst: 49.1% - Trever Miller</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="gWymSb">
<p id="Lhd0v3">As for the best overall single-game performances:</p>
<p id="Jq5FYH"><strong>HITTER</strong></p>
<p id="kiMiry">On April 6th, 2016, Steven Souza Jr. had perhaps the best game of his career. Souza made four trips to the plate in an eventual Rays 5-3 victory. Over the course of those trips to the plate, Souza would launch two homeruns, as well as a double and a single, accruing 11 total bases.</p>
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<p id="Ve8uQL"><strong>PITCHER</strong></p>
<p id="GgUhy1">On September 24th, 2000, Travis Harper flummoxed the Toronto Blue Jays. During a 6-0 Devil Rays drubbing of Toronto, Harper pitched a complete game shutout, yielding just two hits and one walk, while striking out three. Although his 85.0 GameScore isn’t the highest in a single-game against Toronto, Harper’s RE24 is the top mark.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/28/24113560/the-best-and-worst-tampa-bay-rays-all-time-against-the-toronto-blue-jaysAdam Sanford2024-03-27T13:54:48-04:002024-03-27T13:54:48-04:00Rays acquire C Ben Rortvedt from Yankees in 3-team deal
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<figcaption>Dude’s jacked</figcaption>
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<p>Tampa Bay trades Top-30 prospect OF Shane Sasaki</p> <p id="8ZYOGo">The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired catcher Ben Rortvedt from the New York Yankees as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Miami Marlins. The Rays will be sending outfielder Shane Sasaki, who was recently voted the 27th best prospect in the system by the Draysbay community, to the Marlins; meanwhile, the Marlins and Yankees are swapping infielder Jon Berti for pitcher John Cruz.</p>
<p id="qoZNBD">Considered an elite defender, Rortvedt has gotten limited playing time over the last two seasons — 2022 with the Twins, and following a trade, 2023 with the Yankees — due to various injuries. He’s got serious power, having topped out at 111 mph EV, and is generally a low-chase, pull hitter from the left side. </p>
<p id="cY0zxY">Rortvedt is out of minor league options, but appeared to be third on the Yankees depth chart after former first rounder Austin Wells and the return of former primary catcher Jose Trevino from injury. <a href="http://NJ.com">NJ.com</a> interviewed Yankees director of catcher Tanner Swanson, a former Twins coach who was an early adopter of coaching one-knee down and pitch framing, on Rortvedt’s situation earlier this week:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="6BCYIJIKX5B5BLUFCXIKJFQKSQ">“I know he can help a major league roster,” Swanson said of Rortvedt. “He’s a major league quality catcher. He’s proven that.”</p>
<p id="6NOLX4PPBNHFTJ2FWN7J42SEUI">“Ben’s a great catcher,” Trevino added. “He’s prepared. He’s ready to go. His work ethic is amazing. He’s got all the tools.”</p>
<p id="EUDAuy">[<a href="https://www.nj.com/yankees/2024/03/ben-rortvedts-days-with-yankees-could-be-numbered-heres-how-hes-handling-it.html">nj.com</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="mp5nT2">In his brief big league experience, Rortvedt has hit .146/.234/.255 with 5 HR over 177 plate appearances split between the Twins and Yankees. Meanwhile, between three levels in the Yankees farm system last season, Rortvedt hit .291/.403/.513 with 6 HR over 139 plate appearances. </p>
<p id="7RrSDX">Shane Sasaki was selected by the Rays in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft. A talented outfielder from Hawaii, Sasaki possessed the kind of tools that scouts dream about. Unfortunately, he has struggled to remain healthy. Sasaki just reached High-A in his third minor league season in 2023, where he hit .301/.375/.465 with 7 HR and collected 12 stolen bases in 64 games. Sasaki would have been Rule-5 eligible at the end of the season.</p>
<p id="vcs3AW">The Rays Opening Day roster is nearly completely fleshed out now as Steve Carney reported earlier today that infielder Austin Shenton has made the team. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Rortvedt indicates that Alex Jackson will in Triple-A Durham.</p>
<p id="pm22Lm">It seems the Rays are still determining whether to have top prospect Curtis Mead or newly acquired Niko Goodrum as their 26th man. The 2024 roster does not need to be finalized until noon tomorrow.</p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/27/24113740/rays-acquire-c-ben-rortvedt-from-yankees-in-3-team-dealAdam SanfordDaniel Russell2024-03-27T12:31:50-04:002024-03-27T12:31:50-04:002024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 29
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<img alt="Tampa Bay Rays v Toronto Blue Jays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NQE_cvAUf36tcsPTAfWYSQmiXQQ=/0x0:7603x5069/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73236514/1701279530.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jacob L | Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LHP Jacob Lopez, who made his debut last season, joins the list.</p> <h2 id="j8874k"><strong>Previous Winner</strong></h2>
<p id="I7A6BD"><strong>Jacob Lopez, LHP</strong><br><em>AA | 2.57 ERA, 28.0 IP (8 G, 6 GS) 45 K, 9 BB</em><br><em>AAA | 2.72 ERA, 79.1 IP (18 GS) 26.0% K, 14.0% BB</em><br><em>MLB | 4.38 ERA, 12.1 IP (4 G, 1 GS) 8 K, 2 BB</em></p>
<p id="Gtgdqp">Lopez missed 2022 for Tommy John surgery, but rode the shuttle to the big leagues when he returned in 2023. Like most system southpaws, he’s a deception lefty with low velo stuff, and his profile is a 2-seam/slider combo that plays in the lower third. He has a change, but lacks a third pitch vs lefties. It’s unlikely the Rays see a starter in his stuff, but his utility as an up-and-down bulk guy will keep him on your television screen this season. As for whether he could be something more, Lopez gets great extension and spins some quality armside run, so who knows what the Rays pitching lab could cook up for him. </p>
<div id="YzjrH8"><div data-anthem-component="table:12231797"></div></div>
<p id="wK5jvk">Jacob Lopez was a pleasant surprise in 2023 when the southpaw returned from Tommy John surgery with solid stuff as a starter. The Rays promoted him and used him as a reliever to fill the gaps in 2023 over four games. The next round adds Cooper Kinney.</p>
<h3 id="7tnpjp"><strong>Rules</strong></h3>
<p id="MYuEkB">There will be a selection of players listed in the comments. To vote, reply to the player’s name with a +1 in the comment. For the best voting experience, <em>filter the comment section by Oldest.</em></p>
<p id="w17TEr">Please vote using whichever criteria you prefer! If you like stats, use stats. If you like scouting reports, reference those reports. There’s no one right way to do this — that’s what makes this exercise fun.</p>
<p id="95shRX"><em>If you want to vote for a player who is not listed</em>, there will be an “Others” comment. Reply to that comment with the name of your selection. This is incredibly rare because there will eventually be up to 10 players to choose from, but it’s possible a player you feel strongly about slipped through the cracks.</p>
<p id="cEFJry"><em>If you want to nominate a player to be included in the next poll</em>, reply to the “Testers” comment with that player’s name. We will often limit the number of players accepted for the next poll to prevent the list from becoming cumbersome. All players in one poll who do not win the vote are automatically included in the next poll — there is no need to re-nominate.</p>
<p id="ddIZli">Voting will go live on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.</p>
<h3 id="cw560F"><strong>Candidates</strong></h3>
<p id="A4oMJV"><strong>Ryan Cermack, OF</strong><br><em>A | .268/.346/.465 (.811 OPS, 129 wRC+) 160 PA, 6 HR, 8 SB</em></p>
<p id="7GJvOY">Drafted No. 71 overall in 2022, Ryan Cermack enters his age-23 season with less than 200 plate appearances in the Rays system. He has the profile of a power hitting center fielder, but fell off prospect lists this off-season after missing three months mid-year with a wrist injury, and although he didn’t miss a beat on his return, there appears to be some skepticism that his hit tool will click as he climbs the ladder. Cermack’s draft slot was acquired alongside Isaac Paredes in the Austin Meadows trade. </p>
<p id="1SeBcQ"><strong>Carlos Colmenarez, SS</strong><br><em>Rk-A | .211/.349/.313 (.661 OPS, 96 wRC+ in A) 370 PA, 6 HR, 10 SB</em></p>
<p id="RK1eek">There was a time Colmenarez was viewed as the heir to Wander Franco’s hype, but that has all but died, and not just because Colmenarez reported stateside <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-get-small-hundreds-of-minor-leaguers-have-shrunk/">4 inches shorter</a> than expected. Viewed by some as the top prospect in the 2020 international recruiting class, and signed for a $3 million bonus, it’s been a rough showing in his professional career. A broken hamate kept Colmenarez almost completely off the field in 2021, and a tendency to strikeout reared its ugly head in 2022 that carried into 2023 with a a 38.2 K%. Accordingly, it will be interesting to see what level the Rays place him in his age-20 season. The organization has an opening at A+ for shortstop, but will his bat be ready? Whatever the result, athletic shortstops hitting from the left side are to be desired in any system, so there’s still hope he might offer value as he climbs the ladder. </p>
<p id="79G01J"><strong>Cooper Kinney, 2B</strong><br><em>A | .274/.341/.393 (.734 OPS, 110 wRC+) 505 PA, 10 HR, 3 SB</em></p>
<p id="vN3POz">Kinney was drafted No. 34 overall by the Rays in 2021 out of high school, signing for north of $2 million, but missed the 2022 season after injuring his shoulder in Spring Training. Because the injury required surgery, Kinney’s first full season of baseball didn’t occur until 2023. Entering his age-21 season, there’s little reason to think his hitting ability and power potential that got him drafted so highly has disappeared. His physical development could go either direction from second base, but his reporting to camp in great shape with improving agility was a positive. His arm was sapped in 2023, but that was to be expected after his injury. </p>
<p id="taANya"><strong>Erick Lara, SS</strong><br><em>DSL | .305/.416/.445 (.861 OPS, 133 wRC+) 154 PA, 2 HR, 5 SB</em></p>
<p id="WCIaFX">The latest teenage trade acquisition for the Rays, Lara is a 17-year old 6’2” shortstop with a loose, left handed swing with feel. With a prospect this far off, it’s an open question as to how his body will fill out, but he’s got a solid approach at the plate and enough bat speed to provide a distant power projection. He’s expected to get the promotion to the complex league for his age-18 season. </p>
<p id="NHRiWx"><strong>Tanner Murray, 2B/3B</strong><br><em>AA | .256/.345/.438 (.783 OPS, 110 wRC+) 200 PA, 5 HR, 0 SB</em></p>
<p id="4l4eNc">In 2022, Murray got a handful of games in the AFL after a strong showing at Class-A (151 wRC+) and an average showing in A+ (100 wRC+), but it’s not clear that the Rays knew what to do with the 2020 4th rounder out of UC Davis. To start 2023 he bounced between A+ and Triple-A, perhaps to meet a roster need, but was injured just 9 games into his season on a play at second base. He returned mid-July and the Rays sent him to Double-A, where he worked a utility-style infield rotation but mostly settled in at second base. He’s got <a href="https://twitter.com/DurhamBulls/status/1650204056176979968">sure hands</a> and good plate discipline, but his swing was under construction in 2023. </p>
<p id="F16iw0"><strong>Kenny Piper, C</strong><br><em>A+ | .216/.333/.458 (.791, 115 wRC+) 270 PA, 13 HR, 3 SB</em><br><em>AA | .293/.389/.610 (.999 OPS, 160 wRC+) 95 PA, 7 HR, 0 SB</em></p>
<p id="bPbGBK">Where most hitters struggle the most when promoted to Double-A, Piper found a power stroke and went on a tear in his age-24 season once promoted to Montgomery, belting 7 HR in less than a hundred plate appearances. Was it simply a hot streak, or a legitimate improvement? We’ll have to find out. As an 18th round draft pick from 2021, Piper will be Rule 5 eligible at the end of this season, so time is of the essence. The draw here is plus power. His long swing is cocked and ready, and has enough speed to belt them to all fields. </p>
<p id="yFC1z5"><strong>Bob Seymour, 1B</strong><br><em>A+ | .310/.391/.556 (.947 OPS, 154 wRC+) 248 PA, 13 HR, 1 SB</em><br><em>AA | .343/.443/.537 (.980 OPS, 165 wRC+) 79 PA, 4 HR, 0 SB</em></p>
<p id="HcCrq8">Once the 2019 ACC player of the year, 25-year old Seymour is a 2021 late round senior our of Wake Forest who has performed well at every level, even though he might be considered a late bloomer. His left handed swing has power to all fields, and didn’t take a step back even when making the transition to Double-A. He’s limited to first base defensively, and is considered a below average runner, but you can’t deny he has impressed with his offense, earning Player of the Month honors in June. </p>
<p id="ijhkco"><strong>Ronny Simón, 2B/SS</strong><br>AA | .240/.323/.391 (.714 OPS, 91 wRC+) 416 PA, 10 HR, 26 SB<br>AAA | .282/.380/.427 (.807 OPS, 107 wRC+) 137 PA, 3 HR, 5 SB</p>
<p id="zKRrdG">Acquired from the Diamondbacks ahead of the 2022 season for Jordon Luplow, Simón gets most of his play at second base, but has potential as a switch-hitting utility player if his defense continues to improve, or could settle in as a solid starter at second base. This off-season, Simón played a starring role for the Dominican’s Toros Del Este, where he led the league in both AVG (.323) and OBP (.432). His best attribute is his speed on the base paths, and entering his age-24 season is starting to develop real<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/ronny-simon-s-two-run-home-run-x1354"> in-game power</a> (not for lack of trying, despite a diminutive size). It’s a high-effort, linear swing, but thanks to some added patience it’s starting to come together for a player who’s been Rule 5 eligible two off-seasons running. </p>
<p id="g8YsRi"><strong>Willy Vasquez, 3B</strong><br><em>A+ | .233/.310/.393 (.703 OPS, 93 wRC+) 472 PA, 16 HR, 17 SB</em></p>
<p id="m1cQwx">In another life, Vasquez is in Caminero’s shoes, but back-to-back seasons hitting under 100 wRC+ have dimmed the bright light of his other tools. Either his long swing needs reinvention, or he needs to prove himself against advanced pitching, as time is running out. Despite some struggles hitting for average at Class- and High-A these last two seasons, a trip to Double-A is next, and an opportunity to prove he’s worth addition to the 40-man roster next year. If he figures it out, the rest of his tools give a major league projection for an infield role. </p>
<p id="8vStxn"><strong>Colby White, RHP</strong><br><em>Rk | 2 ER, 10.1 IP | (11 G) 12 SO, 11 BB</em><br><em>A+ | 2 ER, 5.0 IP (5 G) 4 K, 2 BB</em><br><em>AA | 0 ER, 6.2 IP (8 G) 8 K, 4 BB</em></p>
<p id="WC3bfp">Relief-only prospect White returned from Tommy John surgery (due to an elbow fracture at the ligament) mid-way through 2023 after missing all of the previous season, and in total threw 22.0 IP with a 1.64 ERA across three levels. His potential as a high-leverage reliever is sky high, so much so that Tampa Bay added him to the 40-man roster last off-season to ensure he was not poached, despite being unable to pitch at the time. His game prior to the surgery was a 70-grade rising fastball and an above average power slider, but Marc Topkin reports he now boasts two breaking balls that Kyle Snyder calls, “better off-speed pitches than he’s ever featured before.” </p>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/27/24113570/2024-draysbay-community-prospect-list-vote-for-no-29Daniel Russell2024-03-27T12:15:07-04:002024-03-27T12:15:07-04:00Rays Madness: championship matchup
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Final part!</p> <p id="mzJ8hR">In the spirit of march madness, I created a 16 team bracket with different Rays teams of the past, and have been utilizing a <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/mlb/"><strong>baseball simulator</strong></a> to play out a single elimination bracket and to determine the winner of each matchup.</p>
<p id="SenRF0">The seeding was decided on a ranking of each previous Rays team’s regular season winning percentage, with the 2020 Rays earning the no. 1 seed with a .667 winning percentage. Each game is simulated just one time (higher seeded team bats second), and the results are final.</p>
<p id="Knj6z3">Here are the results so far!</p>
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<p id="13siOs">You can catch up with <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/19/24105229/rays-madness-using-simulators-to-find-the-best-team-in-franchise-history">part one</a>, <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/24/24106897/rays-madness-elite-eight-matchups">part two</a>, and <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/26/24110927/rays-madness-final-four-matchups">part three</a> here!</p>
<p id="5KjZLx">Here we are, after legendary matchups, Cinderella runs, and “march madness” moments, we’re finally down to our final two teams: The 2020 Rays and the 2023 Rays.</p>
<p id="7QR2Cx">The 2020 Tampa Bay Rays are considered (maybe) the best team in franchise history, finishing their season with a 40-20 record, an AL East crown, and the American League Pennant. </p>
<p id="5tMRam">This squad had a pretty easy ride through the first two rounds, dominating both the 2004 Devil Rays and moving comfortably past the 2018 Rays. Things got a little tricky in the final four as they trailed through the first six innings, but a huge home run in the seventh helped propel them to another victory over the 2017 team.</p>
<p id="HRXvTu">With the championship on the line and each team getting their top pitcher back, the 2020 team will be putting Blake Snell on the mound. Snell was an AL Cy Young winner in his time in Tampa Bay and 2020 was another solid year for him, boasting a 3.24 ERA and a 4-2 record in the COVID-shortened season. Though this season is infamous for him being pulled (perhaps) prematurely in game five of the World Series, perhaps he will have a chance to deliver for his team this time.</p>
<p id="E2ccrz">The 2023 Rays come into this championship game on the backs of some electric moments so far in the tournament. Their first round matchup against the 2015 Rays ended in a walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth, and their second round matchup ended with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth against the 2010 Rays. They were able to move comfortably past the 2013 Rays in the final four, however there is certainly a chance we’ll see more fireworks in this matchup.</p>
<p id="svjtaw">This team will be putting Zach Eflin up on the mound for the championship game. Eflin finished 2023 with a career-high 11 wins boasting a 3.50 ERA in the process. Though he wasn’t the ace that team expected going into the year, he held an injury-filled pitching rotation together in the late parts of the season.</p>
<p id="4ngePq"><strong>2023 Rays Lineup</strong></p>
<ol>
<li id="awjg0k">Wander Franco</li>
<li id="tPv9fF">Randy Arozarena</li>
<li id="9ouMe6">Yandi Diaz</li>
<li id="T0z1zd">Josh Lowe</li>
<li id="1ByuYY">Jose Siri</li>
<li id="6hmU4O">Isaac Paredes</li>
<li id="tg8k9J">Harold Ramirez</li>
<li id="1hJAUT">Brandon Lowe</li>
<li id="GiahhN">Christian Bethancourt</li>
</ol>
<p id="MqbBSE"><strong>2020 Rays Lineup</strong></p>
<ol>
<li id="ee0Gu4">Kevin Kiermaier</li>
<li id="QPKt4F">Yandi Diaz</li>
<li id="XOqDra">Brandon Lowe</li>
<li id="cj0yeD">Randy Arozarena</li>
<li id="mYpCZ5">Willy Adames</li>
<li id="h3q4BA">Joey Wendle</li>
<li id="1iOIAk">Ji-Man Choi</li>
<li id="xHpbY4">Yoshi Tsutsugo </li>
<li id="oNpts5">Michael Perez</li>
</ol>
<p id="JB1SlW"><strong>Bottom of the first: 2023 - 0 2020 - 0</strong></p>
<p id="HZl48X">The 2020 squad wasted no time boasting their bats in this one, with Lowe drilling a single into centerfield and immediately finding his way to third on a single by Arozarena. With two outs and runners on the corners and no outs, Eflin would prove his worth as a pitcher and strike out Adames to retire the side with no damage to the scoreboard.</p>
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<p id="L4DFMm"><strong>Bottom of the fourth: 2023 - 0, 2020 - 0</strong></p>
<p id="qFsIeK">After some relatively uninteresting innings of baseball, we find ourselves in the bottom of the fourth still scoreless.</p>
<p id="yNlw91">It wouldn’t take long into this frame for Arozarena to finally break the tie, hitting a home run that just cleared the short wall in left field to make it 1-0. Wendle would respond two at bats later with a home run of his own to make it a 2-0 game entering the fifth inning.</p>
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<p id="rUaNNM"><strong>Top of the fifth: 2023 - 0, 2020 - 2</strong></p>
<p id="pAzf2i">Following a poor fourth inning for the 2023 squad, Paredes would ease tensions in his dugout with a towering home run over the centerfield wall to cut the lead in half.</p>
<p id="SOqKAm">Snell wouldn’t allow much more damage however, as he struck out the next two batters to hold onto the 2-1 lead through five innings.</p>
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<p id="NUYV6z"><strong>Top of the sixth: 2023 - 1, 2020 - 2</strong></p>
<p id="z7tiTe">Following a much needed home run in the fifth inning, the 2023 Rays found themselves in about as good a situation you could ever ask for in a championship game. </p>
<p id="qnCwKY">A single by Lowe would get this inning started for the group, followed by another single by Bethancourt which moved Lowe to third base. A randy Arozarena walk two at bats later would load the bases with just one out, an extremely favorable situation for the 2023 squad.</p>
<p id="XzfIDQ">With two premier hitters due up, the 2020 group looked to be in a scary situation. However, Snell would once again pull through, striking out both Diaz and Lowe to get out of the inning without allowing a single run. Madness!</p>
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<cite>Tampa Bay Rays</cite>
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<p id="qMZ1Ub"><strong>Bottom of the seventh: 2023 - 1, 2020 - 2</strong></p>
<p id="wvWrA8">With the 2023 group unable to put together a scoring run, the 2020 Rays were in need of some insurance runs as Snell’s day on the mound was finished. </p>
<p id="7lCzDg">Tsutsugo would try to gets something going with a two-out single to right field. Perez follows up with a ball in the gap, and from the jump Tsutsugo is running full speed around the bases. Blowing by his third base coach telling him to stop, Tsutsugo ran full speed home and was called safe on a bang-bang play at the plate, extending the lead 3-1.</p>
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<p id="CcHb2h"><strong>Top of the eighth: 2023 - 1, 2020 - 3</strong></p>
<p id="8JxN6H">With a two-run lead still in their way and not much time to get back into the game, the 2023 squad is desperate for a late-game run to put them back into this game.</p>
<p id="k5iBQn">Franco would get things started for his team with a single to centerfield, and another single by Arozarena suddenly puts the go-ahead run to the plate with just one out. A sacrifice fly by Diaz and suddenly the 2023 team is 90 feet away from this being a one run game.</p>
<p id="x5fJX6">Lowe, however, was not interested in cutting the deficit to one, as he connected perfectly with a ball that sailed far over the outfielders heads, and into the blue seats, a monster home run to completely swing the momentum of the game and give the 2023 Rays a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. Santa Maria!</p>
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<p id="qtohqN"><strong>Bottom of the ninth: 2023 - 4, 2020 - 3</strong></p>
<p id="AG7HAW">This is it, down one run with a championship on the line in the bottom of the ninth, every baseball fan’s dream.</p>
<p id="pFQGF4">Wendle and Choi go down rather unceremoniously with ground outs, and suddenly the 2020 squad is one out away from being runner-up, yet again.</p>
<p id="4lCCGm">Back-to-back walks by Tsutsugo and Perez would make things interesting, though, with the winning run now on first base and the top of the order up to bat.</p>
<p id="KKI5Qi">Kiermaier would then smoke a single to left field, sending Tsutsugo around the bases. He would take roughly three strides towards home plate before realizing he wasn’t going to make it, and a poor throw by Bethancourt is the only thing preventing him from being tagged out at third; nevertheless, the bases are loaded with two outs and Diaz up to bat.</p>
<p id="0bCEhY">The 2023 team would send Pete Fairbanks into the game for this moment, creating perhaps the most storybook final at-bat you could conjure in this tournament: two legendary Rays facing off in the bottom of the ninth with the championship on the line. </p>
<p id="MYidvl">Yandi Diaz would take a swing at a low fastball, sending all the baserunners around the bases as fast as they could run, as Jose Siri runs back towards the centerfield wall, he quickly finds himself at the warning track. A leap up to the wall was a last ditch effort to save the game, but it came up short and the ball flew over his glove, ending the game in walk-off fashion, as Diaz ends the tournaments with a story book <em>grand slam</em> to seal a championship for the 2020 Rays. </p>
<p id="IEUMLo">Madness! Madness! Madness!</p>
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<p id="umhIR2"><strong>Championship MVP: Yandi Diaz</strong></p>
<p id="9VR51s">It’s hard to argue against the future AL batting champion here. While he may not have contributed much in this game offensively until the final hour, his grand slam saved this 2020 team from yet another crushing defeat in their final game.</p>
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<cite>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2024/3/27/24111957/rays-madness-championship-matchupDrew Johnson