Mar 19
Two years ago on Rays Index it was down to Edwin Jackson or JP Howell for the final spot in the rotation.
The Hangover: Edwin Jackson Or J. P. Howell For The 5th Spot [Rays Index]
Archive for March 19th, 2009
Mar 19
Now that it looks like the Rays have decided to start David Price in the minor leagues, many are wondering how long it will be until Price makes the permanent jump to the big leagues. But just like many were surprised to learn that Price wasn’t a lock for the opening day roster, many will be surprised if Price is not the first starting pitcher promoted from Durham.
We are starting to wonder if Wade Davis will be the Rays’ first choice to join the Rays rotation at some point this season.
Price and Davis rank among the top pitching prospects in baseball. But while Price has a stronger pedigree and a higher upside, Davis may be the more polished pitcher right now.
Earlier this week we learned that Price was not only still working on his third pitch (the changeup), but he may have lost the touch on his second pitch (the slider). Meanwhile, Davis entered camp and looked impressive from day 1.
There are also concerns about how many innings the Rays want to put on Price’s arm this season. Price only worked 129 innings last season, while Davis may be ready for the workload that comes from a major league rotation, having worked 160 inning in 2008. In fact, Price has only worked 383 innings in four years since high school, while Davis already has 608 innings as a pro. Price has 14 starts above single-A. Davis has 42.
Many have speculated (us included) that Davis could fill the same role in 2009 that Price filled last season. That is, a late-season call-up that is used out of the bullpen. But if Davis is the more polished pitcher and continues to prove that he is ready, he very well may be in the rotation by July and Price will once again be a late-season call-up working out of the bullpen.
David Price in the Rays rotation in 2008…What once seemed like a foregone conclusion now has a chance of being delayed until 2010.
Mar 19
David Price’s glove made the news this off-season when it was revealed that he had the phrase “Live Like Nate” stitched into the leather. This was the same glove Price was wearing when he closed out game 7 against the Red Sox in the ALCS (Price used a black glove in spring training last year).
The other night, we were watching the Grapefruit League game between the Rays and the Pirates in which Price made his second spring appearance. The Pirates TV crew brought up a point that we had not considered previously. Price’s glove may be illegal.
We don’t have the exact quote from the broadcast, but the topic of concern was the color of Price’s glove. In short, the announcers seemed sure that at some point an opposing manager is going to ask the home plate umpire to rule whether Price’s glove is too similar in color to the baseball.
Specifically, the announcers were referring to rule 1.15(a)
The pitcher’s glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner.
Well. The glove is neither white nor gray. It appears to be a very light tan (here is a closer view). But the rule leaves enough to the umpire’s interpretation. And a ruling could depend on the umpire that is asked.
We have to think that the color of the glove is light enough that King David might be risking an unnecessary in-game distraction and he might want to keep a darker model laying around just in case.
Friend’s life inspires Price [Rays Index]
Mar 19
What does Evan Longoria do when he is not hitting home runs, making Gold Glove plays at third base and winning the AL Rookie of the Year award?
No. Besides that.
He works out. And now thanks to Men’s Fitness magazine, you too can use Dirtbag’s workout and become a sex symbol in only eight weeks!
One of the best bits of advice Evan Longoria received during his rookie year came from veteran teammate Eric Hinske: Do some sort of exercise first thing in the morning, every morning.
“Whether riding a bike for 10 minutes or getting a 30-minute workout, never shut yourself down,” says Longoria, who went on to become the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year. He continued his morning maintenance during the offseason when he also hit the gym three times a week, working through a series of exercises that improve strength, agility, and core strength.
Eight weeks! And then maybe you too will have more success doing the other thing Longoria does when he is not playing baseball.
Evan Longoria’s Eight-Week Plan [Men's Fitness]
Mar 19
MVP! MVP! MVP! Marc Topkin Once Again Stirs The Pot
Jason Bartlett, Jason Bartlett is looking for glove, Marc Topkin 12 Comments »The local basbeall writers took a lot of heat when Jason Bartlett was voted the team MVP last season (we actually kinda supported the idea). And Marc Topkin took a lot of grief when he wrote Jason Bartlett’s name on his AL MVP ballot as the fifth most valuable American Leaguer in 2008.
Well, Topkin is back in 2009 and he brought his fastball. He once again addresses the issue of Bartlett’s MVPness, but this time he brought more than a laptop. He brought the big gun, Joe Maddon.
For any of the Internet bloggers or hundreds of message board posters who had issues with shortstop Jason Bartlett’s selection as the Rays’ most valuable player last season, manager Joe Maddon has a few choice words of his own.
“We don’t win last year without him playing shortstop. Period,” Maddon said Wednesday. “It’s pretty simple — it just doesn’t happen.”
And he brought the Cat Carlos Pena.
“You can’t always go to a number,” first baseman Carlos Peña said. “I go on plays made. And he changes the game. Instead of a base hit, it’s an out. Instead of a double, it’s a single. Things like that are huge for the success of the team, and with his defense he contributes in such a substantial way. So he’s crucial to our success.”
So there you have it. Topkin just brought some big guns to a knife fight. Your turn internet bloggers. Whatcha got?
Tampa Bay Rays say shortstop Bartlett has value that is hard to measure [St. Pete Times]
Mar 19
[THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Brignac’s Bat, No WBC For Longoria And Shawn Bleepin’ Camp
BJ Upton, Evan Longoria, Jason Hammel, Reid Brignac 8 Comments »
Time to bring back the GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
THE GOOD: Reid Brignac. Slowly but surely, the slick fielding Cajun’s bat is starting to come to life. Yesterday he hit a 3-run home run in the 7-run 5th inning, his 3rd of the spring. He is now hitting .222 which considering where he started is not bad at all…The Bullpen. Starting with Joe Nelson in th 5th inning, 5 relievers, at least 4 of whom figure to be on the opening day roster, did not allow a base runner until a triple off of Lance Cormier in the 9th inning. Combined, they worked 5 shutout innings, giving up the 1 hit, striking out 4 and walking none…Willy Aybar. Any complaints about Aybar getting some real games under his belt in the WBC? He was 3-3 yesterday and looks to be the epitome of being in “mid-season form.”
THE BAD: Jason Hammel. Hammel struggled early, giving up 3 runs in the first 2 innings, but settled down to pitch 2 scoreless innings. He allowed 5 hits, including a home run and a walk. He struck out 1. He also allowed 3 stolen bases. Joe Maddon was not worried saying that with Hammel is is “just a bunch of little things that you can clean up pretty easily.”
THE TELLING: Willy Aybar started at second base…Evan Longoria was sent home with a “gastrointestinal bug.” On the morning after St. Patrick’s Day? Did the bug have long blonde hair and come with green beer?
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Today’s spring training matchup with the Cardinals will be broadcast on the MLB Network.
- During the WBC contest last night between USA and Venezuela, the announcers indicated that Evan Longoria would not be joining the US squad to replace the injured Chipper Jones, and that manager Davey Johnson would go with the squad that is there.
- Last night we appeared on the Mike Silva New York Baseball Digest radio show. You can download the podcast here. [NY Baseball Digest Podcast]
- BJ Upton played the outfield in a minor league game but did not have any at bats. Joe Maddon said Upton “came through it well” and “felt good.” Upton is to get some at bats today in a minor league game. [St. Pete Times]
- Dennis Maffezzoli of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune spoke with Jason Hammel who says he has a newfound confidence and that he is “throwing the ball with authority” this spring. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
- David Chalk continues his countdown of “The Top 177 Devil Rays Ever” and he is up to #135, Shawn Bleepin’ Camp. Huh wha?!? This is the first time when we must begrudgingly disagree with Mr. Chalk. If the list is “The Top 177 Devil Rays Ever,” Shawn Bleepin’ Camp shouldn’t be any higher than 178. [Bugs and Cranks]
- The Political Whore takes a look at what impact the economy may have on Rays attendance which is up 40% this spring. [The Political Whore]
