Projecting The Rays 2014 Lineup And Rotation

Last week Baseball America posted their list of the top 10 Rays prospects. In the same post, they also projected the Rays lineup, rotation and closer for the 2014 season…

C — John Jaso
1B — Ben Zobrist
2B — Sean Rodriguez
3B — Evan Longoria
SS — Reid Brignac
LF — Drew Vettleson
CF — Desmond Jennings
RF — B.J. Upton
DH — Josh Sale

SP — David Price
SP — Jeremy Hellickson
SP — Matt Moore
SP — Jeff Niemann
SP — Wade Davis
Closer — Jake McGee

Before we critique this list, let’s keep in mind that they can only use players in the Rays organization. Obviously there will be numerous trades and free agent signings between now and 2014.

Still, there are a couple of problems…

• The inclusion of 2010 draftees Drew Vettleson and Josh Sale: Having those two in the starting lineup by 2014 is a bit optimistic considering how slow the Rays move their prospects along. It is not impossible, but we would be surprised.
• BJ Upton: Upton will be a free agent following the 2012 season. We’d say the chances of Bossman still being with the Rays in 2014 are about 1%.

Otherwise, it is nice to see just how much of the core lineup could still be around in 2014, including the entire infield and four out of the six big league starting pitchers.