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Meet the 2015 Rays roster:

 
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) doubles to right center in the second inning during the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Thursday, April 17, 2014.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) doubles to right center in the second inning during the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Thursday, April 17, 2014.
Published April 5, 2015

What player is most critical to the team's 2015 success? Times staff writer Marc Topkin ranks 'em (x-disabled list; roster as of Friday):

1. Evan Longoria, 3b

Healthy, focused, embracing leadership role, cognizant of '14 shortcomings, poised for huge season Rays certainly need.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
3 R-R 6-2/210 29

2014 statS

Avg. RBI HR SB
.253 91 22 5

2. Chris Archer, sp

Embracing promotion to top of rotation due to injuries, counted on heavily to work deep, needs to keep expectations in check.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
22 R-R 6-3/190 26

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
194.2 10-9 3.33 173

3. Rene Rivera, c

A definite upgrade over '14 personnel, though not much track record. Among most irreplaceable players in lineup.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
44 R-R 5-10/215 31

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.252 44 11 0

4. Steven Souza Jr., of

Has potential to be the guy Wil Myers wasn't, the big bat in middle of order. Good start will be key in first real MLB opportunity.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
20 R-R 6-4/225 25

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.130 2 2 0

5. x-Alex Cobb, sp

First-month absence is a big blow given he is new leader of vaunted rotation. Key is making rest of the season count.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
53 R-R 6-3/205 27

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
166.1 10-9 2.87 149

6. Desmond Jennings, of

Sounds like same old story, but Jennings having long-awaited breakout season could be huge swing factor for team.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
8 R-R 6-2/210 28

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.244 36 10 15

7. Kevin Kiermaier, of

Game-changing defender, with some lapses. Bigger concern: .315 avg., .917 OPS 1st 2 full months; .205/.596 OPS last 2.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
39 L-R 6-1/215 24

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.263 35 10 5

8. Brad Boxberger, rp

Late-inning trustworthiness, ability to get out lefties and righties makes him most valuable reliever, likely closer in McGee's absence.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
26 R-R 6-2/225 26

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
64.2 5-2 2.37 104

9. Asdrubal Cabrera, ss

Won SS job based on strong spring showing; sure-handedness and range are key. Hitting 3rd in front of Longoria, bat will be, too.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
13 B-R 6-0/205 29

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.241 61 14 10

10. James Loney, 1b

Silky smooth glove makes other infielders better; absence of power can be offset by high average, RBI production.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
21 L-L 6-3/235 30

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.290 69 9 4

11. John Jaso, dh

Catching career on hold due to concussions, now valued primarily for bat and, as likely leadoff hitter vs. RHP, on-base pct.

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No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
28 L-R 6-2/205 31

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.264 40 9 2

12. x-Drew Smyly, sp

Not as good as showed after July David Price trade (3-1, 1.70), but anything close is good enough after return from shoulder injury.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
33 L-L 6-3/190 25

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
153 9-10 3.24 133

13. x-Jake McGee, rp

Emerged impressively as closer in '14, but December elbow surgery knocks him out a month and maybe into closing committee.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
57 L-L 6-3/230 28

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
71.1 5-2 1.89 90

14. Jake Odorizzi, sp

Impressive rebound after rough start to rookie season, key now to not try to do too much given other absences in the rotation.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
23 R-R 6-2/190 25

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
168 11-13 4.13 174

15. Kevin Jepsen, rp

Veteran acquisition coming off career-best year with Angels, will be counted on heavily, and in higher leverage role.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
40 R-R 6-3/235 30

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
65 0-2 2.63 75

16. x-Matt Moore, sp

Lesser role in '15 with projected "Juneish" return from Tommy John elbow surgery; in future is near top of rotation, and list.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
55 L-L 6-3/230 25

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
10 0-2 2.70 6

17. Logan Forsythe, inf

Utilityman moves into starting 2B job to open season; needs to maintain improved offense after brutal '14 start.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
11 R-R 6-1/205 28

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.223 26 6 2

18. Erasmo Ramirez, sp

Acquired from M's to fill open rotation spot, likely to stick because he's out of options. Return to 2012 form helps.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
30 R-R 5-11/200 24

2014 st ats

IP W-L ERA So
75.1 1-6 5.26 60

19. Nathan Karns, sp

Solid spring led to Game 2 start, but question is staying consistent enough to keep rotation spot when others return.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
51 R-R 6-5/225 27

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
12 1-1 4.50 13

20. Grant Balfour, rp

Pitching idea that solid finish to bad '14 season is a sign of better things to come; with $7 million salary, needs to be.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
50 R-R 6-2/200 37

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
62.1 2-6 4.91 57

21. Ernesto Frieri, rp

The other veteran reliever seeking return to form after poor '14 performance; saved 37 games in 2013 for Angels.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
43 R-R 6-2-205 29

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
41.2 1-4 7.34 48

22. x-Nick Franklin, inf

Rough spring, losing out on SS job then straining oblique. When well will be lefty-swinging half of 2B platoon, with pop.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
2 B-R 6-1/190 24

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.160 6 1 2

23. Jeff Beliveau, rp

McGee injury increases profile as he opens in majors for 1st time, and pressure, too, as top lefty; is out of options.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
38 L-L 6-1/190 28

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
24 0-0 2.63 28

24. x-Alex Colome, sp

Visa delay and spring pneumonia put him behind, but with no options will be given chance to pitch meaningful innings.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
37 R-R 6-2/185 26

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
23.2 2-0 2.66 13

25. Bobby Wilson, c

As much as Rays plan to ride Rivera, they need a solid backup, and Wilson has experience and defensive reputation.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
60 R-R 6-0/220 31

2014 minor league stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.267 38 3 0

26. Brandon Guyer, of

Backup with ability to play all three positions, provide right-handed power and speed, but tends to get hurt too often.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
5 R-R 6-2/200 29

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.266 26 3 6

27. Tim Beckham, inf

Top '08 draft pick gets long-awaited opportunity at least in a backup role; glove is ready but needs to hit to stick.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
1 R-R 6-0/195 25

2014 minor league stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.295 8 1 1

28. Kirby Yates, rp

Triple-A closer made decent showing in less-leveraged role after June big-league debut, consistency will be key.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
49 L-R 5-10/170 28

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
36 0-2 3.75 42

29. David DeJesus, of/dh

Injury-plagued veteran has no real role but is owed $6 million and will be kept around in hopes they can make a trade.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
7 L-L 5-11/190 35

2014 stats

Avg. RBI HR SB
.248 19 6 0

30. Matt Andriese, sp/rp

Bumped from No. 4 slot in rotation with Ramirez trade, can help from pen then take 1-2 turns as fifth starter.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
35 R-R 6-3/215 25

2014 minor league stats

IP W-L ERA So
162.1 11-8 3.77 129

31. Steve Geltz, rp

Showed some potential during September '14 callup, has averaged one-plus strikeout per inning in minors, avoids bats.

No. B/T Ht/Wt Age
54 R-R 5-10/170 27

2014 stats

IP W-L ERA So
8.1 0-1 3.24 14