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 |