Who are these new Rays, and where did they come from?

PORT CHARLOTTE — Ryan Yarbrough used to be just a kid sitting in the stands at Tropicana Field with a Scott Kazmir jersey and no more than a scant big-league dream.

That was before he transferred from Lakeland's George Jenkins High to Winter Haven's All Saints' Academy. Before he pitched at Gainesville's Santa Fe Community College, then Old Dominion. Before he was a fourth-round draft pick by the Mariners in 2014 and traded to the Rays in the 2017 Drew Smyly deal that looks better every day.

"I can't remember my first game, but my most memorable one was James Shields throwing like a 10-strikeout game," Yarbrough said, "He was really feeling it. That was something. That really sticks out.

"Seeing all those guys they had, like (Carl) Crawford, B.J. (Upton), when Rocco (Baldelli) was playing. So it's kind of surreal seeing him around now (as a coach), a guy you watched growing up, being able to see him in the clubhouse. It's pretty cool."

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There's going to be a whole lot of cool for Yarbrough and Yonny Chirinos, two pitchers who realized those dreams by winning spots in the Tampa Bay bullpen and are set to make their major-league debuts with the season starting Thursday.

Both excelled at Triple-A Durham last season, but maybe not enough to win a starter's job. Both benefitted from the Rays' plans to carry four multi-inning relievers in support of a four-man rotation. Both plan to make the most of it.

Further introductions will be necessary this week, as six others slated to be on the 25-man opening day roster also will be playing their first game as Rays:

First baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Joey Wendle, starter Nathan Eovaldi,  outfielders Carlos Gomez, Tampa-raised Denard Span and  whoever wins the fifth spot, currently between prospect Johnny Field and veteran Brandon Snyder.

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There's three other pitchers who may be somewhat unfamiliar, having had limited time with the Rays last year — Andrew Kittredge, Chaz Roe and Sergio Romo.

This is likely just the start of the parade of new faces, as the Rays are expected to shuttle through a crew of pitchers and eventually transition to a core of young position players, but we need to start somewhere with who these guys are and where they came from:

RHP Yonny Chirinos
Is: 24-year-old, 6-2 Venezuelan who is most effective getting ground balls with a heavy sinker. … Was 12-5, 2.74 at Durham, earning Rays minor-league pitcher of the year honors. … Taught himself to cook, making arepas and dinners of chicken, rice and plantains. … Is not related to former Rays C Robinson Chirinos.
From: Signed with Rays at age 18 for $10,000.

1B C.J. Cron
Is: 28-year-old from a baseball family – dad Chris played in the majors and is a minor-league coach, brother Kevin is a minor-leaguer with Arizona, cousin Chad Moeller played 11 years in majors. … Has hit 11-plus homers in all four big-league seasons with no more than 407 at-bats in any. … Was 17^th pick of 2011 draft.
From: Acquired Feb. 17 in trade from Angels for minor-league INF Luis Rengifo.

RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Is: 28-year-old who grew up in Alvin, Texas, home to even harder-throwing Nolan Ryan. … Recovering from Aug. 19, 2016, second Tommy John surgery, also May 27, 2007, while in high school. … Was an 11^th round pick of Dodgers in 2008. … Also pitched for Marlins and Yankees.
From: Signed as a free agent in February 2017 with plan to spend year rehabbing and return to action in 2018.

OF Carlos Gomez
Is: 32-year-old Dominican who has played parts of 11 seasons in majors, with Mets, Twins, Brewers, Astros, Rangers. … Combo of 89 homers and 122 steals since 2013 is most in majors. … Known for aggressive play and stylish manner that can irritate opponents.
From: Signed as a free agent March 3.

OF Denard Span
Is: 34-year-old who grew up in Tampa, helped win a state baseball title at Tampa Catholic and rooted for the Rays, especially Rocco Baldelli. … Married 2014 U.S. Olympic women's hockey medalist Anne Schleper. .. Has played 10 seasons in majors with Twins, Nats, Giants.
From: Acquired Dec. 20, 2017, from Giants with prospect INF Christian Arroyo, minor-league pitchers Matt Krook and Stephen Woods in exchange for 3b Evan Longoria in kind of a big deal.

2B Joey Wendle
Is: 27-year-old who grew up in eastern Pennsylvania a Phillies fan. … Earned a bachelor's degree in pre-physical therapy from West Chester (Pa.) University, where he hit. 399 as a senior. … Known for his excellent glove work.
From: Acquired Dec. 11, 2017, from A's, who had DFA'd him, for minor-league C Jonah Heim. A's got him in Dec. 8. 2014, trade for Brandon Moss from Indians, who made him a sixth-round pick in 2012.

LHP Ryan Yarbrough
Is: 26-year-old 6-5, 201-pounder who impressed with his spring strike-throwing, mixing a fastball, changeup, cutter and slider. … Was 13-6, 3.43 at Durham. … Played with Mallex Smith at Santa Fe.
From: Acquired Jan. 11, 2017, from Mariners with OF Mallex Smith and minor-league INF Carlos Vargas for LHP Drew Smyly, who got hurt in spring training and never pitched for Seattle.
   
Also worth mentioning
RHP Andrew Kittredge, 28, was acquired from Mariners Nov. 18, 2016, with minor-league 1B Dalton Kelly and RHP Dylan Thompson for INF/OF Richie Shaffer and INF/OF Taylor  Motter. … RHP Chaz Roe, 31, acquired from Braves July 18, 2017, for cash and was a September call-up, having pitched previously for D-backs, Orioles, Yankees, Braves. … RHP Sergio Romo, 35, was re-signed as a free agent Feb. 13 after being acquired July 22, 2017, from Dodgers, having won three World Series rings with Giants, striking out Miguel Cabrera for final out.

Marc Topkin can be reached at mtopkin@tampabay.com Follow @TBTimes_Rays