What players will be most critical to the team’s 2019 success? Tampa Bay Times staff writer Marc Topkin ranks ’em:
1. Blake Snell, lhp
Cy guy gives Rays an advantage in every game he starts, also allows them to bank bullpen innings to make opener plan work.
NO. 4 HT/WT 6-4/215 AGE 26
2018 STATS — IP 180.2 W-L 21-5 ERA 1.89 K: 221
2. Tommy Pham, of
Drive and intensity are obvious. Production even close to post-trade levels (1.071 OPS) would put him in league MVP talk.
NO. 29 HT/WT 6-1/215 AGE 30
2018 STATS — Avg. .275 HR 21 RBI 63 SB 15
3. Kevin Kiermaier, of
No question how much better Rays are when he is in centerfield and hitting. Big question is how often he can be there.
NO. 39 HT/WT 6-1/210 AGE 28
2018 STATS — Avg. .217 HR 7 RBI 29 SB 10
4. Charlie Morton, rhp
Hired at hefty price ($30 million over two years) to be the second sure thing in rotation, with health likely the key issue.
NO. 50 HT/WT 6-5/215 AGE 35
2018 STATS — IP 167.0 W-L 15-3 ERA 3.13 K 201
5. Jose Alvarado, lhp
In a no-roles bullpen (assuming no Craig Kimbrel), looks to be top choice for closing, or, at least highest-leverage, duty.
NO. 46 HT/WT 6-2/245 AGE 23
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Explore all your options2018 STATS — IP 64.0 W-L 1-6 ERA 2.39 K 80
6. Brandon Lowe, inf/of
Much is expected from the little guy with power and a new contract, and he’ll get lots of chances at first, second, outfield and DH.
NO. 8 HT/WT 5-10/185 AGE: 24
2018 STATS — Avg. .233 HR 6 RBI 25 SB: 2
7. Willy Adames, ss
Though infield depth is plentiful, is definitely best option at shortstop, and has potential to impact lineup with power.
NO. 1 HT/WT: 6-0/205 AGE: 23
2018 STATS — Avg.: .278 HR: 10 RBI: 34 SB: 6
8. Mike Zunino, c
Ranks this high in part because of what he does at and behind plate, and also because of where they’d be without him.
NO. 10 HT/WT 6-2/235 AGE 27
2018 STATS — Avg. .201 HR 20 RBI 44 SB 0
9. Diego Castillo, rhp
Being counted on, like Ryne Stanek, to emerge as reliable high-leverage option, though could again have opener duty.
NO. 63 HT/WT 6-3/250 AGE 25
2018 STATS — IP 56.2 W-L 4-2 ERA 3.18 K 65
10. Ryne Stanek, rhp
Served as primary ’18 opener and has limited closing time in minors, but will have dual responsibility with growth room.
NO. 55 HT/WT 6-4/255 AGE 27
2018 STATS — IP 66.1 W-L 2-3 ERA 2.98 K 81
11. Ji-Man Choi, 1b/dh
2018 small sample size splits vs. RHPs (.908 OPS) led to a pass on bigger bats, but there’s Lowe (Brandon, Nate) options.
NO. 26 HT/WT 6-1/250 AGE 27
2018 STATS — Avg. 263 HR 10 RBI 32 SB 2
12. Joey Wendle, inf
Even without matching 2018 breakout success, is a key piece swinging lefty and able to play second, third, short, outfield.
NO. 18 HT/WT 6-1/200 AGE 28
2018 STATS — Avg. .300 HR 7 RBI 61 SB 16
13. Daniel Robertson, inf
Was in team MVP talk until late-July season-ending injury, is slick fielder at multiple positions with power potential.
NO. 28 HT/WT 5-11/200 AGE 25
2018 STATS — Avg. .262 HR 9 RBI 34 SB 2
14. Matt Duffy, 3b
Spring hamstring issue aside, projected to bring veteran presence to young lineup, with steady bat, ability to play outfield.
NO. 5 HT/WT 6-2/190 AGE 28
2018 STATS — Avg. .294 HR 4 RBI 44 SB 12
15. Austin Meadows, of
Lefty hitter in rightfield platoon, with ability to also play left and center, will get opportunity to show touted five-tool skills.
NO. 17 HT/WT 6-3, 220 AGE 23
2018 STATS — Avg. .287 HR 6 RBI 17 SB 5
16. Tyler Glasnow, rhp
Third starter, like ex-Pirate mate Meadows, has clear path to majors. Question is consistency, with residual bullpen impact.
NO. 20 HT/WT 6-8/230 AGE 25
2018 STATS — IP 111.2 W-L 2-7 ERA 4.27 K 136
17. Yandy Diaz, inf
Much expected given high cost (Jake Bauers, $5 million) with opportunity on corners, but had slow spring start.
NO. 2 HT/WT 6-2/215 AGE 27
2018 STATS — Avg. .312 HR 1 RBI 15 SB 0
18. Chaz Roe, rhp
Most experienced member of late-inning relief corps, but has been more of a specialist featuring Frisbee-like slider.
NO. 52 HT/WT 6-5/190 AGE 32
2018 STATS — IP 50.1 W-L 1-3 ERA 3.58 K 53
19. Avisail Garcia, of
Strong spring good sign of rebound from poor, painful ’18 season will play vs. lefties, compete for ABs vs. righties.
NO. 24 HT/WT 6-4/250 AGE 27
2018 STATS — Avg. .236 HR 19 RBI 49 SB 3
20. Michael Perez, c
Lefty hitter will get short side of job share with righty swinging Mike Zunino, but still plenty of opportunity following ’18 debut.
NO. 7 HT/WT 5-10 AGE 26
2018 STATS — Avg. .284 HR 1 RBI 11 SB 0
21. Yonny Chirinos, rhp
Worked some behind opener, has higher upside as true starter than Ryan Yarbrough. Consistency is a concern.
NO. 72 HT/WT 6-2/240 AGE 25
2018 STATS — IP 89.2 W-L 5-5 ERA 3.51 K 75
22. Ryan Yarbrough, lhp
Biggest beneficiary of opener strategy with 14 of 16 wins in relief and 1-run lower ERA, facing some lefty-laden lineups.
NO. 48 HT/WT 6-5/210 AGE 28
2018 STATS — IP 147.1 W-L 16-6 ERA 3.91 K 128
23. Wilmer Font, rhp
Dazzled in Rays debut until season-ending lat strain but had slow spring. Will be used as opener and multi-inning reliever.
NO. 62 HT/WT 6-4 AGE 28
2018 STATS — IP 44.0 W-L 2-3 ERA 5.93 K 36
24. Jalen Beeks, lhp
Ex-Red Sox fills role as needed third long reliever, could also be used as opener, resiliency to bounce back a key.
NO. 68 HT/WT 5-11 AGE 25
2018 STATS — IP 50.2 W-L 5-1 ERA 5.52 K 42
25. Emilio Pagan, rhp
Strong spring positioned trade pickup for potential swing role in bullpen working middle innings and/or as an opener.
NO. 15 HT/WT 6-3/205 AGE 27
2018 STATS — IP 62.0 W-L 3-1 ERA 4.35 K 63
26. Guillermo Heredia, of
Acquired from Seattle to serve as backup centerfielder when needed, a righty-hitting replacement for Mallex Smith.
NO. 54 HT/WT 5-10/195 AGE 28
2018 STATS — Avg. .236 HR 5 RBI 19 SB 2
27. Hunter Wood, rhp
Had good flow in 2018 working middle relief and as an opener, and is positioned to help when things get hairy.
NO. 44 HT/WT 6-1/175 AGE 25
2018 STATS — IP 41.0 W-L 1-1 ERA 3.73 K 42
28. Adam Kolarek, lhp
Much more effective vs. lefties in two seasons in majors. Key will be pitching vs. righties to get through innings.
NO. 56 HT/WT 6-3/215 AGE 30
2018 STATS — IP 34.1 W-L 1-0 ERA 3.93 K 19
29. x-Brent Honeywell, rhp
Technically on minor-league IL, but potential for major mid-/late-season impact after rehab from 2018 Tommy John surgery.
NO. 59 HT/WT 6-2/195 AGE 23
30. x-Jose De Leon, rhp
Like Honeywell, slated to complete rehab assignment in late May, could fill in as starter or bulk-inning reliever.
NO. 87 HT/WT 6-1/220 AGE 26
Manager - Kevin Cash
Tampa native enters fifth season with 318-330 career mark, tied for 6th longest tenure among active managers, contract extension through 2024.
Staff
Coaches: Stan Boroski, bullpen; Jonathan Erlichman, process and analytics; Paul Hoover, field coordinator; Rodney Linares, third base; Chad Mottola, hitting; Matt Quatraro, bench; Kyle Snyder, pitching; Ozzie Timmons, first base. Medical: Joe Benge, head athletic trainer; Mark Vinson, Mike Sandoval, assistants; Paul Harker, medical coordinator; Trung Cao, strength and conditioning coordinator; Joey Greany, strength & conditioning assistant; Justin Su’a, mental skills. Front office/baseball operations: Erik Neander, senior VP/GM; Chaim Bloom, senior VP; James Click, VP; Tom Foley, special assistant; Bobby Heck, special assistant; R.J. Harrison, senior advisor; Mitch Lukevics, director, minor-league operations; Peter Bendix, baseball development; Kevin Ibach, pro scouting; Rob Metzler, amateur scouting; Carlos Rodriguez, international scouting; Joe Myers, baseball performance science; Chris Westmoreland, team travel and logistics; Chris Fernandez, video coordinator; Ryan Denlinger, home clubhouse manager; Tyler Wall, home equipment manager.
(x-headed to DL top 30 on roster as of March 18)