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Rays had reason to include Wander Franco, other prospects in postseason pool

With its depth already strained by injuries, Tampa Bay includes high-quality prospects that it hopes not to need in the playoffs.
 
Charlotte Stone Crabs shortstop Wander Franco warms up on the field before a game against the Clearwater Threshers on July 25, 2019, in Clearwater.
Charlotte Stone Crabs shortstop Wander Franco warms up on the field before a game against the Clearwater Threshers on July 25, 2019, in Clearwater. [ ALLIE GOULDING | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published Sept. 22, 2020|Updated Sept. 22, 2020

Wander Franco is the most celebrated but not the only prospect who — conceivably anyway — could make his major-league debut for the Rays in the playoffs.

The 40-player pool submitted to Major League Baseball from which the Rays will draw their 28-man active roster for each postseason series includes four other promising young players with only minor-league experience: infielder Vidal Brujan, catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, right-hander Brent Honeywell and lefty Shane McClanahan.

The Rays are hoping none have to play. But with their depth already strained by a staggering string of injuries, the Rays chose them as the most talented options remaining available should they have more players hurt, or any sidelined by COVID-19 issues, during the playoffs, which start next week.

"I think we’re all excited but also know this is not the most ideal situation to put any young player in,'' manager Kevin Cash said from New York before Monday’s game against the Mets. "But we are at the mercy of all the injuries that have taken place.''

The Rays also included four big-league players hoping to return from in-season injuries. Three are working to try to be ready for the opening round: infielders Ji-Man Choi and Yandy Diaz, from hamstring strains, and lefty reliever Jose Alvarado, from shoulder inflammation. Also, outfielder Austin Meadows, who might not be back from an oblique strain until mid-October, at best.

Left off were two players on the 40-man roster: reliever Edgar Garcia, who was unimpressive in limited duty after a trade from Philadelphia, and infielder Kevin Padlo, a prospect who plays mostly on the corners, where the team has depth.

Among the four prospects added, McClanahan, 23, might have the best shot for active duty, having returned from an early September left knee hyperextension. He impressed in spring training and a Spring 2.0 cameo with high-quality velocity and stuff, and could be something of a secret weapon, having pitched only four games above Class A.

Franco, 19, is considered the game’s top prospect, a switch-hitting shortstop with patience and power at the plate who has not played above Class A. Brujan, 22, is strong and speedy, another switch-hitter who can play second, shortstop and has worked in the outfield. Honeywell, 25, has impressed in working back from a series of arm injuries that have sidelined him since early spring training 2018. Hernandez, 22, is a right-handed hitter who had a so-so 2019 season at advanced Class A Charlotte.

Brujan, Hernandez and Honeywell are on the 40-man roster; Franco and McClanahan would have to be added, so the Rays would have to drop someone to make space, as they also would to reinstate Alvarado from the 45-day injured list.

Also of note, players don’t get service time — used to determine future arbitration and free agency eligibility — during the postseason.

Players in the 40-player pool who are not with the Rays in New York will move into the team’s St. Petersburg hotel on Tuesday to start a league-mandated quarantine, limited to go only to Tropicana Field. The New York group will join them on Thursday. The Port Charlotte site closes after workouts Wednesday.

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Changes to the pool can only be made under “exceptional circumstances” with league and union approval.

40-player postseason pool

Pitchers (19): LH Jose Alvarado, RH Nick Anderson, RH Diego Castillo, RH John Curtiss, RH Oliver Drake, RF Pete Fairbanks, LH Josh Fleming, LH Sean Gilmartin, RF Tyler Glasnow, RH Brent Honeywell Jr., LH Aaron Loup, LH Shane McClanahan, RH Charlie Morton, RH Trevor Richards, LH Ryan Sherriff, RH Aaron Slegers, LH Blake Snell, RH Ryan Thompson, LH Ryan Yarbrough

Catchers (4): Ronaldo Hernandez, Michael Perez, Kevan Smith, Mike Zunino

Infielders (9): Willy Adames, Mike Brosseau, Vidal Brujan, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, Brandon Lowe, Nate Lowe, Joey Wendle

Outfielders (8): Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot, Austin Meadows, Brian O’Grady, Brett Phillips, Hunter Renfroe, Yoshi Tsutsugo

Alvarado, Choi, Diaz updates

Choi and Diaz took batting practice Sunday and Monday in Port Charlotte, Cash said, and "are going in the right direction.'' If they feel good Tuesday, they will take swings off live pitching, though neither has done any running on the field yet. Alvarado threw a 26-pitch bullpen and is scheduled to throw to hitters on Thursday.

Miscellany

The Rays stole four more bases Monday — and were caught once — pushing their total to 45 in 52 tries.. .... Rays pitchers yielded two or fewer runs for the fourth straight game, and six of the past eight. ... Saturday’s home game against the Phillies has been picked up by Fox for its national telecast, with the start time pushed back from 6:40 p.m. to 7:07. … Outfielder Hunter Renfroe said he feels like he’s swinging better and the lack of consistent playing time “sucks,” but he is "here for the team,'' willing to do whatever he is asked.