If you followed the Durham Bulls schedule, it was Jake Odorizzi all along. The tall, thin, right-hander will make his Rays’ debut in a Monday matinee match-up with the Blue Jays, ending speculation on “who will replace David Price in the Rays’ rotation?”
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The Rays have recalled left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau from Durham, according to Adam Sobsey. Though Sobsey did not report a corresponding move, it’s safe to assume Alex Torres is en route back to Triple-A after throwing four innings in Saturday’s game. The Rays acquired Beliveau from the Rangers in mid-April. Here’s what we wrote:
Beliveau, originally drafted by the Cubs as an 18th-rounder out of Florida Atlantic University, will assume a spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster. Don’t let the minor-league numbers fool you: He doesn’t throw hard. Instead Beliveau sat in the upper-80s to low-90s during his 22-game stint last season with the Cubs. In addition to the fastball Beliveau throws a changeup and a breaking ball. His delivery features a closed landing, which creates a tough angle against left-handed hitters. Beliveau could fit in a bullpen as a second lefty.
Sure enough Beliveau should serve as the second lefty on Sunday, given Cesar Ramos’ lengthy Saturday outing. Afterward look for Beliveau to rejoin Durham and make room for Jake Odorizzi on the 25-man roster.
Kyle Farnsworth has struggled in 2013 in terms of results, but Joe Maddon feels the answer is to use him more frequently? Continue reading
Although Jeremy Hellickson pitched efficiently through his first six innings, what stood out afterward is how he struggled to locate his pitches.
Defensive shifts have been in the news frequently in recent weeks as the Houston Astros are leading baseball in usage of shifts and yet have the worst pitching numbers in all of baseball. Carlos Pena, who is quite familiar with the shifts from his time with the Rays, is even surprised with the frequency the Astros are implementing defensive alignments.
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Keith Law’s first mock draft ($) is out. Within he projects Nick Ciuffo and Marco Gonzales to the Rays—two players we’ve already profiled—and drops a nugget about another player the Rays like: Devin Williams.
Williams is a reedy, long-legged right-hander from Missouri with a commitment to the University of Missouri. His mechanics have a lot of moving parts—including his torso, which leans back during the process—and he lands on a stiff front leg. Still, the ball comes out of Williams’ hand quick and easy. Combine the body with the arsenal and Williams seemingly has an outside shot at becoming an impact starter, with a reasonable chance of becoming a middle-of-the-rotation presence. That’s why he might not be on the board when the Rays pick.
Excerpts from the experts
Dan Evans (October): “[Showed] plus velocity (90-93) with an above average slider at 81-82 while working from the first-base tip of the rubber.”
Perfect Game (April, $) “The definition of projection with FB already reaching 95, slider improving, lots of comps to Mariners’ Taijuan Walker.”
Franchise history at the position
The Rays have selected two high-school pitchers in the first round during their existence: Jason Standridge and Taylor Guerrieri.
