LATEST TEAM INFO:
Wilson Alvarez is ready to start in the MLB again. After 2 great outings for Alvarez, both coaches and fans think he is ready to give it a shot once more. He has started 2 games this spring combining for 4 innings, 2 runs, and 45 pitches.
Alvarez says, "Every time I go out there I feel like its another step forward, another success for me." Alvarez was throwing the ball 90 MPH!!! I think he is ready.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
Devil Rays fans are hoping that keeping the younger players and getting rid of the older guys pays off. They also hope that Hal McRae can get the team and a hot winning streak and finally make it to the playoffs. The fans are tired of being embarrassed. They want a decent season or attendance at Tropicana Field could get worse than right now (which is and average of 4,000 people a game).
RUMOR MILL:
There have been rumors of Greg Vaughn and John Flaherty being traded. Today that rumor was put to rest for a while when Hal said he was going to wait until next season to offer Vaughn.
INJURIES:
There are no INJ reports available for the 40-man which is good because the Devil Rays will have a healthy roster.
ON THE FARM:
Troy O'Leary has been sent to the Minor Leagues but when he is brought up watch out for him.
QUICK VIEW:
Add:
Toby Hall (new) - He is a great hitter. I think he will fit in well with this Devil Ray Team.
Drop:
Esteban Yan (new) - Yan is a good relief pitcher, but how often does he get a save??
LATEST TEAM INFO:
Devil Rays' starting rotation became clearer, at least to manager Hal McRae, despite a 4-3 loss Thursday to the Montreal Expos at Roger Dean Stadium. Right-handers Ryan Rupe and Delvin James were both impressive on the mound but it was Rupe who may have solidified his spot in the rotation. Rupe (0-1) suffered the loss but made just one costly pitch. He left after four innings, allowing four runs on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. The right-hander appeared to be in control through the first two innings until some shaky defense let him down in the third. A single by pitcher Masato Yoshii, a bunt single and a fly ball to short center that should have been caught loaded the bases for Montreal's most dangerous hitter, All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Down 2-0 on the scoreboard and 0-2 in the count, Guerrero launched a bomb over the left field wall for a grand-slam home run. "We had an out with the bunt and an out with the fly ball to center," McRae suggested. "That's where the jam originated. Although [Rupe] still can come back and get out of it, he did his job." Rupe, who acknowledged that he felt "the strongest of any other day this spring," retired six of the next seven hitters to finish his outing. James closed out the game, giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out three. The Expos collected just three hits over the final six innings. "I'm more than happy with the way [Rupe] pitched and the way he's pitched in the past," McRae added. "I feel better about [the fifth] spot in the rotation after today than I did before." "Other than that one pitch [to Guerrero], I thought I threw the ball pretty good today," Rupe said. "The two-seamer I've been working on, I'm not trusting it a lot but at times I trust it real well. That's what me and [pitching coach] Jackie [Brown] have been working on all spring." This spring is the first time Rupe has thrown a two-seam fastball. After a two-year struggle with his fastball, Rupe is now having some success regaining the natural movement he lost because of injuries and changed mechanics. Up to and including his 1999 rookie season, Rupe stepped across his body in his delivery, adding stress on his arm. He then struggled in 2000 with velocity and arm strength the following year and eventually had a blood clot removed from his right biceps.
RUMOR MILL:
Nick Bierbrodt lost his spot in the rotation and as stated above Ryan Rupe will probably claim that spot. Manager Hal McRae hasn't officially announced his decision on who'll start at third base, but the lineup over the past couple days may indicate which way he's leaning. Russ Johnson started at the hot corner Saturday and Sunday, and Bobby Smith is expected to start Monday. Jared Sandberg, who could have won the job even with a mediocre spring offensively, may start Tuesday or Wednesday. Sandberg, who hit .209 over 39 games last season after taking over for Aubrey Huff, has struggled at the plate, hitting just .184 (7-for-38) with two doubles, one homer, two RBIs and a team-high 11 strikeouts. The Rays will likely make the final round of cuts before Wednesday's night game against the Phillies in Clearwater.
INJURIES:
No Injuries to report at this time
ON THE FARM:
While the Rays were in Jupiter playing the Expos, pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Esteban Yan threw in minor league games Thursday. Alvarez worked three innings for Triple-A Durham against the Syracuse, Toronto's Triple-A affiliate. He gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits, including one home run, two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 66 pitches. Yan tossed a scoreless inning for Double-A Orlando against Knoxville, another Blue Jays affiliate. The closer threw 19 pitches, walking one and striking out two. Reliever Doug Creek is scheduled throw at minor league camp on Friday
QUICK VIEW:
Add: Toby Hall, Steve Cox (new)
Drop: Any Infielder but Cox (new)
Team Info:
Infield:
Toby Hall has been a huge disappointment for fantasy owners this season. This is not the player that was drafted high in hopes that he could have a great rookie season. He hasn’t had a hit in 26 at bats and is batting just .200 and has yet to hit a home run. He has plenty of power as last year in AAA he hit 19 homers in 94 games while batting .335 and driving in 72. Expect him to hit well soon. He might just be shaking off some jitters.
After a stint in AAA because of injury, Russ Johnson is back in the infield playing 3B. He’s currently hitting .205 with a homer and 8 RBI’s. Steve Cox has been a bright spot for the Rays so far this year batting .325. Brent Abernathy has been moved to the leadoff spot and is batting .320 at the top of the order.
Outfield
Ben Grieve has slowed down a little bit. He’s only had one homer since April 17th and his average has dropped 32 points in the past week.
Greg Vaughn hasn’t had a hit in his last 33 at bats and is batting .099. He has just 9 hits. He’s always been a fairly slow starter but this of course this is the worst start of his career. Randy Winn has had a hit in 13 of his last 14 games.
Rotation
Tanyon Sturtze has been pitching well as of late. He’s pitched 15.2 innings in his past two starts and has given up just two runs. You may want to watch Paul Wilson. He struggled in his last start and in May he has a career ERA of over 10. Though Joe Kennedy has not been pretty this season, he’s been consistent. He’s never pitched less than five innings this year and only given up more than three runs once.
Injuries:
SP Wilson Alvarez- He was able to throw off of a mound with no pain April 30th. Expect him back in one or two weeks.
On the Farm:
OF Carl Crawford is turning heads down in AAA. He’s got lightning quick speed and is batting .347. He has six stolen bases, 20 runs, and four homers.
Quick View:
Add:
SP Joe Kennedy- His ERA has been gradually going down, and he’s been very consistent. With some run support he should pick up a fair number of wins.
Drop:
CP Esteban Yan- Normally shaky starter is back to his old ways. Last season manager Hal McRae gave him some leeway but his patience won’t be as high this season.
OF Greg Vaughn- No hits in his last 33 at bats and a .099 average. The numbers speak for themselves.
Hold: C Toby Hall, OF Ben Grieve, SP Paul Wilson
Trade: none; you won’t get anything for anyone on the Devil Rays.
A Closer Look at:
C Toby Hall
Height: 6-3…Weight: 205…Throws: Right…Bats: Right…Born: October 21, 1975, Tacoma, WA
Strengths: Has a good eye at the plate and is a consistent hitter who is a tough out. Doesn’t strike out much and walks a lot. A former infielder is good behind the plate.
Weaknesses: Gets behind in the count to often and is too patient at times. He has an average arm and is very slow.
Outlook: Probably the top young catcher in the game and should have a successful season. Many think he’ll be a future all-star.
Fantasy View: He’s a solid fantasy player. He has the potential to have a .300-20-75 season this year. Don’t let his horrendous start fool you.
