Local Team Info:
Supposedly #1 starter Tanyon Sturtze still doesn’t have a win. His loss on June 20th to the Giants dropped him to 0-8, and it’s getting a little embarrassing for him. "I guess it's one of those years when anything bad that happens, happens on my days. I just hope it ends pretty soon. It's been a little bit embarrassing for me," said Sturtze. He’s leading the American League in runs and hits given up, but he has been eating up the innings, as he’s pitched nine innings in each of the last two games. "He's pitched a lot of innings, which means he's good," manager Hal McRae said. "He has to go out and pitch and not worry about the record."
Notes: The Devil Rays insist that they aren’t in money trouble, yet they’re asking for cash in trade offers. "We will take cash for these players as well as a baseball deal," GM Chuck LaMar told the St. Petersburg Times. "We told them, don't be shy. If you like a player it doesn't have to be strictly a player transaction. To lower payroll, we'll consider the dollar aspects highly, if not higher, than the player part."…The Devil Rays continue to lose in many different ways. The latest trend has been to get a lead, then give it up in the eighth inning.
Injuries:
SP Ryan Rupe- He says his sore shoulder may land him on the DL.
OF Greg Vaughn- Will have his shoulder examined today. He’s currently day-to-day.
On the Farm:
Remember way back when. I mean way back, when OF prospect Josh Hamilton was considered the best prospect in the league. Well, injuries have bothered him and slowed his progress for the last two years, and this year he has been troubled by a sore shoulder. He’s gotten in 38 games, mostly at DH, and has done pretty well, batting .33 with seven homers and 32 RBI’s. Don’t expect to see him up this year, but may be a good late round pick in next year’s draft.
Notes: Toby Hall’s back to his old self down in AAA, recording eight multi-hit games in the past 11, good for a .438 average…Andy Sheets has 54 RBI’s, the most in the organization…Down in AA, Nathan Ruhl made his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance on the 23rd.
Quick View:
Add:
OF Randy Winn- In the midst of a 13-game hit-streak, already broken D-Rays record for hits in June, and if you haven't already, get him in your lineup as soon as possible.
Drop:
SP Ryan Rupe- May land on the DL with sore shoulder.
Hold: Ben Grieve
Short & Sweet
Local Team Info:
The Devil Rays seem to be drafting for the long run, as 29 of their 50 draft picks came straight out of high school. Most of their players seem to be more than a year or two away from the Majors. So they probably won’t have their first .500 season for years to come. The draft was highlighted in the drafting of SS B.J. Upton with the second overall pick. Out of Greenbier Christian Academy, The 18-year old shortstop has five-tool ability and also has one of the strongest arms in the draft.
Notes: Tampa Bays no. 1 starter Tanyon Sturtze still doesn’t have a win. He’s allowed the most hits and walks in the American League…Top pitching prospect Jason Jimenez made his debut on June 3. He pitched one scoreless inning. For now he’ll be in middle relief…Greg Vaughn has 14 RBI’s in the past 15 games…The Devil Rays are the least clutch team in the major leagues, which is reflected in their 18-38 record, they stranded 51 runners in their recent 4-game series with the A’s…Vaughn batted second in the lineup on Wednesday, marking just the fifth time he’s batted in that slot in his career.
Injuries:
Pitcher Bobby Seay has returned from the 60-day DL and was optioned to AA Orlando…Wilson Alvarez has completed his rehab assignment and has been taken off the DL…Pitcher Jorge Sosa has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a Strained litissmus Dorsi. He is eligible to come off June 10.
On the Farm:
It should only be a matter of time until AAA OF Carl Crawford is called up. He is absolutely dominating for the Durham Bulls, the Devil Rays AAA affiliate, batting .350 with 6 homers, 33 RBI’s, 15 stolen bases, and 39 runs. He has the potential to be a 5-tool player and could be an all-star.
Notes: The Devil Rays sent pitcher Lee Gardner to AAA after he cleared waivers...AA SS Ramon Soler has been designated for assignment due to Seay returning from injury…C Toby Hall (remember him) has had a hit in every game he’s played for AAA Durham.
Quick View:
Add:
RP Jason Jimenez: He made his first career start on Monday and right now he’s in middle relief, but Esteban Yan will more than likely lose his job again, and this guy could be part of the closer-by-committee or, if he pitches really well, be the full-time closer.
Drop:
1B Steve Cox: He’s in the middle of a 7-52 slump, and if you drop him nobody will probably pick him up.
Hold: Ben Grieve
A Closer Look at:
SP Joe Kennedy
Height: 6-4 Weight: 237 Throws: Left Bats: Right Born: May 24, 1979, La Mesa, CA
Pitching: He’s got a great delivery where he hides the ball from hitters, making it tough for them to pick up the ball. His fastball is usually in the 90-94 MPH range, and he has a nasty curveball that will stun hitters because they’re trying to prepare for the fastball that they can’t pick up. He has very good control with a K:BB ratio of 49:17 in 71 innings this year.
Defense: He was a catcher growing up, so he has all around defensive skills. He sometimes gets rattled out on the mound and will throw the ball away because he can’t stay calm. His pick-off move is average at best.
This season: He’s been consistent for how young he is, and if you take away the past two games he has a 3.41 ERA. His 49:17 K:BB ratio is fantastic. His record of 3-5 is a little misleading due to the fact that he plays on the Devil Rays.
Fantasy View: He won’t get you many wins or strikeouts, but if you’re in a deep AL only league he might be a good guy to pick up.
