Tampa Bay Devil Rays Midseason Report Card and Predictions
Offense
Toby Hall – C - .206, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 15 R, 0 SB
There’s one word that can describe Hall’s entire first-half: Disappointment. Coming into the season he was one of the most highly touted rookies, expected to put up huge numbers and make a serious run at AL rookie of the year honors. Hall was not successful, and thus was sent to the minors after putting on a poor display. He was only down for a month, and now must with John Flaherty for his job back.
First-half Grade: F
Prediction: .236, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 38 R
John Flaherty – C - .255, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 14 R, 2 SB
Flaherty-and his 3.25 million dollar contract-came into the season as a backup catcher and a mentor to Hall. Hall’s dire start has handed the starting catcher job to John Flaherty, who is not known for his hitting abilities at all. He’s been an upgrade from Hall’s production, but is not the answer for the Devil Rays and will give up his job to Hall soon enough.
First Half Grade: D
Prediction: .256, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R
Steve Cox – 1B - .278, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 33 R, 3 SB
Many people were wondering where Cox’s power of 1999 when he hit .341 and drove in 127 RBI’s while being named MVP of the International league. Coming into this season, Cox had high hopes that this could be the year he broke out. And he was excelled. He has solidified himself to be a reliable first baseman, and the Devil Rays have no plans to move him or acquire any other first baseman to take his place. He should be hitting for a higher average, but his power numbers are there, and that’s what the Devil Rays are looking for.
First Half Grade: B
Prediction: .279, 18 HR, 79 RBI, 59 R
Brent Abernathy – 2B - .259, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 32 R, 6 SB
Abernathy is a major part in the Devil Rays future plans, and still has to prove himself constantly. Going into the year, he did enough in Spring Training to earn the regular second base job. He’s a great talent that could see himself hitting in the number 2 hole in the Devil Rays lineup for years to come. Abernathy has good speed and can get on base and score but still doesn’t have any power. He’s been fairly average so far this year, but expect him to pick it up in the second half a little bit.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: .266, 7 HR, 59 RBI, 71 R, 13 SB
Chris Gomez – SS - .262, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 32 R, 0 SB
The Devil Rays have no shortstops in the minors, so it looks as if Gomez will be the Rays shortstop for the next few years. Before being traded to Tampa, Gomez was hitting in the eight-hole for the Padres, being nothing more than a singles hitter. When shipped to the Rays, he tried out a more aggressive hitting style. The results were eight homers in a 93 at-bat span. His power, though not up to par with some of the other AL shortstops, are impressive for the type of player he is.
First Half Grade: B
Prediction: .259, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 60 R, 1 SB
Jared Sandberg – 3B - .237, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 19 R, 0 SB
Sandberg, 24, is expected to be the Devil Rays third baseman of the future. He doesn’t play everyday and is part of the Rays hazy third base situation, but hopes to be solid in the second half as more playing time is handed to him. He hasn’t quite blossomed yet, but plays good defense and should see a lot of PT’s in the second half.
First Half Grade: D
Prediction: .219, 16 HR, 36 RBI, 34 R, 0 SB
Russ Johnson – 3B/2B - .215, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 5 SB
Johnson is among the best at what he does: He pinch-hits and can fill in at any of the infield positions when need be. This is what he was thought of coming into the year, and found himself with a brief starting stint while Sandberg was out. He has a solid arm in the field and decent speed on the bases, but isn’t much of a hitter.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: .231, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 29 R, 9 SB
Aubrey Huff – 3B/1B - .277, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 18 R, 2 SB
Huff lost his job at spring training and was expected to be a fill-in at third and first. He found the third base job in his hands at the beginning of June, and has yet to lose it, putting the ball in play and making things happen. If he can keep his job, he should be pretty successful the rest of the way.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: .282, 14 HR, 38 RBI, 38 R, 6 SB
Randy Winn – OF - .310, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 49 R, 16 SB
Winn has been solid this season, and thus been named to the AL all-star team and is being pursued by many contending teams. He’s got wonderful speed and is best at making things happen. He plays good enough defense to play any of the outfield positions. Winn has put to rest any doubters he had before the season, and most likely won’t stop, especially if traded to a contender. The Rays don’t want to trade him, but they are in serious financial trouble and they may be obligated to deal him.
First Half Grade: A
Prediction: .301, 13 HR, 86 RBI, 96 R, 30 SB
Ben Grieve – OF - .254, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 33 R, 7 SB
Grieve still hasn’t completely found himself since being traded to Tampa Bay from Oakland. After a short power surge at the beginning of the season, Grieve has slowed down this year, and leaves the Rays wondering when he’ll reach his full potential they were hoping for when they attained him. He’s shown some power this year, but his poultry .254 average must improve.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: .262, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 57 R, 11 SB
Greg Vaughn – OF - .163, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R, 3 SB
The Devil Rays have been trying to get rid of Vaughn for the second year now, but there are no takers. Why? Well, nobody wants an injured, 37-year-old designated hitter that’s hitting below the Mendoza line. This very well could be Vaughn last year on the Devil Rays.
First Half Grade: F
Prediction: .188, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 40 R, 4 SB
Jason Tyner – OF – First Half Grade: F
Jason Conti – OF – First Half Grade: B
Felix Escalona – SS – First Half Grade: D
Pitching
Tanyon Sturtze – SP – 4.52 ERA, 1-9, 1.64 WHIP, 74 K, 1 CG, 0 SO
Sturtze came into the season as Tampa’s number one starter. So what has he done with it? He just picked up his first win June 26. Inexcusable, even with the poor Devil Rays offense behind him.
First Half Grade: F
Prediction: 4.47 ERA, 4-16, 1.61 WHIP, 152 K, 1 CG, 0 SO
Joe Kennedy – SP – 4.33 ERA, 5-7, 1.27 WHIP, 75 K, 4 CG, 1 SO
Pretty soon Kennedy’s arm is going to fall off, but he’s about the only bright spot on the Devil Ray’s rotation. In his last 32 innings, he’s thrown 477 pitches. Unbelievable. Him and his funky delivery have been consistent this year, as he’s gone 6+ innings in 12 of his 17 starts this season. His four complete games are partly due to a poor Devil Rays bullpen.
First Half Grade: A
Prediction: 4.77 ERA, 8-15, 1.45 WHIP, 134 K, 6 CG, 1 SO
Ryan Rupe – SP – 5.54 ERA, 5-9, 1.15 WHIP, 67 K, 2 CG, 0 SO
Rupe has always been capable of striking out a batter, and the beginning of this year was no different. But their has to be some worry’s, coming off of an injury that is sidelining as we speak, when his 5.54 ERA is 31 points lower than his career ERA. His 1.15 WHIP is impressive and big things are expected out of him in the second half.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: 5.31 ERA, 10-17, 1.14 WHIP, 157 K, 4 CG, 1 SO
Paul Wilson – SP – 4.28 ERA, 2-6, 1.39 WHIP, 63 K, 1 CG, 0 SO
If he played on another team, Wilson would probably have at least eight wins. He’s not the biggest finesse guy, but he’ll give you a solid five or six innings every game, and give your team a chance to win. Along with Kennedy, he’s been one of the few bright spots on the Devil Rays rotation.
First Half Grade: B
Prediction: 3.96, 7-11, 1.24 WHIP, 141 K, 3 CG, 1 SO
Wilson Alvarez – SP – 5.56 ERA, 2-2, 1.59 WHIP, 0 CG, 0 SO
He’s the highest paid player on the Devil Rays, and he’s showing more and more that he shouldn’t be. He was finally healthy enough to pitch for an extended period of time, and he’s disappointed all hopes that he’d return to the pitcher he once was.
First Half Grade: F
Prediction: 5.55 ERA, 4-8, 1.63 WHIP, 0 CG, 0 SO
Victor Zambrano – RP – 5.93 ERA, 3-4, 1.61 WHIP, 6 HLD, 0 SV
Zambrano is considered the Rays’ closer of the future, and after Yan lost the job he was expected to fill-in and take the closer role. Well, he didn’t, and was sent down to AAA on June 25.
First Half Grade: F
Prediction: 5.93 ERA, 3-4, 1.61 WHIP, 6 HLD, 0 SV
Doug Creek – RP – 5.81 ERA, 2-0, 1.58 WHIP, 4 HLD, 0 SV
Creek is really just another guy in the Devil Rays bullpen. At 33 years old, he’s really just an injury-free left-handed reliever who can eat up relief innings of long or short tenure. He’ll remain on the Devil Rays, partially as a mentor to the young pitchers.
First Half Grade: C
Prediction: 5.97, 3-3, 1.74 WHIP, 7 HLD, 1 SV
Travis Harper – RP/SP – 3.57 ERA, 3-5, 1.15 WHIP, 0 HLD, 1 SV
He’s been the Rays most consistent reliever, and manager Hal McRae says he’s going to use him in late-inning hold situations. Harper may find himself in the rotation at some point this year.
First Half Grade: A
Prediction: 3.81 ERA, 7-8, 1.31 WHIP, 7 HLD, 3 SV
Esteban Yan – RP – 5.03 ERA, 4-4, 1.62 WHIP, 0 HLD, 11 SV
Yan continues to lose his closer job- but nobody else on the team seems to want it. Thus Yan has been given numerous chances, and he feels comfortable and feels like he no longer has to compete for his job. Now that he’s got Harper breathing down his neck, he’ll either have to step up or step out.
First Half Grade: D
Prediction: 4.90 ERA, 5-8, 1.61 WHIP, 0 HLD, 19 SV
