MAKING THE PITCH: Tampa Rays

Longoria gets that loooong-term deal w/#Rays, & David Price looks on with envy. "Absolutely," Price says cbsprt.co/Wi12q9
— Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) March 11, 2013

Felipe M

We take a look at the projected starting rotations and closer situations of every MLB team.  Of course, this will come from a fantasy perspective.  All cited stats are based on 2013 projections.   

To see our preview of the Texas Rangers, click here. 

Now let's take a quick look at the Tampa Rays: 

2013 PITCHING PROJECTIONS
Player	K/BB	K/9	BB/9	H/9	WHIP	HR/A
David Price	3.38	8.88	2.63	7.58	1.13	0.71
Jeff Niemann	2.38	7.01	2.95	8.19	1.24	0.89
Matt Moore	2.67	9.31	3.49	7.79	1.25	0.94
Jeremy Hellickson	2.22	6.97	3.14	8.17	1.26	1.02
Alex Cobb	2.13	6.80	3.19	8.48	1.30	0.78
Fernando Rodney	2.35	8.58	3.66	6.75	1.16	0.56

As you can see, the projections are ranked from lowest to highest WHIP.  Fernando Rodney is the projected closer. The main concern for Rodney is that his 2012 numbers were so unexpected when you consider the last few seasons prior to 2012, that it's hard to imagine him repeating those numbers in 2013.  Currently, I have him ranked ahead of Glen Perkins as a 2nd tier closer.  His K/9 is too low to consider him a top-notch closer and his BB/9 is identical to Kyuji Fujikawa's.  WHIP is also similar to the weird and wild Chris Perez.   However, Rodney is coming off a successful WBC appearance and says he's more than ready to go for the start of 2013.

If Chris Perez is an important part of your bullpen, your bullpen better not be important.
— jeffpearlman (@jeffpearlman) March 18, 2013

Currently, opening day starter, David Price is listed in my top 10 starting pitchers' list (for now).  His numbers are absolutely dominant.  There's a reason why he's the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.  

Jeremy Hellickson is listed as the #2 starter as the Rays go lefty-righty for the first 4 spots of their rotation.  So far, he's had mixed results this spring.  His numbers don't look very impressive, but even though he's 26, he still has some untapped upside.  Then again, if Hellickson's name wasn't attached to his potential, he would basically be Jason Hammel. Owners will reach for the once, highly-touted prospect, but beware of the hype.

So far, Matt Moore has struggled with control this spring.  But the potential to dominate hitters, based on his K/9 and the fact that he will only be 24 this season, makes him worthy of the risk despite control issues that have haunted him since 2012.  Currently, Moore is right on the border between 2nd and 3rd tier pitcher, just ahead of fellow lefty, Gio Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, Alex Cobb has turned a successful finish to his 2012 campaign into a good spring so far.  1.30 WHIP makes him a risk to draft too early, but Cobb is a candidate to actually exceed his projections.  He is currently ranked between Matt Harvey and Brett Myers.

Jeff Niemann is still in a battle with the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona.  Both are having solid springs.  We all know what "Carmona" is capable of: low strikeout totals, lots of groundballs.  Some issues with control and command.  On the other hand, Niemann is all over the place.  He has history of low strikeout totals, mediocre K/BB, and giving up the long ball.  However, even though he's proven to have a hard time staying healthy, he's actually been improving in the last two seasons (sans the homerun rate in 2012).  Though he only made 8 starts, 2012 was actually a "success" as he improved his K/9 (8.1) and K/BB (2.83).  He also posted his lowest WHIP in his Major League career (1.10).  I've always had faith in Niemann and hopefully, if he wins that 5th spot, he can finally pitch like he's supposed to.  

More MLB content is available here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: Top 5

Bryce Harper had a heck of a 2012 season.

Felipe M

5. Trevor Bauer--SP--Cleveland Indians

• 2012 Outlook: "Compared to Tim Lincecum.  Best of the D'backs' prospects."
• 2012 Accomplishments: #3 in Pacific Coast League and the league's best pitcher.
• Conclusion: Aside from a 4.2 BB/9, Bauer absolutely dominated in the Minors in 2012.  He did pitch for the Big League club, but was playing hurt in his time with the D'backs.  Unfortunately for Arizona, conflict between the young pitcher and the entire organization forced the D'backs to ship him to Cleveland for a bushel of balls, a 2-year supply of hot dogs, and a high volume of the freshest Lake Erie water.  People are going to get fired in Arizona because of this trade.  However, management wanted to get rid of this promising prospect, but the real "snake bite" come from the fact that they really didn't get fair value for this player and that's very unfortunate.  At least they were able to get solid players in the Justin Upton deal.  Currently, Bauer is competing for the #5 spot in the Indians' rotation.  

4. Julio Teheran--SP--Atlanta Braves

• 2012 Outlook: "Compared to Pedro Martinez; best of the Braves' pitching prospects."
• 2012 Accomplishments: #1 Prospect in Braves' organization and possesses Best Changeup in the system; #4 Prospect in International League. 
• Conclusion: Struggled mightily in the Minors last season, but many pundits are blaming the organization for trying to change his delivery.  Reports out of spring training are that Teheran has returned to his old delivery and is pitching with extreme confidence.  He is currently competing for a rotation spot. 

3. Jesus Montero--C--Seattle Mariners

A young Jesus Montero readying himself with that lumber.

• 2012 Outlook: "Will mainly DH for the Mariners.  Can hit for power and average."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Played 135 games for the Mariners in 2012, but only 56 games at catcher.
• Conclusion: One of the many players that were linked to the recent BioGenesis scandal adds to Montero's problems, mainly his defensive duties at the catching position and how will he exactly bounce back from a disastrous 2012 (.260/.298/.389 BB:K .29).  His last season at Triple-A shows what Montero is capable of: .289/.351/.493/.843 BB:K .43.  That potential has management salivating at things to come and opted to hand him the keys to the #1 catching spot as they got rid of any potential competition that might get in his way this season. 

2. Bryce Harper--OF--Washington Nationals

• 2012 Outlook: "At 19, he's the best prospect in baseball.  Will get called up in 2012."
• 2012 Accomplishments: NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and All-Star
• Conclusion: Now 20, Harper is slated to start in LF for the Nationals.  What's very impressive about Harper is that not only did he succeed as a teengager in his first season in the Majors, but that he showed no indication that he was ready for the Big Leagues in the Minors.  He struggled in Double and Triple-A posting mediocre batting average, low on-base%, and displaying absolutely no power.  His patience at the plate did improve so there might have been hope for him in that aspect.  He put on more weight to endure a full season in the Majors and, obviously, to hit for more power and improve on his .817 OPS from last season.

It might be the worst ballpark,
but it will be home to a lot of
young, promising players.

1. Matt Moore--SP--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "Might be better than Stephen Strasburg."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Pitched 177.1 innings for the Rays. 
• Conclusion: After dominating and destroying everything in his path in Double and Triple-A, Moore's 2012 was sort of ordinary: WHIP 1.35; H/9 8.0; HR/9 0.9; BB/9 4.1; K/9 8.9.  He did find his rhythm in the 2nd half of the season so that's a good sign; that and his high strikeout rate.  Moore is very likely to break camp as the Rays' #3 starter.  

 More MLB content is available here. 

The rest of the prospects can be found here.

All pictures courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos.  

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #25-21

Source (Mike McCann's Field of Fotos): Zack Wheeler and
Matt Harvey will forever be connected to one another.  

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

25. Wily Peralta--SP--Milwaukee Brewers

• 2012 Outlook: "Hard thrower and future workhorse. Might step in this year if the Big League team needs him."
• 2012 Achievements: Best Slider in the Brewers' System
• Conclusion: Started 5 games and accumulated 29 innings pitched for the Brewers last season. He pitched impressively, posting a 1.21 WHIP; 7.14 K/9; 3.41 BB/9; 7.44 H/9. As you can see, however, his walk rate is just a tad high. However, considering his miserable season at Triple-A (WHIP 1.58; 9.4 H/9; 4.8 BB/9, but did post a K/9 of 8.8), it's a wonder he pitched as well as he did for the Brew Crew last year. He pitched a lot better in 2011, but control and command problems were an issue that year as well.  Nevertheless, Peralta impressed enough in 2012 to compete for a starting rotation spot in 2013.

24. Zack Wheeler--SP--New York Mets

• 2012 Outlook: "True ace potential. To compete for spot in the Majors by 2013."
• 2012 Achievements: #1 Mets Prospect (Second Year in a Row) and System's Best Curveball; #2 Eastern League Prospect as well as the league's Best Breaking Pitch, Fastball, and Pitching Prospect.
• Conclusion: Wheeler posted a 12-8 record last year, along with an ERA of 3.26, 1.17 WHIP, 6.9 H/9, 3.6 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9.  Wheeler knows how to keep the ball on the ground and command helps with keeping the ball in the park. Despite his impressive season, the Mets will probably use the same map for Wheeler's ascension to the Majors that they had used on Matt Harvey in 2012. 

23. Hak-Ju Lee--SS--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "The Shane Victorino of shortstops."
• 2012 Achievements: Played in Arizona Fall League; #3 Prospect in Tampa; #8 Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: Lee is still 22 years-old. But people are concerned with his performance in Double-A. In 140 games and 648 Plate Appearances, Lee has posted the following: .249/.325/.351/.676, BB:K of .50, but did steal 42 bases. There's still hope that Lee's hitting prowess will click again, but it looks like his defense might be the key to getting to the Big Leagues. Has the edge to be the starting shortstop in Double-A once again in 2013.

22. Nick Franklin--SS--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Disappointed in California League, but still possesses power/speed combination that makes him an intriguing call-up for 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #5 Prospect in Mariners' system; #16 Prospect in Pacific Coast and #7 in Southern Leagues
• Conclusion: Franklin got off to a hot start in Double-A, but struggled considerably when he was moved up to Triple-A last season. Franklin's career Double-A numbers after 335 PA's look like this: .326/.392/.498/.890, 14 stolen bases, 6 homeruns, .54 BB:K. At Triple-A, after 296 PA's: .243/.310/.416/.725, 3 stolen bases, 7 homers, .35 BB:K. But just like Lee, Franklin is only 22 and might improve in his second season at Triple-A. 

21. Leonys Martin--OF--Texas Rangers

• 2012 Outlook: "Competing for CF spot in Big Leagues (2011). Strong batting eye and can steal bases, too."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 Prospect in Rangers' system; #17 Prospect in Pacific Coast League.
• Conclusion: Martin was able to garner 46 at bats for the Rangers last season where he posted pedestrian numbers. His Minor League numbers suggest that he's ready to contribute in the Majors, however. After 406 PA's at Triple-A: .318/.377/.483/.860, 12 homers, 19 stolen bases, and .56 BB:K. Martin is expected to be the lefty part of a platoon system at CF for the Rangers in 2013. 

Prospects #30-26 are available here. 

Prospects #20-16 are available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #30-26

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

30. Anthony Rizzo--1B--Chicago Cubs

• 2012 Outlook: "If Bryan LaHair falters, he will make Cubs' roster. Would be much better at Wrigley than at Petco."
• 2012 Achievements: #5 Prospect in Pacific Coast League as well as its Best Batting Prospect.
• Conclusion: Not many prospects were hyped up more than Rizzo. Very rarely does a player's call-up make such a big deal. But these were no ordinary circumstances; these were the Chicago Cubs under new management and in the middle of a losing season. The pressure was on Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer for their handpicked "franchise player" to come up with a big game. He did. More importantly, Rizzo bounced back from a disappointing stint in San Diego. Rizzo would go on to play 87 games and accumulate 337 at bats for the Cubs. He hit .285 with an OPS of .805 and a BB:K of .44. Compared that to Rizzo's minor league numbers (.47 BB:K, .303 batting average, and .914 OPS), Rizzo is more or less on par to continue to improve and is all ready slated to play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic and will indubitably start 2013 as the Cubs' starting 1B.

29. Mike Montgomery--SP--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "Struggled in Triple-A, but might get called up in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Best Changeup in Royals' farm system
• Conclusion: Montgomery was one of the players moved out of Kansas City in order for the Royals to acquire starting pitcher James Shields. Montgomery once looked like a bonafide prospect, but has been struggling since moving up to Double-A ball in 2010. Control issues continue to plague him and during that time span, has seen his K/9 drop and his H/9 soar. He also struggled with keeping the ball in the park in 2012.  His career 1.72 groundball/flyball ratio probably doesn't help in keeping his homerun rate in check. Perhaps the Tampa system will help him regain his confidence that once made him a legit pitching prospect in Kansas City. In the meantime, Montgomery can be added to a list of highly touted pitching prospects that have fizzled in the Royals' system.

28. Alex Torres--RP--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "Command issues, but might be first call-up for Tampa."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: To recapitulate, Torres' continued to have control and command issues in 2012. He was used both as a starter and a reliever in 2012, making 12 relief appearances. If there is a glimmer of hope for Torres to make the Rays' 2013 squad, it would have to be as a relief pitcher, but he still has an outside chance of making it.

27. Garrett Richards--RP--California Angels of Anaheim

• 2012 Outlook: "A rotation spot away from joining the Angels in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: Richards make 30 total pitching appearances for the Halos last season, including 9 starts. The results were disastrous, but did manage to record one save. Richards was all ready struggling in Triple-A before the Angels called him up last season. Just like Torres, Richards has a slim chance to make the Angels, but if he does, he's projected to join their bullpen and also counted on to be the team's spot starter. Most likely, the Angels are hoping Richards can pitch like he did in Double-A, where he posted a 7.7 H/9, 2.5 BB/9, 6.5 K/9, and a WHIP OF 1.14.

26. Devin Mesoraco--C--Cincinnati Reds

• 2012 Outlook: "Will start Major League career as the Reds' backup catcher. He comes with a power/patience combo."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: After much optimism for the young catcher, Mesoraco garnered 165 at bats for the Reds. The results: Slash Line of .212/.288/.351 and a BB:K of .51. Mesoraco's claim to fame, however, was getting into a heated argument and then proceeding to deliberately bump an umpire during a game, earning him a suspension. He's projected to be the Reds' backup catcher once again as the club is hoping he can display his power/patience package that was evident in Triple-A (.289/.371/.484/.855, BB:K of .62).

Prospects #35-31 are available here. 

Prospects #25-21 are available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #65-61

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

65. Chris Archer--SP--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "Command issues, but still has high ceiling."
• 2012 Achievements: #1 Prospect and Best Slider in Tampa Rays' system. #3 International League Prospect; Made 6 pitching appearances for Tampa Rays.
• Conclusion: Archer has the potential to strike out batters in bunches.  He also has done a great job in limiting hitters' contact rate against him, in both Major and Minor Leagues--also averaged a 1.24 WHIP in both leagues. His main issue is his control, which, along with high strikeout rate, followed him to the Majors. Despite the major overhaul in the Rays' pitching rotation, it is still unclear where Archer will fit with the Rays in 2013. 

64. Dellin Betances--P--New York Yankees

• 2012 Outlook: "Hard-throwing, 'strikeout artist.' Top of rotation stuff, but has control issues."
• 2012 Achievements: Participated in Arizona Fall League.
• Conclusion: Betances is a big fellow at 6'8", 260lbs so he might need a little more time to develop if you believe in the theory that big pitchers need more time in doing so.  As promised, he did post a high strikeout rate in the Minors, but also posted a high WHIP, BB/9, and H/9.  In his defense, Betances was placed on the 60-day Disabled List because of a shoulder injury in September so perhaps those numbers were affected by that. 

63. Johnny Hellweg--SP--Milwaukee Brewers

• 2012 Outlook: "Needs to keep control in check. High 90s fastball makes him future ace."
• 2012 Achievements: Participated in AFL, used mostly as a Relief Pitcher; #15 Prospect in Texas League.
• Conclusion: Hellweg was traded to the Brewers, along with Jean Segura, in the Zack Greinke trade that sent him to the Angels. He stands at 6'9", 210 lbs. It can be argued that his size, along with his hard stuff, might account for his high amount of groundballs (3.13 groundball/flyball in Double-A Huntsville (Brewers)). However, while with Double-A Arkansas (Angels), he had a mediocre K/9 and high BB/9 of 4.5). Once acquired by the Brewers, they had him coming out of the bullpen most of the time at Huntsville. Because lack of control, he won't be making the Big League club anytime soon unless they are desperate for bullpen help. 

62. Tyler Skaggs--SP--Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2012 Outlook: "Should make the Big League team by 2013. Ace pitching prospect in most farm systems."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 6 games for the Diamondbacks; #3 and #4 in both Southern and Pacific Coast Leagues, respectively; Best Breaking Pitch in both leagues.
• Conclusion: Despite making starts for the D'backs, reports showed he had decreased velocity on his pitches, which may have something to do with the mediocre stats he posted in the Majors. He did display good control in the Minors in 2012 (K:BB 3.14). Nevertheless, Arizona was so impressed by Skaggs' progress, that they went ahead and traded away #1 pitching prospect Trevor Bauer. The D'backs have a loaded starting rotation, but despite of the depth, and Skaggs' age (21), he will compete for a rotation spot in 2013. 

61. Jarrod Parker--SP--Oakland A's

• 2012 Outlook: "Most promising of the A's pitchers. Already underwent Tommy John Surgery."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 29 games (20 Quality Starts) for Oakland A's.
• Conclusion: After only 4 starts in Triple-A, Parker was called up by the big club performing outstandingly well for the surging A's. He still has issues with command and might be a "pitch to contact" pitcher, but there's no denying his skill. He might leave too many balls in the air, but clearly, he's in the perfect situation in Oakland. 

Prospects #70-66 can be read here.

Prospects #60-56 can be viewed here.