The arrival of Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Logan Morrison Thursday morning brought the total number of players in camp to 62. The other two players who have yet to arrive, Evan Longoria and Rickie Weeks, are expected by Saturday’s reporting date.
Morrison told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) he feels ready to go after wrist surgery this off-season, and explained how he ended up re-signing with the Rays:
Brad Miller, expecting to get the most reps at second base in 2017, did his first on-field work, taking ground balls up the middle — both at second base and shortstop. Miller spoke with Rays Radio about the difference between playing at short and second:
Only 11 pitchers threw off the mound on Thursday. Because of the long spring, due to the World Baseball Classic, many of the Rays’ hurlers are on a less intense throwing schedule, where they take an extra day or two between bullpen sessions rather than stick to an every-other-day schedule.
In other words, established pitchers, like Alex Cobb or Jake Odorizzi — both of whom threw on Tuesday — likely will not take the mound again until Friday. On the other hand, younger, less experienced, hurlers will be on the standard schedule.
Neither Jose De Leon, who experienced mid-back pain on Wednesday, nor Erasmo Ramirez, who tweaked his hammy on the same day, threw an official bullpen session Thursday. Rather their first official session could come on Friday.
De Leon did play catch, as documented by Marc Topkin (Tampa By a Times)
That lefty in the middle is #Rays prospect Jose Alvarado. He throws hard. pic.twitter.com/B8kA2P0LGF
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 16, 2017
Speedy newcomer Mallex Smith, as well as Kevin Kiermaier, worked on bunting in the backfields. Of interest is Smith’s unique bunting style (seen below), as he almost gets into a catchers-crouch while squaring up prior to making contact.
Speedster Mallex Smith working on bunting drills #Rays pic.twitter.com/bcamoL44WA
— Bryan Levine (@Bryan_Levine) February 16, 2017
Finally, the Rays are reportedly close to inking a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher, Tommy Hunter.
Hunter physical and deal with #Rays could be completed by end of day.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 16, 2017
Much like former Ray Steve Geltz, Hunter is a smaller framed pitcher that won’t blow batters away. And while he doesn’t rack up a ton of strikeouts, his 6.86 K/9 (18.9%) speaks to that, the righty limits walks with a 1.86 BB/9 (5.1%) and coaxes weak contact. Over his career (275-1/3 IP) Hunter has posted a 3.27 ERA and 3.49 FIP, including a 2.13 ERA and 3.06 FIP between two contending teams in 2016.
In short, Hunter is another low risk/high reward hurler, who likely would be a sixth or seventh man in the ‘pen.