Rays Come to Terms with Second Round Draft Pick, Chris Betts

Chris Betts (26) of Wilson High School in Long Beach, California during the Under Armour All-American Game on August 16, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.  (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)
Chris Betts (26) of Wilson High School in Long Beach, California during the Under Armour All-American Game on August 16, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)

Per Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors), the Tampa Bay Rays have come to terms with their second round draft pick, catcher Chris Betts.

Adams writes,

The Rays have agreed to terms with second-round selection Chris Betts, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). ESPN’s Keith Law reports (on Twitter) that Betts will receive a $1.485MM signing bonus, which comes in above his No. 52 slot’s value of $1,160,500. Betts, a high school catcher out of California, is being advised by MVP Sports Group.

Yesterday, MLB.com’s Jim Callis wrote that Betts had first-round aspirations entering the draft and, as such, may have had a higher price tag than his slot, which now looks to indeed be the case. Even by going over slot for Betts, however, the Rays will avoid forfeiting a future first-round pick as well as incurring any luxury taxes on the deal. As Callis noted, the team had saved $448K on other picks, so Betts’ additional $324,500 will keep the Rays in the confines of their allotted pool.

Heading into the draft, Betts rated 16th on the respective rankings of ESPN’s Keith Law and Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel. Callis and MLB.com colleague Jonathan Mayo ranked Betts 25th, and the staff at Baseball America ranked him 28th on their Top 500.

In his writeup, Law noted that fellow prep catcher Tyler Stephenson had more impressive all-around tools, but Betts is presently a more advanced hitter/receiver. Both Law and McDaniel note similarities between Betts and Brian McCann — a bat-first catcher — though clearly there’s a long way to go before Betts realizes that type of ceiling. Callis and Mayo note that he makes consistently hard contact with a left-handed swing that can eventually produce above-average power, and he’s slimmed down this year. BA writes that his receiving improved this offseason after working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (coincidentally, a teammate of Aaron Hicks — another first-rounder to come out of Betts’ Woodrow Wilson High School).

The team has now signed its first five picks from the draft.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Blue Jays, Part Four — A Series Preview

David DeJesus celebrates with third base coach Charlie Montoyo after hitting a one-run triple to score Logan Forsythe during the second inning of a game on July 12, 2015. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
David DeJesus celebrates with third base coach Charlie Montoyo after hitting a one-run triple to score Logan Forsythe during the second inning of a game on July 12, 2015. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

After being hampered by the injury bug in the first half — in which the team both over and underperformed for stretches of the season — the Tampa Bay Rays will resume play on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays with a winning 46-45 record and the confidence they can remain in contention for a postseason berth.

The good guys will look to build on the three consecutive wins that preceded the All-Star Break when they visit the Rogers Centre for a three-game set against a scuffling Toronto team. The Rays allowed just four runs during their sweep of Houston last weekend, allowing them to move into second place in the American League East — 3-½ games behind the New York Yankees. All this after losing 15 of their previous 18 contests.

We feel that through all the injuries, through all the ups and downs, we’ve put ourselves with the opportunity to make a run at it in the second half, David DeJesus told the Tampa Bay Times.

In order for Tampa Bay to remain relevant from this point forward, the offense — which currently stands 13th in the AL in runs — must be more consistent. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have scored 77 more runs than any team in the majors. However, Toronto has dropped its last four series while going 4-10.

Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi, Erasmo Ramirez, and Chris Archer over the course of the next three days. Odorizzi (5-5, 2.30 ERA) was solid in his first start since missing a little over a month with an oblique injury, limiting the Astros to two hits in 5-2/3 scoreless innings on Saturday. The righty has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 13 outings in 2015, holding opponents to a .210 average. Odorizzi is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four career starts versus the Blue Jays, and has controlled Jose Bautista (0-for-9), Jose Reyes (1-for-10) and Edwin Encarnacion (1-for-8). Ramirez allowed just one run on four hits, while walking one and fanning five over six innings on Friday night. The smiley one has culled an impressive 95.2% LOB over his last 25-2/3 innings of work, something no other starter in the rotation can say. Archer wasn’t so great in his last start, surrendering nine runs and 12 hits while striking out six and walking two over six innings. The All-Star righty will look to bounce back against a Blue Jays team he has fared well against in the past.

Despite a less than operable outcome in the last meeting between the two teams (6/22-6/25), Tampa Bay is 7-3 against Toronto this season with nine games remaining in the season series. What’s more, the Rays are 5-1 in games decided by two runs or less against the Jays. The road warriors are 22-18 on the road this year — the fifth straight season for the Rays playing above .500 on the road (the longest active streak in the majors). They are 240-208 on the road since 2010.

Rays and Blue Jays series starters in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays series starters in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays by the numbers.
Rays and Blue Jays by the numbers.

Drew Hutchison: Hutchinson (8-2, 5.33) has struggled in his last two starts, yielding 11 runs (nine earned) over 9-2/3 innings after going 5-0 in his previous seven outings. The 24 year-old righty has been much better at home (6-1, 2.12 ERA) than on the road (2-1, 8.81), although he is 3-2 lifetime versus the Rays with a plus five ERA. Key matchups: Joey Butler (2-3), David DeJesus (2-5, HR, 2 RBI), Jake Elmore (1-2, 2B, BB), Logan Forsythe (1-4, BB), Brandon Guyer (1-3), John Jaso (2-3, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (4-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB), James Loney (4-8, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

RA Dickey: Per Rotowire, Dickey (3-10, 4.87) pitched well Thursday, conceding two earned runs across seven innings while striking out six, but was tagged with the loss against the White Sox. The Rays won all three games they played the Jays with Dickey on the mound in 2015, tagging the knuckle baller for 12 runs in 17-2/3 innings. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (5-17, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Brandon Guyer (2-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB), John Jaso (1-4, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (10-37, 4 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB), Grady Sizemore (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB)

Marco Estrada: Per Rotowire, Estrada (6-5, 3.52 ERA) pitched well in a loss to the Royals on Friday, allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two over 6-2/3 innings. Estrada has increased his reliance upon his change-up to great effect: “He’s throwing the change more often than ever before, and it’s still getting as many whiffs as ever (23.1% whiff rate),” wrote Eno Saris (FanGraphs). “…Estrada has the fourth-best change-up among starters by whiff rate. But if you look at his overall line, you can see he’s doing the same thing as ever — showing a great whiff rate, a decent walk rate, a low BABIP… and a terrible home run rate.” Estrada has pitched well against Tampa Bay this season, allowing no runs in 13 innings (one start). Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (2-5, 2B), Brandon Guyer (1-4, RBI), John Jaso (1-3), James Loney (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Grady Sizemore (1-1, BB)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are looking toward the August return of Desmond Jennings and Drew Smyly to help make a difference in the second half, rather than any huge trade at the July 31 deadline. Although the chance to bolster the offense — to better supplement their strong pitching and defense — may warrant attention.

Per Marc Topkin,

Even then, it would be a small, under-the-radar move, adding a part-time player they can use in a specialized role. But if they wanted to dream big, and at least consider trading for a proven big bat, they would find some options, perhaps none more appealing than San Diego’s Justin Upton, who could add right-handed power and would have less than $7 million left on the last year of his contract.

— Joey Butler batted .338 through June 23 but has recorded only four hits in 41 at-bats since then.

— The Rays placed Asdrubal Cabrera, who has committed only two errors in 82 contests, on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.

— 2B Devon Travis is 9-20 over his last five games and is hitting .370 versus the Rays this season.

— Slugger Jose Bautista, who missed the All-Star Game with a sore shoulder, is expected back for the Blue Jays while teammate Jose Reyes is 14-38 during an eight-game hitting streak.

Of Archer and Box, the Rays Stadium Saga, and Long Homers

Your 2015 Tampa Bay Rays All-Stars, Brad Boxberger and Chris Archer. (Photo Credit: Marc Topkin)
Update: Marc Topkin offered an addendum of sorts (regarding one of the hyphenated topics below), writing:

Still not sure how commissioner Rob Manfred confused getting encouragement about the team’s future from talking with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (which makes sense) and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (which would have been bigger news).

There really isn’t much to speak of with this being the All-Star Break, and me being on vacation. Still a few nuggets of Tampa Bay Rays related news and updates follow.

― Marc Topkin writes that Chris Archer is expected to take the mound in the fourth and/or fifth innings in tonight’s All-Star Game, while Brad Boxberger is likely to pitch in the sixth or seventh.

― MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred met with the media during a q-and-a session with members of the Baseball Writers Association of America for his annual discussion of all things baseball at the midway point of the season. The topic of the Rays Stadium Saga invariably came up.

Manfred said that he is encouraged by the political support for the Rays ― including Tampa Mayor Buckhorn ― and got a sense that the area politicos want to get something done to keep the team in the area. There was no indication that he made an effort to speak with the mayor of St. Petersburg or the city council.

I find encouraging the fact that it seems that politicians in the area (broadly defined) are interested in getting something done and keeping the Rays in St. Petersburg-Tampa or Tampa-St. Petersburg, which ever way you want to say it. I find that to be encouraging.

The attendance problem continues to be a big concern for Major League Baseball, although he sees it as an indictment of the facility (Tropicana Field) and ― per Marc Topkin ― location, not the viability of the market. Manfred reiterated that Major League Baseball “absolutely feels the (Tampa Bay) market is viable.”

MLB is not yet at the stage of considering relocation for the Rays, nor will they unless Manfred and Stu Sternberg conclude a new stadium in the Tampa Bay area is “not possible.” The commissioner, however, is “open to the idea” that expansion may be possible, and they (MLB) have a list of viable cities ― including Montreal.

― Brad Boxberger with his daughter Ava Marie on the All-Star red carpet:

― The fine folks at Mitchell & Ness wanted to honor this great pastime by finding the longest home run hit in each of the current MLB stadiums then plotting the flight path of each ball at this year’s All-Star venue, Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The interactive graphic portrays some of the most iconic home runs in the game.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Sweep ‘Stros, Retake Second Place

How sweep it is! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Matt Moore finally won his first game for the Tampa Bay Rays since his return from the DL and David DeJesus scored two runs and drove in an RBI in a 4-3 win on Sunday against the former AL West leading Houston Astros. With the sweep, Tampa Bay enters the All-Star Break at 46-45, 3-1/2 games out of first place in the AL East and with sole possession of second.

Down by one in the second inning, James Loney worked leadoff walk, but Logan Forsythe ground into a fielder’s choice to keep one on with one out. David DeJesus followed with a liner to the gap in right center that scored Forsythe from first base and resulted in DeJesus standing on third base with a triple. After a Jake Elmore strikeout, and with Kevin Kiermaier in the batter’s box, Astros’ starter Lance McCullers bounced a wild pitch past Jason Castro that allowed DeJesus to score, giving the Rays a one run advantage.

Houston and Tampa Bay traded the lead two innings later when Moore gave up a two-out, two-run, 0-2 homer to Astros All-Star second baseman, Jose Altuve.

Trailing 3-2, the Rays regained the lead in the fifth, rallying for two runs against McCullers — who fanned 10 in six innings. DeJesus led off with a single to left, and Elmore responded in kind by hitting a two-strike single to right. Kevin Kiermaier grounded hard to first, although he was able to advance the runners into scoring position. Then Curt Casali and John Jaso worked back-to-back walks, knotting the game at three apiece. Grady Sizemore capped the inning by beating out a potential double-play ball — the RBI groundout put Tampa Bay in front.

That put Moore on the winning side of the ledger. The lefty went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out three. It was his longest start with the Rays this year. To be clear, although the start wasn’t sparkling, it was good enough to help the lefty build confidence. While Moore struggled with his fastball command, and though he didn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason for what he threw and when, Matt Moe sprinkled in a few well executed breaking balls to keep the Astros off-balance. Post surgery Moore continues to be a work in progress, but he was able to hand the ball over to the bullpen to secure the victory.

Brandon Gomes worked around a one-out single and a two-out walk in the sixth, coaxing an inning ending fly-ball out to center from Jose Altuve to escape the jam. Steve Geltz allowed a leadoff hit to Marwin Gonzalez an inning later, but retired the next three batters, culminating in an inning ending Colby Rasmus fly-ball out to the warning track in left. Kevin Jepsen got the eighth and threw another 1-2-3 inning, then Tampa Bay’s All-Star closer Brad Boxberger came on and did the same in the ninth for his 23rd save.

The Rays now have a four-day All-Star Break before resuming play on Friday in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

Kevin Cash assessed the first half of play after the win:

Noteworthiness

— Jaso paused in the fifth inning after working the game tying bases-loaded walk. The DH/OF said he lost track of the count because, per Matt Baker (Tampa Bay Times) he was so focused on trying to get a hit to atone for striking out in his previous two at-bats:

That was all I was really thinking about. I didn’t really think about getting an RBI by walking.

— Go get ’em Arch and Boxy!

— Dallas Keuchel, not Chris Archer or Chris Sale, will be getting the start for the AL in tomorrow’s All-Star Game. I’d reckon Archer’s nine earned run audition against Ned Yost’s Royals did him no favors. I digress.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win Second Straight, 3-0; Cabrera to the DL

Evan Longoria slides safely into second base as Jose Altuve waits for the ball on the stolen base in the eighth inning (Photo Credit: Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
Evan Longoria slides safely into second base as Jose Altuve waits for the ball on the stolen base in the eighth inning (Photo Credit: Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
A little more than month after he exited a game against the Seattle Mariners with a strained left oblique, Jake Odorizzi returned to the mound and helped the Tampa Bay Rays win their second straight game against the Houston Astros, this time by a score of 3-0. Odorizzi and four relievers combined on a three-hitter in the win. At 45-45, Tampa Bay is back at the .500 mark with one game left to go until the All-Star Break.

The Rays incurred their damage in the second inning against one of the best pitchers in the game, Dallas Keuchel. Logan Forsythe led off the inning with a base-hit, but Joey Butler grounded into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. After James Loney went down swinging, Asdrubal Cabrera doubled to left center — moving both  runners into scoring position. Jake Elmore followed with a full count walk to load the bases, and Rene Rivera responded with a two-run single to left. The play, however, was costly as Cabrera suffered a right hamstring strain while scoring and did not return to the game (more on that below). Brandon Guyer followed with an RBI single to left to cap the rally.

Meanwhile Odorizzi, along with a little help from the ‘pen, stifled the Astros. Odorizzi posted 5-2/3 innings off scoreless ball, allowing two just hits and three walks while fanning five. Odorizzi’s toughest jam was in the fourth, when he allowed the first two batters to reach on a single and a walk. The righty came back with a strikeout of Colby Rasmus, and coaxed a popper out of Evan Gattis to right. Unfortunately he allowed a free pass to Luis Valbuena to load the bases. With the shutout in the balance, Odorizzi forced a first-pitch popper out of Hank Conger in foul territory, which Evan Longoria snared to end the rally.

With the exception of a few moments where Odorizzi looked like he was trying to be a little too fine, resulting in four free passes a high pitch count, he looked like his old self. Odorizzi’s fastball velocity was down a tick — sitting in the low-90s — although that will bump back up as he builds back his arm strength. His splange (split-change) looked great and fooled hitters all afternoon with a ton of late movement. In short, Odorizzi looks like he is ready to pick up where he left off in early June.

Steve Geltz, who now has stranded 17 of 19 inherited runners, entered the game two outs into the sixth and forced Gattis into an inning ending fielder’s choice to second.

Jake McGee took the mound for Tampa Bay in the seventh. The high-leverage lefty gave up a one-out walk to Conger, and a double to Marwin Gonzalez after striking out Chris Carter (swinging). With two one and two out, Astros’ All-Star Jose Altuve flew out to right to end the frame.

Kevin Jepsen posted another 1-2-3 eighth — his second in two days — and Rays’ All-Star closer Brad Boxberger gave up just a two-out walk to Conger in the ninth, subsequently earning his 22nd save.

While Cabrera said it felt like he was shot as he rounded third on the ill fated play, he conceded that his hamstring felt better after the game:

It’s much better right now. I thought it was really, really bad, but I feel much better.

Cabrera underwent an MRI Sunday morning, and it was determined that his right hamstring strain was severe enough to place him on the 15-day DL due. INF Tim Beckham has been recalled from the Triple-A Durham Bulls to take his place on the roster.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay will play its final game before the All-Star Break with the opportunity to sweep the top team in the AL West. Matt Moore will take the mound for the Rays (45-45), who start the day 3-1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East. Moore has allowed a gaudy eight runs in nine innings in his first two outings since returning from the DL. Lance McCullers will get the start for the Houston Astros. McCullers, a Tampa native, has been exceptional in his first 10 big league starts, not allowing more than three runs in any one game. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/12/15 Starting Lineup

 

Noteworthiness

— Drew Smyly threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Saturday that, per Roger Mooney (Tampa Tribune) received glowing reviews from those who watched.

He’s not historically one of the better bullpen performers, and that was probably one of the better bullpen performances I’ve ever seen, pitching coach Jim Hickey said.

Smyly threw 30 pitches, sat down while All-Star Chris Archer threw, then threw 30 more to simulate pitching two innings.

Smyly will throw again Monday then toss live batting practice Thursday in Port Charlotte — his first live BP session since he returned to the disabled list on May 9.

Smyly is expected to return in August. Interestingly enough, the team believes the torn labrum is an old injury, and not the root of the soreness Smyly felt in his shoulder after he pitched against the Red Sox in May.