Tampa Bay Rays Minor League prospect Colby White worked through a scoreless frame in Sunday’s contest against the Twins, while right-hander Corey Kluber threw live batting practice in Port Charlotte.
White, a hard-throwing right-hander, was Tampa Bay’s Minor League Reliever of the Year last season after he struck out 104 batters while walking just 15 across 62.1 innings, and performing to a 1.44 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. Because of it, he moved from Low-A Charleston all the way to Triple-A Durham. The 23-year-old leans on a mid-to-upper 90’s fastball that plays well at the top of the zone, a slider he sharpened last season, and a splitter he’s been refining this Spring.
Yesterday, he walked a pair and struck out one against Minnesota, although he got through the inning unscathed.
White said he rushed to the plate a bit with his mechanics yet he was able to make an adjustment later in the frame. He, admittedly, was nervous.
Obviously, I’ve got to get better. Today’s outing, I wasn’t too pleased with it. And for me, it’s just battling — me being where my feet are every day and just getting better, not looking too far into the future. And whatever happens, happens. I’ll be thankful just to be playing the game.
…I should be able to get used to that over the times that I get to do this. It was awesome. Obviously, I wish I could take back the walks. It happens, I’ll get better.
— Colby White
Even so, Rays’ manager Kevin Cash mentioned that the prospect is certainly on the team’s radar.
He settled in. Took him a little longer than probably he wanted to make the adjustment, but once he did, you can see why we talk so much about him.
— Kevin Cash
Meanwhile, back in Port Charlotte, Kluber joined JP Feyereisen, JT Chargois, Brooks Raley, and Matt Wisler in throwing live batting practice on Sunday. Pitching Coach Kyle Snyder told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) that he thought it went extremely well. Kluber threw 39 pitches across two innings plus two batters.
Midseason. His stuff’s midseason right now. Especially the cutter and breaking ball, changeup. He was up to 90. That’s two outings in a row spread between four days. He’ll have a start on Saturday at Boston.
— Kyle Snyder
As noted above, Kluber is tentatively scheduled to pitch in Saturday’s contest against Boston, at which point he should be up to three innings or 40-45 pitches.
The New What Next
Jalen Beeks will be the first 40-man roster pitcher to appear in a game this afternoon — his first game in 19 months. Beeks has been impressive this Spring in his return from Tommy John surgery. Five relievers — Andrew Kittredge, Pete Fairbanks, Colin Poche, Jeffrey Springs, and Jason Adam — are slated to throw live batting practice in Port Charlotte.
Rays 3/21/22 Starting Lineup
- B. Lowe 2B
- Franco SS
- Arozarena RF
- Meadows LF
- Díaz 1B
- Zunino DH
- Mejía C
- Margot CF
- Brujan 3B
Noteworthiness
— Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Rays ace Tyler Glasnow underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right ankle on Friday.
Glasnow, who at last check was throwing from 75 feet, is expected to resume throwing in two to three weeks, according to the team.