Rays 6/9/15 Starting Lineup
Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Cabrera SS
Elmore 3B
Franklin 1B
Rivera C
Karns RHP
Noteworthiness
— The Tampa Bay Rays made the unfortunate news official, RHP Jake Odorizzi has been placed on the 15-day DL with a mild-to-moderate strained left oblique. The team corresponded by recalling RHP Andrew Bellatti from Triple-A Durham. Per pitching coach Jim Hickey, who initially broke the news story this morning on MLB Network Radio, Odorizzi is expected to miss at least a few weeks after sustaining the injury in Friday night’s game against the Mariners. The righty hopes to play catch later this week, though it’s unclear when he’ll be back on the mound.
Whether Bellatti or Enny Romero takes Odorizzi’s spot in the rotation is unknown at the moment.
— Third baseman Evan Longoria (sore wrist) is out of the lineup for the third consecutive game; he hoped to return after missing games on Saturday and Sunday. Longoria said he tested his wrist in the batting cage, and the decision was to give him one more day rest. He remains confident it’s nothing serious, in fact Longoria said he’s available off the bench tonight and should return to the lineup tomorrow.
Asdrubal Cabrera is back in the lineup, after sitting out Sunday with a hyperextended elbow, hitting seventh behind Jake Elmore, who is again filling in for Longoria at third base.
— With first day of the MLB first year player draft in the books, the Tampa Bay Rays picked up two players last night; Outfielder Garrett Whitley, and Catcher Chris Betts. Below are some thoughts (albethem incomplete thoughts) on Whitley and Betts. We’ll follow tomorrow with a piece on the players Tampa Bay snagged today. Until then, be sure to follow our Tumblr for draft updates.
CF Garrett Whitley, New York H.S. (18 Y.O. 6’1 195, R/R- committed to Wake Forest)
Per Scott Grauer (DRaysBay),
Best tool: Whitley is a plus runner, maybe better.
Analysis: Whitley has the potential for four above-average or better tools. His bat speed is top of the line, and his approach is advanced compared to his peers. He covers ground in center field and should be able to handle the position as a professional. His arm is below average.
Stock: Toolsy players from the northeast typically give teams pause in the first round, but Whitley’s performance on the showcase circuit has removed some of the uncertainty.
Per Christopher Crawford (Baseball Prospectus),
The right-handed hitting outfielder has plus-plus speed and is a lock for center field. While there’s a lot of work to be done with the approach, he’s also got above-average to plus hit and power tools. He likely fell because of the northeast bias, but I think we’ve seen that guys from the northeast can do alright. Whitley isn’t as talented as that one guy from New Jersey, but the upside is as good as any prep player not named Brendan Rodgers.
Per Ben Badler (Baseball America),
Garrett Whitley was the No. 7 prospect on the BA 500. Rays got him at No. 13. Plus tools with pitch recognition? That’s a good recipe.
There doesn’t seem to be a signability concern with Whitley, as he told Topkin he’s ready to move into his pro career:
Matt Silverman was also interviewed about the draft choice. Interestingly enough, Silverman spoke to the reasoning why the team didn’t target a pitcher who could develop quickly after being faced with depleted pitching depth in the farm system:
Chris Archer extended a message of congratulations to Whitley via Twitter:
Congrats @RealGWhit! It’s a special day for you and your family. Enjoy the process of getting better each and every day from now on.
— Chris Archer (@ChrisArcher42) June 9, 2015
Catcher Chris Betts, Wilson High School, Long Beach, California. The Rays were pleasantly surprised to get Betts, who was ranked 28th overall by Baseball America. He was expected to draft much higher, however, a forearm strain limited him to DH duties during his senior season. That he is still being rehabbed may have been a factor. Betts boasts left-handed power, hitting .471 with 8 homers and 28 RBI in 68 at-bats and a strong arm (though the forearm strain limited his throwing during his senior season). Rays scouting director RJ Harrison said the team was confident his injury is just a strain void of any structural damage. The plan, once he is signed, is to continue his rehab in Port Charlotte. Harrison also spoke about his big arm, also noting his ability to play anywhere on the field thanks to his bat: Per ESPN,
Betts doesn’t have the “wow” skills of (Tyler) Stephenson but is a more advanced hitter and receiver now, earning comps to Brian McCann as an offense-first backstop who projects to have enough defensive value to stay at the position.
Per Baseball America,
He features good size for a catcher, improving receiving ability after an offseason spent working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, and plus raw arm strength. (…) He may hit enough for the bat to play at first base if catching doesn’t work out, but he has intangibles and arm strength to catch and has star potential if he can stay at the position.
Rays having a solid draft, add Chris Betts who I think will catch and hit enough to play even if he doesn’t.
He was anticipated to be an expensive signing, all things considered, but the player might not only be motivated to simply get pen to paper and move on to professional rehab, but excited as well.
So extremely lucky to be drafted by @RaysBaseball I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity I’ve been given, thank you Tampa Bay @MLB
— Chris Betts (@ChrisBetts26) June 9, 2015