Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander spoke with reporters yesterday on the opening of the workforce’s Spring Coaching camp. He addressed a pair of positions of relative uncertainty because the season approaches: shortstop and catcher.
On the former, Neander urged the workforce anticipates José Caballero opening the 12 months because the starter (hyperlink through Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Occasions). Tampa Bay acquired the 27-year-old from the Mariners over the winter, sending outfielder Luke Raley to Seattle. Caballero had appeared in 104 video games as a rookie, working a reasonably modest .221/.343/.320 batting line with 4 homers over 280 plate appearances.
Whereas Caballero doesn’t present a lot energy, he drew walks at a powerful 10% clip. That allowed him to achieve base pretty ceaselessly and wreak havoc on the basepaths. Caballero stole 26 luggage in 29 makes an attempt and rated as a wonderful baserunner total. He additionally drew robust grades for his protection at each center infield positions. Caballero spent extra time at second base in Seattle in deference to J.P. Crawford however appears a ok athlete to deal with shortstop.
It’s an analogous profile to Taylor Partitions, one other highly-regarded defender with minimal offensive upside. Partitions, a switch-hitter, is coming off a .201/.305/.333 line with eight homers in 349 plate appearances. He was profitable on 22 of 23 stolen base makes an attempt. Partitions might push Caballero for the job as soon as he’s wholesome, though he’ll start the season on the injured checklist after present process surgical procedure to restore a labrum tear in his proper hip final October. Partitions is a bit delayed however isn’t anticipated to be sidelined too deep into the season.
(Neander stated the workforce didn’t have any replace on Wander Franco, who was reinstated to the roster in a procedural transfer at first of the offseason. MLB remains to be awaiting the outcomes of the authorized course of within the Dominican Republic after Franco was accused of sexual abuse of a minor.)
Past Caballero and Partitions, Tampa Bay has a pair of well-regarded younger infielders who might push for shortstop reps throughout the season. Junior Caminero is broadly seen among the many high 5 to 10 prospects within the sport. Osleivis Basabe has by no means been that extremely touted however is mostly seen as one of many higher skills within the Rays’ system.
Caminero made the leap instantly from Double-A to the majors on the tail finish of final season. He had a monster .324/.384/.591 exhibiting as a 19-year-old between Excessive-A and Double-A a 12 months in the past however has but to play a Triple-A sport. Basabe appeared in his first 31 MLB contests final season. He struggled to a .218/.277/.310 exhibiting. The 23-year-old had a stronger 12 months at Triple-A Durham, hitting 296/.351/.426 by 94 contests.
The Rays have 12 listed infielders on their 40-man roster, though nearly all of the group is healthier suited to positions aside from shortstop. In contrast, they’re the one workforce carrying one catcher. René Pinto is the one backstop at the moment on the foremost league membership. Whereas they’ll clearly add another person by Opening Day, Topkin writes in a separate piece that the Rays are pleased with Pinto as their major catcher.
Pinto, 27, had an intriguing 39-game stint final season. He linked on six homers in solely 105 plate appearances. His 34:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio isn’t encouraging, however there’s a restricted bar to clear offensively at catcher. The Rays, like many groups, have a tendency to emphasise protection on the place. Pinto’s blocking metrics have been subpar in restricted MLB motion, however he drew strong grades as a pitch framer and showcased plus arm energy.
Alex Jackson and Rob Brantly are in camp as non-roster invitees and have MLB expertise. Logan Driscoll and Nick Meyer additionally acquired invitations to Spring Coaching however have topped out at Triple-A. Certainly one of Jackson or Brantly would doubtless safe the backup job out of camp. Neander indicated the workforce would regulate the marketplace for depth additions however urged they’re content material with Pinto because the starter.