Free Agent Pitchers Make The Rotation Among The Best In The Game
Tampa Bay made some under-the-radar additions in free agency that have worked well for them so far. This includes pitchers Steven Matz and Nick Martinez, who were brought in to stabilize the starting rotation, and they have exceeded expectations. Tampa Bay has a 5-1 record in the six games Matz has started so far, and he’s pitched at least 5 innings in all but one of the starts.
Martinez has an earned run average (ERA) of 1.70 and a walks/hits per 9 innings (WHIP) of 1.00 through his six starts. He’s been the best pitcher on the staff so far. Along with Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan, the strong performances of Matz and Martinez give the Rays a strong starting rotation that will win a lot of games.
Help On The Way
The Rays have gotten off to a great start while missing some important players. Those on the injured list include starting pitchers Joe Boyle and Ryan Pepiot, relief pitchers Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta, and second baseman Gavin Lux. The bullpen has gotten off to a slow start, with Tampa Bay overusing its better relievers and relying on lesser pitchers to cover for it.
Cleavinger and Uceta have been effective in high-leverage situations for the Rays in the past. Lux is a former first-round pick and has shown good on-base skills in his career. Getting these players back will only strengthen the Rays’ units with more depth and options to use.
Tampa Bay also has young talent in the minor leagues that they can promote to play or trade to raise the ceiling of the team. Rated as having one of the better farm systems in the MLB, prospects like Carson Williams, Jacob Melton, and Brody Hopkins will be called on to make an impact this season. Williams is a future star, with power and defense that will upgrade shortstop, adding another top talent to their lineup.
The Rays have gotten off to a hot start to the surprise of many. There is still plenty of baseball to be played, but Tampa Bay has given reasons to believe they can sustain their strong play. The lineup will continue to produce with their contact and speed, and on the backs of their top players like Aranda, Caminero, and Diaz. The pitching staff has enough depth to work with, getting strong performances from the rotation.
Players like Lux and Cleaving will be back soon from the injury list to help, and expect to see some of their top prospects contribute later in the season. Without the luxury of having many high-end players, the continued growth of players in the pipeline gives Tampa Bay the chance at adding potential upgrades down the stretch to aid the playoff push. Barring catastrophic injuries or sheer bad luck, the Tampa Bay Rays are built to continue to defy preseason expectations all year and into the playoffs.
