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Tampa Bay Rays call up Jacob Faria to start on Wednesday

By Phil Akre

Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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On the heels of a brutal road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays have called up some fresh reinforcements from the minor leagues.

After being swept by the Seattle Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays finished up a 10-day road trip, one that wasn’t too kind.

Rays ace Chris Archer didn’t hold back his feelings regarding the road trip. Per the Tampa Bay Times:

"“Probably one of the worst trips I’ve personally been a part of, and it’s going to take some time to catch up.”"

After the 4-5 finish on the trip, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the team would most likely call up one of pitching prospects Jose De Leon or Jacob Faria.

Topkin was right, as Faria was called up and is expected to start on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Faria, the 23-year-old righty, posted a 3.07 ERA and 6-1 record across 11 starts for Triple-A Durham. His most recent outing saw him pitch seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

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It makes sense that De Leon didn’t get the call, as the 24-year-old still needs some seasoning in the minors, with an ERA above 4.00.

Many will remember that De Leon was the key (and only) piece acquired in the Logan Forsythe deal this past winter.

It’s surprising to see that the top prospect has needed such an immense amount of work in Triple-A, as he will be turning 25 this August.

Currently the No. 27 prospect in the game according to MLB.com, De Leon would have been the preseason favorite among Rays prospects to accumulate the most innings in the majors.

However, Faria, a 10th rounder from the 2011 draft, struck out 84 batters and walked just 22 through 59 innings this season in Triple-A.

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Tampa Bay will hope that Faria can help continue the success of a staff that has the sixth best ERA (4.01) in the game.

De Leon, on the other hand, will have to prove himself in the minor leagues before earning a promotion.

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