Rays’ Snell Has Yet to Allow A Run in 2015

If there is one thing the Tampa Bay Rays have been known for over the past decade it is developing talented young arms down on the farm. It seems like they have another one in the works.

Blake Snell is the No. 10 rated Rays’ prospect and the fourth rated pitcher in the system. The 22-year old left hander has simply been on fire and has not allowed a run in the 2015 season over six appearances (four starts). He has gone six frames in each of his last three outings, seeing his strikeout rate rise and his walk rate lower.

The 2011 first round compensation pick by the Rays (selected 52nd overall) was considered a bit on the raw side with a sharp fastball and control issues when drafted. Then again, what teenager wouldn’t be? What Snell has shown over his last four seasons is the ability to grow into the pitcher the Rays envisioned when drafting him. He has steadily improved each season, and perhaps now, he has it all going.

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Snell has already seen two levels this season and should his trends continue, he will probably see Triple-A as well. Snell started the season with the Charlotte Snow Crabs in the Florida State League. He came out of the bullpen in his first appearance of the season, relieving Drew Smyly after his two innings in his rehab start. Snell would go head-to-head with Minnesota Twins’ elite pitching prospect Kohl Stewart of the Fort Myers Miracle, hurling six innings of shutout ball, striking out 10, walking none and allowing only three hits. It was a precursor of what would follow.

Since then he has been nothing short of sensational. Snell ran into some of his old control problems in his last two starts with Charlotte before being promoted to Double-A. He walked a total of nine batters in those consecutive appearances (5 and 4 respectively), but that has been the only issues of wildness Snell has shown this young season. Since moving into the Montgomery Biscuits rotation at Double-A (Southern League), Snell has walked three batters while striking out 16.

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It is still early in the season, but 33 straight scoreless innings is impressive at any time of the year, especially for a starter who seems to last 6 innings an outing. The Durham Bulls, the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate, is lacking in any elite pitching prospects in their rotation, so if Snell goes another strong month, keeping his walks down and strikeouts up, he should surely land in Triple-A sooner than later.

Snell sits at 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 14 walks over his first 33 innings of 2015.