2. Blake Snell – TBR
5 IP, 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.600 WHIP, .111 BAA, 6 K, 0.2 WAR
On a deep pitching staff, the Tampa Bay Rays still have more talent waiting on the farm. They had a lot of off days in April and because of it, were able to roll with a four-man rotation for much of the month. Don’t expect more of the same for May.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Manager Kevin Cash has said he feels pitcher Erasmo Ramirez best impacts the team pitching out of the bullpen, so there’s reason to believe Blake Snell could become a mainstay in the rotation until Alex Cobb is set to return from TJ surgery later this summer.
Snell, a southpaw, is Tampa’s top rated prospect and a former first round draft pick by the Rays back in 2011. He was called up for a spot start on April 23 against the Yankees and performed considerably well, limiting New York to two hits and one earned run over five innings and 90 pitches in the Bronx. He struck out six and only gave a free pass to one batter.
The Rays are spoiled with an above-average pitching staff and some of the deepest arms in the AL East. To think that if everyone remains healthy and effective upon Cobb’s return could mean him being relegated to a bullpen role is clearly indicative of their impressive talent levels. MLB.com currently ranks Snell the No. 12 prospect in all of baseball.
Next: Number 1