Call to the pen
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Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Prospects For 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays bag, rosin and baseballs lay in the bullpen prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays bag, rosin and baseballs lay in the bullpen prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; West pitcher Brent Honeywell of the Tampa Bay Rays during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; West pitcher Brent Honeywell of the Tampa Bay Rays during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Brent Honeywell, RHP

Birthdate: 3/31/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AA
Stats in 2016: 115 1/3 IP, 2.34 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 5.52 BB%, 25.83 K%

Honeywell could make a very good argument for #1 in the system, and he’s established himself as a top 25-30 prospect in the entire system.

Honeywell is known most around the game as the guy who throws a screwball. Because the pitch is so rarely seen, the fact that he even throws it is notable, but he actually is quite good with the pitch, able to locate the pitch very well.

Honeywell is not just a “trick pitch” sort of guy, either. He has a fastball that he can run up to 96-97 but sits more in the low-90s with effective movement throughout a game.

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On top of his screwball, he has a change that is a plus offering and gets plenty of weak contact and some swing and miss. His curve has become more consistent, but it’s certainly his fourth pitch in the mix.

Honeywell has a very smooth delivery, and he’s maintained that as he has filled out into his frame after being drafted in 2014 as a long, lanky high schooler.

He seemed to get even better after he moved up to AA in 2016, and going to the Arizona Fall League just dialed up his notice even further as scouts seeing him there raved about his competitiveness.

He’ll likely start at AAA in 2017, and there’s a good chance that he’ll get the first call to fill a hole in the Rays rotation opened due to injury or poor performance.

Next: #1

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