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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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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 /

10. Jacob Faria, RHP

Birthdate: 7/30/93 (23 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAA
Stats in 2016: 151 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10.97 BB%, 25.32 K%

A 10th round selection in 2011, the Rays have slowly developed Faria until he took a huge step forward in 2015. Following his two-level jump in 2015, he did the same in 2016, putting him squarely on the organization’s radar going forward.

Faria was a lean, 6’4 righty with an inconsistent fastball when he was selected, and he’s grown into his frame and found consistent velocity as well as a plus change.

Faria has made big strides in all of his pitches, but the one that showed the biggest progress in 2016 was his curve[/p6ullquote]

Faria has made big strides in all of his pitches, but the one that showed the biggest progress in 2016 was his curve, which is a big 12-6 pitch that he keeps in the strike zone but he found himself getting much more swing and miss in 2016 as he kept his arm motion in line with the fastball and change, giving hitters a tough time picking up the pitch out of hand.

Faria has a very solid three-pitch mix that he continues to build up control on, building up consistency in his delivery along the way. He may not grade out as an elite starter, but his sort of pitch combination would work well as a mid-rotation starter or a very solid 7th/8th inning reliever if the Rays choose to move him to the bullpen.

Faria spent 13 starts in AAA in 2016, so it will be interesting to see where he starts 2017. He will have a tough time cracking the Rays opening day rotation, but if he keeps building consistency, he’ll eventually work his way there.

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