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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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5. Casey Gillaspie, 1B

Birthdate: 1/25/93 (23 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAA
Stats in 2016: .284/.388/.479, 18 HR, 5 SB

After selecting Gillaspie #20 overall in the 2014 draft, the Rays were hoping the college hitter would quickly move up their system, flashing his big power and solid 1B defense along the way.

Gillaspie is a switch-hitter that is a big guy, but his natural side is the left side, and he generates most of his power from that side. In game, he has plus power from the left side, but in batting practice, he has displayed plus from both sides.

Gillaspie is a switch-hitter that is a big guy, but his natural side is the left side

While Gillaspie has a bit of length to his swing, he has a very consistent swing path, and he has improved his strikeout rate as he’s moved through pro ball, which is impressive in its own right.

Gillaspie has really shown to be tremendously more than his raw tools showed and moved quickly, just as the Rays have hoped. His power is definitely real, and his defense around the bag is very solid.

Gillaspie could give the Rays some reason to consider him in the opening day lineup in the major leagues in 2017.

Next: #4

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