Tampa Bay Rays: Finding the Rays next ace
The Tampa Bay Rays will need to find their next ace in the near future. Who will be ready to step up and take over that role?
When it comes to the Tampa Bay Rays, there is one universal truth – eventually, everyone leaves. Their salaries reach a point where the Rays can no longer afford their services, leading to their being traded elsewhere. Even franchise icon Evan Longoria suffered that same fate, being sent to the Giants last month.
Given the Rays financial situation, it is not a surprise that virtually everyone on the roster is considered to be available. Staff ace Chris Archer has been the subject of trade rumors throughout much of the offseason, even though one could make a case that he is being overvalued on the market. However, as a player under team control through 2021 if both options are picked up, he is far more than a one season rental.
Eventually, such a trade will happen. And when it does, the Rays will need to find that next ace to step into the spotlight. Just as Archer took over from David Price, who in turn took over for James Shields, someone will need to step up in Tampa Bay. But who will be that pitcher?
Let us take a look through the organization, and find the next Tampa Bay Rays ace.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays were looking for a pitcher to give them a spark. Initially called up for a single start, Jake Faria performed well enough where he did not return to Durham.
He had nothing left to prove in the minors at the time of his callup. Faria dominated the International League, posting a 6-1 record with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP, striking out 84 batters in just 58.2 innings. Although Faria had some issues with his command throughout his career, his performance indicated that he was ready for the majors.
That certainly proved to be the case. Faria dominated in his first three starts, and won five of his first six decisions. He eventually tired towards the end of the year and missed a month due to injury, but was still impressive on the mound. Overall, the rookie posted a 5-4 record with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.177 WHiP. In his 86.2 innings, Faria struck out 84 batters while issuing only 31 walks.
Armed with an excellent changeup, Faria may not have the fastball of the prototypical ace. However, he is able to generate an impressive number of strikeouts due to the arm action on that change. If he can continue to improve his command, the biggest challenge may be keeping the ball in the yard, as Faria allowed 11 homers in those 86.2 innings.
Jake Faria has the potential to become an ace for the Tampa Bay Rays. It just may take some time for him to get everything together.
If the Tampa Bay Rays do not have Brent Honeywell as part of their Opening Day pitching staff, it may not be long into the 2018 season before he comes to the majors.
A consensus top 100 prospect in each of the last two seasons, Honeywell was tabbed to start the 2017 Futures Game. He was named the game’s MVP, striking out four batters in two scoreless innings. However, his 2017 was not entirely positive, as he was suspended for four games by the Durham Bulls in August for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.
In regards to his minor league performance, Honeywell did nothing to dispel the notion that he is one of the Rays top prospects. After starting the year in AA, he was swiftly promoted to Durham, and continued to pitch well. In his 136.2 innings last season, Honeywell posted a 13-9 record, along with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.237 WHiP, striking out 172 batters while issuing only 35 walks.
It is easy to project that Honeywell will emerge as a top of the rotation option for the Rays. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft, he has rocketed through the system, stymieing the opposition. Armed with a pitch that has not been seen in years, he may be ready to take the league by storm once he reaches the majors.
Brent Honeywell has nothing left to prove in the minors. His ascension to the Tampa Bay Rays ace may come quickly once he reaches the majors.
At this point, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the rest of the baseball world, have to wonder what Jose De Leon is as a pitcher.
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A consensus top 50 prospect in each of the past two years, De Leon has been an enigma. He has pitched well in the minors, posting a lifetime 25-15 record, along with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.130 WHiP. In his 369 minor league innings, De Leon has struck out 490 batters with only 115 walks. He has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues.
However, that success has not translated to the major league level in his brief stints. In his five games, spanning 19.2 innings, De Leon has a 6.86 ERA and a 1.678 WHiP. While he has struck out 17 batters, he has also issued ten walks. Injuries hampered his 2017 campaign, but even when he was on the mound, he struggled. And yet, he is somehow 3-0 in those outings.
Just like with Jake Faria and Brent Honeywell, De Leon has a lot of talent. Relying primarily on his fastball/change combination, he generates a lot of swings and misses and groundballs when on his game. Should he develop a viable third pitch, De Leon could become a star in the rotation. Otherwise, his future may be in the Rays bullpen, potentially emerging as a late inning weapon.
Jose De Leon may be the riskiest of the Tampa Bay Rays potential aces. He has the stuff, but that lack of a third pitch may put him in the bullpen.