Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels continue two way pipeline

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels know a good thing when they see it. That is why they are continuing to look towards adding two way players.

In the coming years, two way players could become more commonplace in the game. Shohei Ohtani has been a rousing success with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a .289/.372/.535 batting line with eight doubles and six homers in 129 plate appearances. On the mound, Ohtani has posted a 4-1 record with a solid 3.18 ERA and a 1.081 WHiP, striking out 57 batters in 45.1 innings while issuing 17 walks.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays have their own two way phenom in Brendan McKay. Although he is a long way from the majors, McKay has had an eye opening campaign in the Rays system. He has produced a combined .238/.446/.307 batting line with five extra base hits. While those numbers may be somewhat disappointing, he has drawn 36 walks in 139 plate appearances, showing an excellent eye at the plate. His work on the mound has been nothing short of spectacular, as he has posted a 1.51 ERA and a 0.480 WHiP, striking out 59 batters with only three walks in 41.2 innings.

Given that success, it is not a surprise that the Angels and Rays would continue to seek two way players to continue their pipeline. Likewise, it is not a surprise that the two players drafted as two way players thus far will be heading to those two teams.

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While it is premature to say that Tanner Dodson and/or William English will be able to match the production of either McKay or Ohtani, both players have been better than expected. Ohtani has been as good as anyone could have imagined in the majors, while McKay has been a force on the mound. The biggest question in McKay’s case is whether or not the Rays want to promote him to the next level, based on his performance on the mound.

As the game continues to evolve, two way players may well prove to be more valuable, especially as they find success. Roster flexibility is important, and having a player that can contribute on the mound, and in the lineup, can make a huge difference, especially in this day and age of specialization.

Considering that we have to go back to the days of Babe Ruth and Martin Dihigo to find viable two way players, this recent success is interesting. Yes, there have been misses, such as with the attempted two way conversion of Christian Bethancourt, but the potential of such players will continue to tantalize.

Next: Rays top ten prospects

It is not a surprise that the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels snagged the first two way players selected in the draft. Just look at the success they have had thus far.