Tampa Bay Rays: Kolten Wong angry at Rays organization

Brothers need to watch out for each other, even if that means going after another organization. Kolten Wong did just that by calling out the Tampa Bay Rays for not promoting his brother.

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Kean Wong had a solid year in his second season with the AAA Durham Bulls. The second baseman produced a respectable .282/.345/.406 batting line, hitting nine homers and 23 doubles. He was an All Star at AAA this past season, and was named the Top Star for the International League in the contest. The 23 year old certainly had an excellent season.

And yet, even with rosters expanding come September, Wong has not been called up to the majors. Perhaps this is in part because of the Bulls postseason run, including their championship game on Tuesday night. Nonetheless, one could easily say that Wong deserves a place on the major league roster.

One of those people who believe that is his older brother, Kolten Wong. The St. Louis Cardinals second baseman called the Rays “a bad organization” for bypassing his brother, saying that Tampa Bay “doesn’t give chances to guys who deserve chances.”

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One could understand why Kolten Wong would feel that way. The Rays have called up players like Rob Refsnyder and Andrew Velasquez while bypassing Wong. However, they also promoted Willy Adames, their top hitting prospect, and the vastly underrated Brandon Lowe. It is easy to argue that the latter two deserve a look at the major league level before Wong does.

It is also possible that Wong simply does not have a future with the Rays. Adames and Lowe could well be the future for the Rays in the middle of the infield. Lowe has done nothing but hit at every level he has been at, and has been solid at the major league level. In his 105 plate appearances at the major league level, Lowe has produced a solid .247/.362/.506 batting line, hitting five homers and stealing two bases. That production definitely deserves a long look.

Likewise, Wong deserves a look at the major league level. The problem is, the Rays may not have room for him as a piece for the future. As the Rays look to build on an impressive season, it may not be a surprise to see a player like Wong traded elsewhere.

Kolten Wong is upset at the Tampa Bay Rays organization for not promoting his brother, Kean Wong. They just may not have any room on the roster for him.