Just before the season started, the Tampa Bay Rays traded outfielder Austin Meadows to the Detroit Tigers and received infielder Isaac Paredes in return.
Rays fans were surprised by the move from their team and some even questioned it. Even Paredes said himself that he was stunned when he heard the news that he would be heading to Tampa.
According to Evan Woodberry, “Paredes said in an interview before the second game of this series that he was surprised and wasn’t expecting it.”
However, he made sure his feelings were heard in the final game of the series against the Detroit Tigers.
Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays gets revenge against the Detroit Tigers
Fast forward a little over a month into the season and the Rays have their first chance against the Tigers this season.
Heading into the third week of May, the Detroit Tigers ventured their way to St. Pete to take on the Rays. With the recent news coming from MLB reporter Adam Berry that Brandon Lowe would be out with an injury for some time, they thought it was best to bring Paredes back up to the team to face the Tigers.
And boy was it.
Although he only had two plate appearances in the first two games of the three-game series, he left his mark on the final one.
Paredes had been given the start at third base in the final game of the series against his former team. In this game, Paredes went 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI.
His first home run in this game came in the third inning when he smashed a no-doubt homer to left field. After the ball left the bat, Paredes made sure everyone knew he had it out of the park with a slow walk and fiery bat-flip.
The Rays Twitter account tweeted out his home run shortly after.
This one had some spice on it 🥵 pic.twitter.com/0tlq0KwgQ2
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 18, 2022
His second one came in the eighth to seal the deal over his former team, 6-1.
In his small amount of work this season with Tampa Bay, Paredes has had one multi-hit game but never had a home run.
On Wednesday, he blasted his first two home runs with the Rays. It also marked his second multi-hit game with the team.
Paredes is now hitting .280 with two home runs and four RBI on the season.