3 under-the-radar Tampa Bay Rays players off to a hot start

The Tampa Bay Rays are dominating their MLB schedule to open the season. The undefeated Rays are drawing plenty of attention for a history-making start to 2023. With their win on Sunday, they moved to 9-0 and tied the 1984 Detroit Tigers and 1990 Cincinnati Reds for the seventh-longest unbeaten streak to open a season. Both the Tigers and Reds won the World Series in those years.

Everyone knows about Randy Arozarena with his WBC heroics and hitting .375 with 10 RBI in eight games. Then there is the ravings about Wander Franco vaulting to superstardom with his .361 average and four homers. In this article, however, I want to look at three of the under-the-radar Tampa Bay Rays players that have them chasing the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers’ 13-game undefeated streak.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Issac Paredes

The first unsung hero of the Rays’ hot streak is Issac Paredes, sitting with a slash line of .308/.400/.938 with nine RBI. The 24-year-old third baseman, in his second season with the Rays, is hitting 100 points higher than he has throughout his four-year career.

Watch him below demolish the A’s pitching for a grand slam Saturday.

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe

Next up on our three under-the-radar Rays players tearing up MLB is Lowe. With a first glance at Lowe’s stats, you wouldn’t think he was anything more than average, batting .250, but the real value is in his plate discipline. Lowe has six walks in his first eight games, bringing his OBP to a terrific .423.

If that wasn’t enough, check out the grand slam that opened up Sunday’s game against the A’s.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri

Last on the under-the-radar Rays players list is Jose Siri. The Rays have by far the most runs scored in baseball, with 72 through Sunday’s game. Jose Siri has driven in eight of those. In addition to the RBI, he has contributed five runs while hitting .318 on the season. He is stellar in center field and certainly could contend for a Gold Glove this year. Unfortunately for the Rays, Siri is heading to the injured list with a right hamstring strain, but he has certainly made an impact for Tampa Bay early in the season.

What’s next for the Tampa Bay Rays?

The Rays are off to a hot start, and 9-0 is an impressive feat MLB fans haven’t seen in over 20 years. On Monday, they will host the first of four games against the division rival Boston Red Sox as they go for their 10th win since opening the season. If they win, they will join the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers at number four on the list of longest season-opening wins. By the way, the Dodgers won the World Series that year as well.