SB Nation Blog: RATW

Congrats to Cedrick Bowers One of the original Devil Ray draft picks (4th Round, 1996), after eight years in the Rays system (three at Triple-A) and four years in Japan, Cedrick Bowers finally got "The Call" yesterday; he was promoted to the major leagues by the Colorado Rockies. Best of luck!

RATW — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:49:45 -0000

http://www.geocities.com/yuk-t/bowers08.jpg

J.P. Howell workload

RATW — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:00:42 -0000

Since the start of the season, JP Howell has gone from garbage man/inning eater to the high-leverage bridge between the starter and the stopper/closer. Some (not only here, but the Rays radio guys and probably others I am unaware of) have gone so far as to call him our MVP to this point in the season, which some may see as a reach but not without merit and indicative of his importance. With this success in this new role has come not only increased use, but use in key high-leverage situations.

Just how much has he been used? By my quick and dirty (translation: lazy and possibly wrong) math, even after a slow start to the season Howell is currently on pace for almost 60 appearances and 115 IP this year out of the bullpen.

If memory serves, most high-use relievers usually top out around 80-85 IP, while lefty specialists such as Scott Downs, Jamie Walker and our own ex-Ray Joe Beimel piled up upwards of 80-85 appearances last season.

So my question is..

a) is this kind of consistently high-leverage, heavy workload (by bullpen standards) sustainable or is there an increased risk he is going to either burn out or come down with an injury?

b) are there examples of similar bullpen workload profiles to compare? my memory is falling short here.

c) disregarding the workload, how likely is it that Howell will continue to perform at this level?

Considering Howell has been almost exclusively a starter since at least his college days, I'm probably more concerned about the 60 appearances which would double his career norm (college/minors or minors/majors). Also keep in mind, Howell is only 25 and not a grizzled workhorse.

Some extreme examples of high-leverage, high IP guys from last year: Heath Bell led the majors last year with 93.2 relief innings and seems to be just fine. Aussie Peter Moylan did 90 IP for the Braves last year and he's out for the 2008 season.

Orioles Magic.. this is Birdland.

RATW — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:15:35 -0000

Behind the scenes with Gordon Beckham

RATW — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:25:05 -0000

a.k.a. some guy the Rays are unlikely to draft

Video Interviews: Pedro Alvarez (a.k.a. some guy unlikely to be drafted by the Rays)

RATW — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:55:47 -0000

Crawford hacking.. just how bad?

RATW — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:10:29 -0000

So I went looking at ESPN's sortable stats to determine just how bad Crawford's hacking has been this year.

Carl Crawford (AL Rank out of 98 qualified batters based on at-bats):

Pick you stat..

P/PA: 3.06 (last in American League)

BB: 3 (90th out of 98; Jason Bartlett (2) is last)

BB/PA: .024 (93rd out of 98)

BB/K: 0.20 (94th out of 98.. Jason Bartlett is 97th at 0.13)

The O's announcers last night made an interesting comment concerning Bartlett. They said they talked to either Steve Henderson or George Hendrick (don't remember who exactly) and he said Bartlett was simply pressing, trying to impress his new team and they weren't overly concerned about his slow start.

I'm more concerned about Crawford due to his history of hacking.. but this is both ridiculous and depressing as I'd hoped we would see some improvement by this point in his career.

Doug Waechter sighting

RATW — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:01:15 -0000

He pitched 2 innings for the Marlins tonight (yes, the Rays-loving Marlins)

2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 ER

For those keeping track, former Rays turned Marlins:

Rays farmhands: Jorge Cantu, Doug Waechter, Lee Gardner, Paul Hoover

Originally drafted by the Rays: Andrew Miller, Mike Jacobs, Chris Leroux (A-ball)

Acquired by Rays: Mark Hendrickson

In the Marlins system: Chris Seddon (AAA)

(Not included: minor league vets Willie Glen and Marcos Carvajal have spent time with both the Rays and then the Marlins)

Almost all those guys were originally drafted/signed by Dan Jennings.

Transactions involving former Rays..

RATW — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:53:51 -0000

The Mariners purchased the contract of Greg Norton. He replaces Charlton Jimerson on the roster.

Hideo Nomo is attempting a comeback with the Royals. Unfortunately for him, he gave up two HR's in his first appearance.

Casey Fossum has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.

Former Rays draftees-farmhands-major leaguers:

Paul Hoover was optioned back to the minors by the Marlins. He's actually been pretty good in his very short major league appearances over the last three years with the Fish. Who knows, maybe he fills the always entertaining Rays backup catcher spot in the future.

Older news, Dewon Brazelton showed up late and out of shape for Cardinals spring training camp, ruining a chance to work with reclamation project master Dave Duncan. He was released at the end of spring training, thus probably killing his last chance at a return to the majors.

Other former Rays.. Seth McClung off to a rough start in Milwaukee, same with Lee Gardner with the Marlins. Jorge Cantu hitting well for the Marlins, with two HR, two doubles and shockingly two walks in 41 at-bats.

Opening Day weather..

RATW — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:27:16 -0000

At last check, 30% chance of rain and temperature in the 50's.

Not the most ideal baseball weather.

BTW, weather permitting I'll be at the Thursday night game at Camden Yards. Given the weather, being a midweek game, the O's fans being less than enthused with their team and the Rays being the opponent, it should be an intimate gathering.

Let's go Rays!

Yahoo! baseball writers make 2008 predictions

RATW — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:54:50 -0000

I am a fan of Jeff Passan, so this article caught my eye.

Quite a few Rays getting attention, such as:

AL Rookie of the Year (Evan Longoria)
AL Comeback Player (Troy Percival)
AL MVP-in-waiting (BJ Upton / Evan Longoria)
AL Breakout Pitcher (Matt Garza)

Darkhorse candidates:
AL Rookie of the Year darkhorse (Longoria)
AL Cy Young darkhorse (Scott Kazmir)
AL Batting Champ darkhorse (Carl Crawford)

Just predictions, but interesting nonetheless the volume of Rays mentions.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ys-mlbpredicts032508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns