BRADENTON, Fla. -- It has been close to three weeks since pitchers and catchers reported, and for the most part it has been a positive camp for the Rays. Opening Day is still 25 days away, and the team will have to make some decisions over the next few weeks.
Here are five things we’ve learned through the first 10 Grapefruit League games:
Trio making a case
Austin Meadows, Daniel Robertson and Brandon Lowe have all faced important Spring Trainings, and they have responded.
When Spring Training began, manager Kevin Cash said that this was a big spring for outfielder Meadows. The 23-year-old battled some shoulder issues at the beginning of camp, but that didn’t keep him out of the lineup as the team used him as the designated hitter. In 15 at-bats, Meadows has a .333/.375/.933 slash line and has handled some of the Rays' leadoff duties.
“We talked about it when Spring Training started [that Meadows] was going to be a big guy to watch,” Cash said. “And he’s been fun to watch.”
Meadows hasn’t gotten many opportunities in right field, but Cash has been encouraged by his progress on the grass. Avisail Garcia is also going to get time in right field this season, but Meadows is certainly making his case for increased action.
Robertson and Lowe have also made an impression on Cash. Robertson has a .538 batting average in 13 at-bats, and Lowe has a 1.588 OPS after a four-hit, six-RBI game Saturday against the Blue Jays.
Robertson made a big impact on the team during the first half of last year before a left wrist injury ended his season, while Lowe made his impact in the last two months. Both are expected to be big contributors for the Rays, and they’re off to a strong start -- even if it’s just Spring Training.
Still no issues at first base
The team won’t name a starting first baseman, but Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz and Lowe have all been tasked with solidifying the position, and so far, so good. Aside from a Lowe error Saturday in Dunedin, the group has played well at first base.
Choi will also find time at designated hitter, Lowe will play second base and the outfield and Diaz will get some time at third base. Because of that versatility, the starter at first base will likely come down to matchups.
Rays moving forward with three starters
The Rays will have some tough decisions to make about the bullpen, but they're going to enter the season with just three starting pitchers. Wilmer Font, Jake Faria, Jalen Beeks, Yonny Chirinos and Ryan Yarbrough are all capable of starting, but the team will go with two bullpen days in the rotation. Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow will be the starters, but the Rays have yet to decide on the order.
Playing the matchups at the top
One of the things the Rays are experimenting with is the leadoff spot. Diaz, Joey Wendle, Brandon Lowe and Meadows have all gotten a turn atop the lineup. Mallex Smith served as the primary leadoff hitter over the last couple of months last year, but with him now in Seattle, the team plans to go into the season without a set leadoff hitter.
“You don’t really change your mindset up there,” Meadows said about hitting leadoff. “I feel good about it. I just go out there, set the tone and be aggressive.”
Young guys have impressed
There’s a lot of optimism inside the organization with what the big league club is capable of accomplishing, but there’s also a lot of excitement with the talent in the Minor Leagues.
Nate Lowe, Jesus Sanchez and Lucius Fox are just three of the players the Rays are excited about, and they’re getting plenty of opportunities to show what they’re capable of. Lowe showed off his power with a 448-foot home run against Boston on Wednesday and has also been solid at first base. The team’s No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline is expected to make his big league debut at some point during the 2019 season.
“It’s always exciting to see them,” Cash said. “It feels like every year we’re getting stronger guys, faster guys, bigger guys that are closer to contributing than the past year.”