Rays Arizona Fall League Recap
Saturday the Arizona Fall League came to a close, with seven Rays minor league players participating. While it’s a small sample size, here’s a recap of how each of the players did:
Brandon Lowe — last year’s MVP of the Florida State League didn’t hit for a high average in the AFL (.224), but had a solid .762 OPS. Lowe had three doubles, a triple and two homers, while also drawing nine walks. One would expect Lowe, a second baseman, would return to Montgomery next year, as he finished the 2017 season there. The 23-year-old was drafted out of the University of Maryland in 2015.
Kevin Padlo — the corner infielder missed much of the regular season because of a hamate injury. While he hit .259 (22-for-85) over 22 games with just a .664 OPS in the AFL, Padlo did drive in a team-best 14 runs, and had three doubles and two triples. Padlo was in Charlotte last year, so it will be interesting to see whether he repeats the level due to injury or if the AFL experience allowed him to catch up and start 2018 in Montgomery.
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Brett Sullivan — in limited time Sullivan had the best numbers of any Rays position player prospect. Over 14 games, the catcher hit .313 (15-for-48) with an .833 OPS. As expected, Sullivan excelled in two areas, driving in runs and putting the ball in play. Sullivan struck out just five times in 53 plate appearances, drawing only four walks, while driving in 11 runs. The 17th round pick in 2015 still has room for improvement behind the plate, but continues to excel next to it. Sullivan was converted from third base to catcher shortly after being drafted.
Spencer Jones — the Fall League was a learning experience for Jones, a 6–5 righty who just completed his first full year in the Rays system. Jones, who finished last year with Charlotte in the Florida State League, made nine appearances with Surprise. Jones had an ERA of 8.10, allowing 15 hits and five walks in 12.1 innings while striking out 11. Jones did improve as the season went on. The 2016 draft pick threw scoreless ball in his last four outings, covering 6.2 innings.
Benton Moss — Moss missed part of the season due to a back injury, so he was sent to the AFL to gain additional innings. Moss made five appearances, two as a starter, and was 0–1 with a 3.18 ERA. Moss surrendered 15 hits in 11.1 innings, but just one walk while striking out seven. Moss pitched primarily in Double-A Montgomery in 2017. Including the playoffs and the AFL, Moss, chosen out of UNC in 2015 by the Rays, saw just over 100 innings this year.
Roel Ramirez — Ramirez filled in for Dalton Moats, who was a late scratch from the AFL. Ramirez, who split time between the two Rays A-ball affiliates, struggled in his 9.2 innings in relief. Ramirez surrendered 19 hits and four walks, striking out seven. Ramirez finished with a 10.24 ERA.
Burch Smith — Smith was the one Rays player originally assigned to the AFL who could be chosen in the Rule 5 draft. So before Monday’s deadline, the Rays will have to decide whether to add him to the 40-man roster, or risk losing him. Smith likely made the decision that much tougher. After missing the better part of the last three seasons due to injury, Smith was second in the league in strikeouts. He fanned 29 batters in 20.1 innings, allowing 12 hits and 11 walks. Of the nine runs he gave up, seven came in the first two appearances over 4.1 innings. After that, Smith gave up just five hits over the next 16 frames with a fastball in the upper 90s.
