Rays Make Latest Round of Cuts
The Rays reassigned 11 more players to minor league camp on Saturday, reducing the number of players on the MLB side to 59. Those reassigned included LHP Joe LaSorsa, RHP Trevor Brigden, RHP Andrew Gross, RHP Graham Spraker, OF Kam Misner and Tristan Peters, C Blake Hunt and Logan Driscoll as well as infielders Austin Shenton, Ronny Simon and Kyle Manzardo.
None of the moves were unexpected as all eleven were non-roster players. LaSorsa, Brigden, Gross and Spraker all just returned from the World Baseball Classic. The Rays reduced the number of catchers in camp after Francisco Mejia and Christian Bethancourt came back from the WBC.
Most of the players in this group were in their first MLB camp. Manzardo and Simon were among those to make a strong impression.
“Manzardo, maybe as good of an impression as anybody in camp,” said Rays Manager Kevin Cash. “It’s really cool to see a guy come in that you hear a lot about and not just back it up but do more than back it up. It’s easy to put comps on guys — I won’t do that with him — but he’s talented, and he’s got a knack for getting the barrel to the bat. He’s hit everywhere he’s been. Hopefully he keeps hitting, and we’ll see him.”
Manzardo was the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2022 in his first full year in the Rays system. Cash spoke highly of Simon for his verstaility and athleticism.
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“Exciting young player,” said Cash. “Great energy. We value what he does, like, with his stolen base ability and then also the power — that’s a pretty unique combination. He can hit the ball a long way.”
Here’s an updated Spring Training roster. Those that are non-roster players have a * next to their name:
Pitchers (32): Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong, Shane Baz, Jalen Beeks, Colten Brewer*, Braden Bristo*, Zack Burdi*, Yonny Chirinos, Garrett Cleavinger, Kyle Crick*, Cooper Criswell*, Zach Eflin, Pete Fairbanks, Calvin Faucher, Josh Fleming, Tyler Glasnow, Ben Heller*, Heath Hembree*, Trevor Kelley*, Kevin Kelly, Andrew Kittredge, Shane McClanahan, Michael Mercado*, Chris Muller*, Luis Patino, Hector Perez*, Colin Poche, Drew Rasmussen, Josh Roberson*, Jaime Schultz*, Jeffrey Springs, Ryan Thompson.
Catchers (6): Roberto Alvarez*, Christian Bethancourt, Gavin Collins*, Nick Dini*, Francisco Mejia, Rene Pinto.
Infielders (10): Jonathan Aranda, Vidal Brujan, Charlie Culberson*, Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, Tristan Gray, Brandon Lowe, Isaac Paredes, Daniel Robertson*, Taylor Walls.
Outfielders (11): Randy Arozarena, Ruben Cardenas*, Ben Gamel*, Niko Hulsizer*, Josh Lowe, Manuel Margot, Jordan Qsar*, Luke Raley, Harold Ramirez, Josi Siri, Grant Witherspoon*.
Of the 59 players in big league camp, four are currently involved in the World Baseball Classic (Adam, Aranda, Arozarena, and Paredes), while four others (Armstrong, Baz, Glasnow and Kittredge) are to start the year on the IL.
