Rays Metrics
@RaysMetrics
Statistics and thoughts on the Tampa Bay Rays. Not affiliated with the team. Contributor @DRaysBay
The Rays need some help at catcher. I wrote up some thoughts on the matter and hit on a number of different routes they could go in 2025: draysbay.com/2024/10/15/242…
This exact draft framework looks to be shaping up again for the Rays. 5 picks, 5 hitters. I’d expect a ton of college arms today.
For the past four years the Rays have executed a very consistent draft strategy: Heavy on bats early, followed by a long run of (mostly college) pitchers to close out the draft.
Over the last 30 days the Rays have the worst record in MLB at 7-17. (-26 RD) Over the 30 days before that, the Rays had the 2nd best record in MLB at 19-10. (+50 RD) 🤷♂️
Since June 1st Edwin Uceta owns the third highest strikeout rate in all of baseball. 1. Aroldis Chapman 50.9% 2. Bryan Abreu 50.6% 3. Edwin Uceta 44.9% (min. 10 IP)
Since the start of 2022, Stuart Fairchild owns the best Z - O Swing% in baseball. (min. 600 PA). He excels at discerning strikes from balls:
FWIW there are a number of unsung relievers on both sides here with intriguing mixes. Some names who’ve caught my eye: Stewart, Varland, Sands, Coulombe for MIN. Halvorsen, Vodnik, Mejia, Bird for COL.
As MLB trade deadline nears, numerous scout are at Coors Field today for #Twins at #Rockies, including scouts for #Yankees, #Phillies, #Rays and #Mariners.
Two big wins out of the break. Per @fangraphs, Rays playoff odds have jumped 12% since Friday and are now neck & neck with Boston. All other AL teams have sub-25% playoff odds. 10 games until the trade deadline.
This is a very interesting trade, and the return explains why it’s happening now. I cannot confirm this yet, but this may be the first time the Rays have ever traded AWAY a competitive balance pick? Please let me know if it’s ever happened before.
Rays acquiring RHP Bryan Baker from Orioles for TB’s competitive-balance pick in Sunday’s draft, No. 37 overall, sources tell @TheAthletic. First on Baker: @ByRobertMurray.
Bullpen help! Bryan Baker has a legitimate 3-pitch mix and pounds the strike zone. One of the highest K-BB% rates among all relievers this year, and has 3.5 years of team control. This is a significant addition to a struggling pen.
Trade: The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring reliever Bryan Baker from the Baltimore Orioles, according to a source familiar with the deal.
Not sure if/how the Rays will upgrade the position player mix at the deadline, but Cedric Mullins is doing some interesting things this year. Career high in Air Pull% which could play well at GMS. Power output is up, defense & speed still plus. Should be an available rental.
Very small samples here but if you split Ha-Seong Kim’s rehab stint in half you see improvement across the board the more he’s played: First 8 G: .183 wOBA, .264 xwOBA, 20% Whiff Last 9 G: .391 wOBA, .340 xwOBA, 14% Whiff He is likely to be activated in the coming days.
What do you think the Rays biggest trade deadline need is?
The Rays are calling up RHP Paul Gervase. Since he was acquired at last year’s deadline he owns a ridiculous 40.1 K% and 6.4 BB% across 51 innings. He’s 6’10” but throws from a really low release with huge extension. 93-95 FB paired with a CT & SW.
Curtis Mead is hitting .317/.397/.517 (164 wRC+) since May 1st. He is on a short list of players who have both a 73+ mph bat speed & a sub 20% whiff rate this year: Juan Soto Yandy Diaz Vinnie Pasquantino Curtis Mead Drake Baldwin