Trevor Megill's expression said it all. How does one manage to hit a ball that far outside the zone for a go-ahead double to the right field gap?
The Rays' dugout might have been pondering the same, but they welcomed him with open arms after what was undoubtedly one of the season's biggest hits so far. Despite a stellar spring, few expected his regular season to mirror that success so closely.
Now, let's talk about Nick Fortes. His early-season performance is turning heads in Tampa Bay.
Originally acquired from the Marlins in a midseason trade last year to fill the void left by Danny Jansen, Fortes was seen primarily as a defense-first catcher. But his offensive output this season is telling a different story.
Last year, in 97 games, the Miami native posted a lackluster .229 average with five homers and 21 RBIs. While catchers aren't typically known for their batting prowess, more production is always welcome.
This season, however, the Rays might have struck gold with Fortes behind the plate. His offensive game has taken a significant leap in the first five games of 2026.
The 29-year-old has played in each game so far, boasting an impressive .375 average with a homer and four RBIs. On Opening Day, Fortes was a bright spot, collecting three of the Rays' 17 hits in their tough loss to the Cardinals. Even when backup catcher Hunter Feduccia got the nod in the second game, Fortes seized his opportunity, notching his fourth hit and elevating his average to .667.
Fortes made his presence felt again in the series opener against the Brewers. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, he smashed a go-ahead double that brought Jonny DeLuca home, sealing a crucial 3-2 victory for the Rays.
Beyond his offensive surge, Fortes is holding his own defensively, growing more comfortable with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. He even clinched a pivotal ABS challenge in the second game against Milwaukee. If he maintains this unexpected start, Fortes could very well be on his way to becoming the best Rays' catcher in recent memory.