The Rays head into All-Star Weekend in a strong spot, sitting atop the American League East by four games over the New York Yankees with one three-game series left before the break. That backdrop makes this a good time to take stock of both the roster’s All-Star recognition and what Tampa Bay might do with the No. 2 pick in the MLB Draft in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay landed four All-Stars, and the reaction was a mix of satisfaction and frustration. Michael Brauner said, “It’s nice to have four All-Stars, but there were some insane snubs as well. Nick Martinez in particular not being named is egregious, but perhaps he can use this as motivation for the rest of the season.”
Christian Rauh agreed that the Rays got some deserved attention, but thought the total should have been higher. “I’m happy that the Rays got some respect and exposure since they are the best team in the American League, but they totally missed the ball on some of the names not being called. The number should have been at least six!”
When it came to who was left out, Martinez was the obvious name, but he wasn’t the only one. Brauner pointed to Shane McClanahan and Kevin Kelly as players who should have made the cut, while Rauh added McClanahan and Jonathan Aranda to the list of Rays who deserved more consideration. Rauh also noted that Martinez could still end up in the game as a replacement.
The draft conversation centered on one name in particular: Grady Emerson. Brauner said all signs point to the high school shortstop, calling him “a wonderful fit in the organization and someone who could wind up being a future franchise corner”
Rauh was on the same page, describing Emerson as the best talent in the draft from an athletic standpoint. He also said Tampa Bay’s comfort with younger players and track record of development make Emerson a natural fit. If Emerson goes first overall, Rauh said the Rays would still be happy to land someone closer to the majors, naming UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky as that type of option.
In Other News...
Rays Veteran Finally Got The Recognition Fans Knew He Deserved
Nick Martinez has given the Rays exactly what they hoped for when they brought him in back in February: steady starts, dependable innings and a presence that has mattered as much in the clubhouse as it has on the mound. The numbers have backed it up, too, with Martinez stacking up strong results while helping Tampa Bay win the majority of the games he has started.
Now he gets to carry that momentum into one more outing before the break, with a Friday start against the Mariners set as his final tune-up before the All-Star Game. Around the Rays, the recognition feels overdue for a pitcher teammates and Kevin Cash have leaned on all season, even if the bigger question still lingers after the roster move that put him there. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Rasmussen Suddenly Needs This All-Star Break More Than Ever
Drew Rasmussens first half had already earned him an All-Star nod, and for much of June he looked every bit like one of the American Leagues most dependable starters. The Rays right-hander was coming off a month that brought him the AL Pitcher of the Month Award, a reminder of how quickly he had settled into a key role for Tampa Bays rotation alongside Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Bryan Baker on the clubs All-Star list.
July has been a different story, though, with Rasmussen taking a couple of uncharacteristic hits in his last two starts and seeing his season numbers drift the wrong way. The break now arrives at a useful time for Tampa Bay, because it gives him a chance to reset physically and mentally before the second half puts him back in the middle of the Rays plans. [Read more 🡒]