Article:Tampa Bay Rays 2008 Top Ten Prospects

What everyone knows about the Rays is simple, they've historically sucked. In their ten years of existence, they have finished last in the American League East nine times. They have reached 70 wins just once, and have averaged 97 losses per year. In 2008, Tampa will have the distinction of being the only team in history to have the overall number one draft pick two straight seasons. By contrast, their expansion brothers, the Arizona Diamondbacks, have won 70 games eight times, have four postseason appearances and a World Series Championship.

What is less know about the Rays is they have a new ownership group who has taken it upon themselves to become a model franchise. They will soon be playing in a new stadium, in a more accessible and fan friendly enviornment across the bridge in St. Petersburg. They have dropped the "Devil" from the franchise name and will have a totally new look next season with a fresh, revamped uniform style. They've taken high profile players who have run afoul of management, teammates or rules in general and have shipped them out of town. And, most importantly, Baseball America has ranked Tampa's Minor League Organization number one in all of baseball in each of the past two seasons. Three of their four top prospects are pitchers, and if even two of them make an impact, the Rays will become very good, very quickly. Combined with their already formidable group of young position players (the Rays fielded the second youngest overall team in the majors last season), they should soon be able to hang with the likes of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.


 * 1) Evan Longoria, 22, righthanded hitting thirdbaseman, first round, 2006

2007 Southern League MVP, led league in Slugging. Great hands and bat speed. Power is already becoming legendary, with two 450 footers in the Arizona Fall League and a shot at the World Cup in China estimated at over 500 feet. Hitting ability also ranks at 70+ on scout scale. Is an aggressive hitter with plus discipline and strike zone knowledge. Has a long follow through on his swing, which is indicative of staying back well on the ball. A former shortstop, Longoria already rates plus defensively at third with a strong arm, good footwork and lateral movement. Has made just 19 errors in 177 pro games at third. Only true weakness is lack of running speed, but he is a good baserunner which compensates. Could possibly spend a month in Triple A to start the season, although signs do point to him being Tampa's opening day third baseman.


 * 2) David Price, 22, LHP, first round, 2007

Baseball America's 2007 College Player of the Year and winner of the Golden Spikes Award. Long and strong, (6'6", 225), great athleticism and character. Average fastball, can reach 95 if he pushes it. Best slider in system, already at 70 on scout scale with potential to max out at 80. Plus changeup and mechanics, has easy, repeatable delivery and already has the know-how to add or subtract from his pitches if the situation warrants. Has more poise and polish and a higher ceiling than does Scott Kazmir. Only true weakness is experience, he signed too late to play in 2007, and excepting a two week stint in the Instructional League hasn't thrown since the college season ended in June. Feelings are mixed in the Rays organization to where Price should begin the season, some feel it should be Tampa. Based on their handling of their previous top picks, Price will begin the season in Class A and progress through the system with a late season appearance in the Majors a distinct possibility.


 * 3) Jake McGee, 21, LHP, fifth round, 2004

Struck out 175 batters in 140 innings in 2007. Average/plus fastball with good movement, improving slider and change. Extra movement allows him to dominate lefty hitters, holding them to a cumulative .147 average. Working on improving secondary pitches, especially the change. Will report to Double A as a starter, if the change does not improve will likely be moved to the bullpen.


 * 4) Wade Davis, 22, RHP, third round, 2004

Rays organizational Pitcher of the Year in '07. Led all Rays pitchers with a 2.10 ERA and also threw his second career no-hitter. Two plus pitches, fastball and curve, with an average change. Good command, and is not afraid to pitch inside. Learning to throw a cutter, needs continual improvement on it as well as with the change. If he struggles with one of his primary pitches the others are not good enough to keep hitters off balance and he gets hit hard. Planned to start in Double A to work on his pitches, could start in Triple A with a strong spring.


 * 5) Reid Brignac, 21, lefthanded hitting shortstop, second round, 2004

Has an unusually advanced approach to the game for someone so young. Plus character and leadership ability. Improved plate discipline in 2007 combined with the ability to use the whole field and improving power has him now projected as a middle of the order hitter. Has pull potential and handles hard stuff inside well. Good speed and hands with a plus arm. Weakness on offense is a tendency to sometimes lunge at pitches, needs to trust his hands and stay back. Some scouts question his range defensively but showed considerable progress in the Arizona Fall League along with improving footwork. Acquisiton of Jason Bartlett pretty much assures a full season in Triple A in 2008.


 * 6) Desmond Jennings, 21, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, tenth round, 2006.

Turned down full scholarship to play football at Alabama to sign with Tampa. Rays have had a propensity to find outfielders and Jennings is no exception. Named top prospect in South Atlantic League in first pro season. Best tool is speed, rates a 70. Stole 45 bases in 2007. Rated best defensive outfielder in SAL. Being groomed as a leadoff hitter, has good range and arm in CF although needs to improve reads off the bat. Had minor knee surgery in August to remove cartiledge. High Class A in 2008.


 * 7) Jeff Niemann, 24, RHP, first round, 2004

2007 was first healthy season since signing, 131 IP exceeded his career total. Despite his size, (6'9", 280) Niemann is not a hard thrower, in part due to surgeries on his elbow and shoulder. Plus curve, average fastball and working on improving his splitter. Mixes pitches well to compensate. Has trouble with mechanics due to his size, especially in repeating delivery and release point and is a notoriously slow worker. If he has a good spring will be Tampa's fifth starter in 2008.


 * 8) Jeremy Hellickson, 20, RHP, fourth round, 2005

Injured in spring training, Hellickson started the season off slowly but ended it healthy. Not big (6'1", 185)  his biggest struggle is with stamina. Average repetoire, nothing stands out as a plus offering. Needs to improve command and durability and in adding a changeup. In fourth pro season still in Class A, doesn't project well and will repeat High Class A in 2008.


 * 9) Ryan Royster, 21, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, sixth round, 2004

Named Rays minor league player of the year in 2007. Won South Atlantic League Triple Crown with .329/30/98 numbers. Also led league with 65 extra base hits and .601 slugging. Homered in six straight games. Plus power to all fields, good speed. Needs to work on routes to ball, LF is only option due to below average arm. As with Hellickson, despite 2007 success is still in Class A going into fifth pro season, there are projectability concerns.


 * 10) Chris Mason, 23, RHP, second round, 2005

Led Southern League with 15 wins and 2.57 ERA. Works off an unorthodox delivery, not a strikeout pitcher so relies on defense more than others. Plus change with average slider and below average fastball. Rays will have him as a starter in Triple A, but his stuff projects to a reliever at the Major League level.


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by Bill Ballew

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