#11
The Tampa Bay Rays made it all the way to the World Series in 2020 before losing to the Dodgers. Can this roster see the same level of success in a full season in 2021?
#2 - 1st in AL East, lose in World Series
MIH - Austin Meadows
MIP - Blake Snell
PTW - Brendan McKay
2020 Results
#2 - 40-20, 1st in AL East, lost in World Series
I was pretty excited when I realized I successfully predicted the World Series teams and result. The Rays rode their insane bullpen and deep roster built for playing the matchup game all the way to the Fall Classic before losing to the Dodger juggernaut. It really felt like the Rays started to run out of steam at the wrong time. So, they pulled their ace starter while he was dealing. Sorry, pulling Snell in that last game still makes no sense.
Additions / Subtractions
Speaking of Blake Snell, one of the biggest storylines of the offseason was the Rays unloading Blake Snell to the Padres for a haul of prospects. Charlie Morton also signed elsewhere, leaving a couple holes in the rotation. They filled these holes, at least to start the season, with Chris Archer, Rich Hill, and Collin McHugh. As far as the lineup is concerned, outside of letting Hunter Renfroe sign elsewhere, they are entering 2021 with the same lineup they ended 2020 with.
Most Important Hitter
Randy Arozarena
Randy Arozarena is technically still a prospect with rookie status in tact, however I don't know if more is expected from a "rookie" this season than what is expected of him. That's because no one has ever had a run like Arozarena had in the 2020 postseason. Acquired before the 2020 season in a prospect-for-prospect trade, Arozarena shocked everyone with the production he gave this lineup down the stretch. He became the heart of their lineup, and at times in the playoffs, he was the only bat actually producing runs. Now everyone is wondering if he is the player that set postseason records or the player that entered 2020 outside the Rays' top 10 prospects. Not only that, but the Rays need him to be the more productive version to stabilize their lineup and give them consistent middle-of-the-order production. A lot to ask of a guy with only 23 regular season games at the big league level.
Most Important Pitcher
Tyler Glasnow
With the trade of Blake Snell, the Rays' starting rotation has a massive hole at the top of the rotation. The pitcher most likely to fill that hole is Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow has proven so far in his young career that he can be an ace of a staff and dominate any lineup. With a team that relies so heavily on their bullpen like the Rays do, having one starter that can be leaned on to go deep in games is important. Glasnow can be that pitcher in 2021. The Rays must feel some level of vindication boasting a rotation this season with Tyler Glasnow and Chris Archer, two players that were traded for each other a few years ago.
Prospect to Watch
Wander Franco
The Rays not only are the defending American League champions, but they also have the best farm system in all of baseball. Boasting 8 players in the Top 100 Prospects, six of them look like they could make a big league impact this season. Included in that list are Randy Arozarena, Luis Patino (the centerpiece of the Blake Snell trade), and potential two-way player Brendan McKay. These three, along with middle infielder Vidal Brujan and lefty Shane McClanahan, would all carry with them a high level of excitement on their own. However, with the possible exception of Arozarena, they are all overshadowed by the top prospect in all of baseball. Wander Franco has a chance to hit the big leagues this year, and be an instant star at age 20. This switch-hitting shortstop is projected to be the best hitting prospect around, able to hit for average and power. If he gets the opportunity to make his debut in 2021, everyone better be watching.
2021 Prediction
3rd in AL East
This is the last team I have missing the playoffs. The Rays definitely do things differently, constantly building up their farm system so they can keep trading their stars before they get paid for more prospects. It seems to be a system they have perfected. Their lack of reliance on their starting pitchers and total reliance on their killer bullpen is also unique and trend-setting. However, the end of their postseason run in 2020 showed that their bullpen can run out of steam. Also, deep playoff runs means less recovery time for the next season, and even though the season was short, their pitching staff has a chance to struggle with the short turnaround and the full 162 being an option. Add to all this the strength at the top of this division and what they have to compete with, I have the Rays just missing the playoffs. I hope I'm wrong because they are always fascinating to watch at the least.
Fearless Prediction
Randy Arozarena will hit less home runs in 2021 than he did in 2020.
Randy Arozarena's hot start in 2020 led to 8 home runs in 23 regular season games and 10 more home runs in the playoffs, setting records. Now everyone sees him coming. I think Arozarena is due for a sophomore slump in 2021. Look for the power numbers to decline significantly and maybe even warrant a trip down to AAA at some point in the season. Then again, I could be wrong, and he could be a top 10 player in all of baseball.
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