In case you missed it

Tommy Rancel has an interesting interview with Will Carroll over at Outs Per Swing. Favorite quote:

WC: Camel? Haven’t heard that one. He’s definitely up there, but Kazmir’s stuff is just filthy even when he’s off. I’d rank them Kazmir, Garza, Price, Hellickson, Davis on stuff … but Shields is clearly their best pitcher because he knows what to do on the mound to win with what he has. Consistency can trump stuff.

High praise for Hellickson. At the beginning of the year Keith Law, who's opinion I respect, said in his Top 100 prospects article that Hellickson's fastball was his only plus pitch. He said that unless he developed his secondary pitches considerably, his ceiling was a 4th or 5th starter.

August 10 Pitching Highlight: Tyree Hayes

Hudson Valley's RHSP Tyree Hayes, our 8th round pick in 2006, pitched a 4-hit complete game shutout in a 4-0 win over Lowell:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Hayes	9.0	4	0	0	0	6

Hayes YTD totals:

Pitcher	Age	G	GS	IP	ERA	FIP	DIPS	SO/9	BB/9	H/9	HR/9
Hayes	20.0	11	8	50.0	3.06	4.18	4.23	5.0	3.8	8.3	0.5

Hayes pitched at Princeton in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 he pitched well, putting up an ERA/FIP of 2.48/3.92. Last year was a disappointment with an ERA/FIP of 4.91/4.68. Hayes has gotten better each month in 2008. His ERA's for June/July/August are 6.35/3.04/0.60.

This was his 2nd career shutout and tied his career high for strikeouts. Hayes turned 20 two days ago on the 8th and is the son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes.

August 9 Pitching Report

Columbus' RHRP Justin Garcia was dominant again:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Garcia	3.0	2	0	0	0	5

Princeton's LHSP Matt Moore was excellent again:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Moore	4.0	2	1	0	1	5

Hudson Valley's RHRP Marquis Fleming, our 24th round pick in 2008, is getting on track:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Fleming	3.2	0	0	0	1	5

And Durham's RHSP Wade Davis had another solid outing:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Davis	7.0	7	2	1	2	4

YTD totals on the four:

Pitcher	Age	G	GS	IP	ERA	FIP	DIPS	SO/9	BB/9	H/9	HR/9
Garcia	21.6	33	0	64.0	2.25	2.59	2.67	9.7	2.7	5.2	0.4
Moore	19.1	9	9	39.1	2.29	1.55	1.57	13.3	3.2	5.7	0.0
Fleming	21.8	10	0	19.0	3.79	5.09	4.73	8.5	4.3	9.9	1.4
Davis	22.9	24	24	138.2	3.50	4.22	4.04	7.0	3.6	8.3	0.8

Moves

With David Price moving up to Durham, Heath Rollins has been promoted from Vero Beach to Montgomery to fill Price's spot in the rotation. Both are scheduled to start on Wednesday.

Note: Wednesday would normally have been Mitch Talbot's turn in Durham's rotation. Could signal another move or just that Talbot will move back a day.

Catching up: August 8 Pitching Report

Columbus' RHSP Jeremy Hall had a good start:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Hall	6.0	5	1	0	3	6

Princeton's RHSP Joseph Cruz was excellent again:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Cruz	4.2	6	0	0	0	6

Montgomery's RHSP Jeremy Hellickson good again in AA:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Hellickson	7.0	8	1	1	2	6

And Durham's RHSP Jeff Niemann had another good start:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Niemann	6.0	4	2	1	2	8

YTD totals on the four:

Pitcher	Age	G	GS	IP	ERA	FIP	DIPS	SO/9	BB/9	H/9	HR/9
Hall	24.8	17	15	83.2	4.30	3.39	3.41	7.2	2.3	8.8	0.6
Cruz	20.0	10	10	42.2	3.16	3.11	3.16	10.1	1.7	10.1	1.1
Hellickson	21.3	23	23	129.0	2.79	3.54	3.51	9.1	1.0	8.5	1.3
Niemann	25.4	20	20	105.2	3.58	4.09	4.14	8.4	3.4	7.3	1.1

David Price promoted to Durham

Lancaster has the story:

SEATTLE—David Price was told after Montgomery’s game tonight that he has been promoted to Durham.

Last year’s top draft pick will make his Triple-A debut for the Bulls on Wednesday against Norfolk.

He went 7-0 with a 1.89 ERA in nine starts for the Biscuits after going 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA in six starts for Vero Beach to open his first professional season.

Price likely will be called up to the majors at some point this season, with the only question being whether the Rays will use him as a starter or in relief, a la Joba Chamberlain. But he’ll at least have a chance to sample three levels of the minors before getting to that point...and maybe even lose a game someday. You never know…

BA Prospect Hot Sheet

No. 2 DAVID PRICE, LHP RAYS
Team: Double-A Montgomery (Southern)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: 2-0, 0.75, 12 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 4 BB, 17 SO

The Scoop:
The best pitching prospect in the minor leagues, Price dominated this week by striking out 17 of the 46 batters he faced (37 percent). In his 15 starts this season between Montgomery and high Class A Vero Beach, Price has yet to allow more than three runs in one game. No pitcher in the minor leagues can match Price's combination of stuff, polish and athleticism, and there are few big league pitchers who can match Price just on the quality of his pitches. Price's start yesterday of five shutout innings lowered his Double-A ERA to 1.89 in 57 innings, and it's only a matter of time before the big lefty is showing big league hitters what he's capable of in Tampa Bay.

We know it, but sometimes it's just nice to hear.

Minor league season is almost over

If you're wondering whether a prospect will get promoted yet this year, time is running out. Final scheduled regular season games for our minor league affiliates:

Durham (AAA) = September 1
Montgomery (AA) = September 1
Vero Beach (A+) = August 31
Columbus (A) = September 1
Hudson Valley (A-) = September 6
Princeton (R) = August 26
DSL Rays (R) = August 23
VSL Rays (R) = August 2 (did not make the playoffs)

Brignac breaks wrist; Merrill, Walton moved up

Reid Brignac was hit by a pitch and removed from the game back on August 6th, and eventually diagnosed with a broken wrist, possibly ending his season. The result? Montgomery SS Ronnie Merrill was promoted to Durham, and Vero Beach infielder Neil Walton was tapped to take Merrill's spot with the Biscuits.

Merill was hitting .263/.361/.374 for Montgomery, while Walton posted a line of .224/.285/.305 with the Vero Beach Devil Rays. Neither is really a prospect at this point, but with the Bulls almost assured a playoff spot(they lead Norfolk by 9.5 games) and the Biscuits fighting for one(they trail Mississippi by 1.5 games), one or both could help bring the Rays organization another minor league championship.

VSL season in review: Pitching

The VSL Rays season ended August 2nd. Their final record: 29-36-5. Here is a look at the final pitching stats sorted by IP:

Pitcher	Age	G	GS	IP	ERA	FIP	DIPS	SO/9	BB/9	H/9	HR/9
Bencomo, Omar	19.4	15	8	60.2	4.45	2.74	2.61	8.2	0.4	10.1	0.6
Yendis, Luis	19.0	16	12	54.1	2.65	4.14	3.80	6.8	3.1	7.8	0.7
Duenas, Carlos	20.6	21	5	49.1	4.93	3.65	3.48	6.2	4.6	9.5	0.0
Guedez, Raul	23.8	28	0	49.0	3.86	3.61	2.93	7.7	2.2	9.0	0.4
Mavares, Deivis	21.8	27	0	48.2	1.48	2.44	1.90	11.5	3.1	5.5	0.0
Quinonez, Eduar	18.9	13	6	45.0	3.80	4.42	4.16	6.6	3.6	8.8	0.8
Lopez, Kevin	19.8	21	0	44.1	3.65	4.76	4.55	6.1	5.1	6.5	0.6
Linares, Joice	18.3	14	6	36.2	3.68	3.91	3.69	5.9	2.9	9.8	0.5
Cabrera, Orlando	18.8	21	0	34.2	4.41	5.16	4.88	5.5	6.5	10.4	0.5
Andrade, Francisco	17.9	16	0	28.2	7.85	4.49	4.31	7.2	5.7	13.5	0.6
Duarte, Hugo	18.6	14	2	27.2	6.18	4.57	3.90	8.1	5.9	8.8	0.3
Rodriguez Wilking	18.4	10	8	26.2	3.71	3.16	3.27	9.8	2.0	8.8	1.0
Crespo, Ali	18.5	12	2	25.1	4.97	4.78	4.11	2.1	2.1	8.2	0.4
Espana, Luis	19.3	13	2	20.1	4.87	5.61	5.25	3.5	4.9	11.5	0.9
Sanchez, Daniel	19.2	14	6	19.2	5.49	7.73	7.54	3.7	15.1	7.3	0.0
Marquez, Juan	17.4	9	8	15.2	9.77	8.69	6.83	5.7	12.1	7.5	0.6
Mujica, Juan	18.3	12	2	12.0	7.50	8.12	7.84	6.0	8.3	9.0	2.3
Lopez, Reinaldo	17.3	6	3	11.1	3.97	5.58	5.46	2.4	7.9	7.9	0.0

Top 3 prospects are Bencomo, Yendis, and Rodriguez. After that it's pretty much pick 'em. I really want to see Bencomo (and Julio Cedeno) in Hudson Valley next summer.

Looking back at Baseball America's Top Tampa Bay Prospects

2008 Top 30+1 prospects according to Baseball America:

1. Evan Longoria, 3b
2. David Price, lhp
3. Jake McGee, lhp
4. Wade Davis, rhp
5. Reid Brignac, ss
6. Desmond Jennings, of
7. Jeff Niemann, rhp
8. Jeremy Hellickson, rhp
9. Ryan Royster, of
10. Chris Mason, rhp
11. Glenn Gibson, lhp
12. Juan Salas, rhp
13. John Jaso, c
14. Alex Cobb, rhp
15. Eduardo Morlan, rhp
16. Josh Butler, rhp
17. Nick Barnese, rhp
18. James Houser, lhp
19. Heath Rollins, rhp
20. Matt Walker, rhp
21. Mitch Talbot, rhp
22. Mike McCormick, c
23. Will Kline, rhp
24. Wade Townsend, rhp
25. Fernando Perez, of
26. Nevin Ashley, c
27. Justin Ruggiano, of
28. Rhyne Hughes, 1b
29. Joel Guzman, 1b
30. D.J. Jones, of
31. David Newmann, lhp

=============
Not counting injuries, Royster, Mason and Gibson were way high. Butler and Walker also too high. Mitch Talbot too low.

So who did a better job, BA or Sickels?

Looking back at John Sickels' Top Tampa Bay Prospects

2008 Top 20+ prospects according to John Sickels:

1. Evan Longoria, 3B, Grade A
2. David Price, LHP, Grade A
3. Jacob McGee, LHP, Grade A
4. Wade Davis, RHP, Grade B+
5. Reid Brignac, SS, Grade B+
6. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Grade B+
7. Desmond Jennings, OF, Grade B+
8. Jeff Niemann, RHP, Grade B
9. Eduardo Morlan, RHP, Grade B
10. John Jaso, C, Grade B
11. Ryan Royster, OF, Grade B-
12. Chris Mason, RHP, Grade B-
13. Nick Barnese, RHP, Grade B-
14. Mitch Talbot, RHP, Grade C+
15. Heath Rollins, RHP, Grade C+
16. Glenn Gibson, LHP, Grade C+
17. Fernando Perez, OF, Grade C+
18. James Houser, LHP, Grade C+
19. Justin Ruggiano, OF, Grade C+
20. Sergio Pedroza, OF, Grade C+

Other prospects include Nevin Ashley, Josh Butler, Alex Cobb, Joseph Cruz, Reid Fronk, Joel Guzman, Rhyne Hughes, K.D. Kang, OF, Will Kline, Mike McCormick, Calvin Medlock, Matt Moore, David Newmann, Emeel Salem, Matthew Walker, and Mike Wlodarczyk.

=============
Not a bad list as it turns out. Not counting players who got injured, Royster, Mason and Gibson were too high, and Cobb, Cruz and Moore too low.

7 days, 12 hours left to sign draft picks

Our unsigned picks:

2 Kyle Lobstein LHP Coconino HS, Flagstaff, Ariz. Ariz.
15 Brandon Meredith 1B Montgomery HS, San Diego Calif.
21 Ryan Carpenter LHP Cactus HS, Peoria, Ariz. Ariz.
29 Brandon Magee OF Centennial HS, Corona, Calif. Calif.
30 Ryan Turner 2B Midland (Texas) JC Texas
31 Greg Williams LHP Moeller HS, Cincinnati Ohio
32 Kyle Gaedele OF Rolling Meadows (Ill.) HS Ill.
33 Kyle Hunter LHP Galesburg (Ill.) HS Ill.
36 Jordan Leyland 1B Sam Dimas (Calif.) HS Calif.
37 Kramer Champlin RHP Olympia (Wash.) HS Wash.
38 Anthony Haase RHP Rio Rancho (N.M.) HS N.M.
39 Andrew Gans OF Coronado HS, Henderson, Nev. Nev.
40 Sam Gaviglio RHP Ashland (Ore.) HS Ore.
41 Brett Parsons OF Navarro (Texas) JC Texas
42 Tim Clubb RHP Missouri State Mo.
43 Robbie Ross LHP Saddleback (Calif.) CC Calif.
44 Philip Pohl C Cooperstown (N.Y.) Central HS N.Y.
45 Royce Bolinger OF Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. Ariz.
46 Jeff Lease LHP American River (Calif.) JC Calif.
47 Chris Matulis LHP Park Vista HS, Lake Worth, Fla. Fla.
48 Lath Guyer RHP Mercer Ga.
49 Kash Kalkowski RHP Grand Island (Neb.) HS Neb.
50 Kyle Peterson C Hamilton HS, Chandler, Ariz. Ariz.

Will Lobstein sign?

August 7 - Top Pitching Performances

The DSL Ray's RHSP Jose Monegro had another good start:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Monegro	4.0	5	1	0	0	1

Hudson Valley's LHRP Glenn Gibson looked good in relief:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Gibson	3.0	2	0	0	1	5

Our top pitching prospect, Montgomery's LHSP David Price, improved to 11-0 on the season:

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Price	5.0	3	0	0	4	7

And Durham's RHSP Mitch Talbot had another good start (11 ground ball outs, 5 air):

Pitcher	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Talbot	6.0	6	1	0	1	8

YTD totals on the four:

Pitcher	Age	G	GS	IP	ERA	FIP	DIPS	SO/9	BB/9	H/9	HR/9
Monegro	18.3	10	10	43.0	2.93	2.92	2.96	4.4	1.7	8.0	0.0
Gibson	20.8	26	12	86.2	6.96	5.42	5.24	5.9	5.0	11.3	1.2
Price	22.9	15	15	91.2	1.87	3.04	3.06	9.0	2.3	6.9	0.7
Talbot	24.8	24	24	137.1	4.00	3.10	3.04	7.7	1.6	9.2	0.6

Ripken group buys Vero Beach, Rays minority partner

Per the Vero Beach Press Journal:

It’s official: the Los Angeles Dodgers have sold the Vero Beach franchise of the Florida State League to the Ripken Baseball Group.

The Tampa Bay Rays will be a minority partner, and the team, currently known as the Vero Beach Devil Rays, likely will relocate to Port Charlotte, where the Rays are opening a new spring training facility in 2009.

Glad it's official. I never liked the idea of the Dodgers making decisions for our affiliate.

RaysProspects Links

Rays Organization:
Tampa Bay Rays - MLB site
Durham Bulls - MiLB site
Durham Bulls - Team site
Montgomery Biscuits - MiLB site
Montgomery Biscuits - Team site
Charlotte Stone Crabs - MiLB site
Charlotte Stone Crabs - Team site
Bowling Green Hot Rods - MiLB site
Bowling Green Hot Rods - Team site
Hudson Valley Renegades - MiLB site
Hudson Valley Renegades - Team site
Princeton Rays - MiLB site
Gulf Coast League Rays - MiLB site
VSL Rays - MiLB site
DSL Rays - MiLB site

About the Rays:
DRaysBay
Rays Index
RaysBB
RaysDigest
Tyler's Articles
RaysProspects
SPT The Heater
TBO Rays Report
The Rays Party of America

Newspapers:
St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Tribune
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Durham Herald-Sun
Montgomery Advertiser
Charlotte Sun
Bowling Green Daily News
Poughkeepsie Journal
Times Herald-Record
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Coverage of the Minor Leagues:
Baseball America
John Sickels
Minor League Baseball - Official site
Stacy Long's Blog
Project Prospect
Indians Prospect Insider
RaysProspects
BrewerFan.Net - Milwaukee Brewers
FutureRedbirds.net - St. Louis Cardinals
MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com - NY Mets
Nationals Farm Authority - Washington Nationals
Phuture Phillies - Philadelphia Phillies
SoxProspects.com - Boston Red Sox

Statistics:
Baseball-Reference
First Inning
StatCorner
Baseball Prospectus
College Baseball Splits
Minor League Splits
FanGraphs
Brooks Baseball

Business of Baseball:
The Biz of Baseball
Cot's Contracts

General Baseball:
Baseball Think Factory
The Hardball Times
The Book
Baseball Analysts

Leagues:
Major League Baseball
International League
Southern League
Florida State League
South Atlantic League
New York-Penn League
Appalachian League
Gulf Coast League
Venezuelan Summer League
Dominican Summer League

AFL Peoria Javelinas schedule

October
7 vs. Surprise 12:35 PM
8 @ Surprise 12:35 PM
9 vs. Phoenix 7:05 PM
10 @ Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
11 vs. Peo Saguaros 7:05 PM
13 @ Phoenix 12:35 PM
14 vs. Phoenix 12:35 PM
15 @ Mesa 12:35 PM
16 vs. Mesa 12:35 PM
17 @ Scottsdale 7:05 PM
18 vs. Scottsdale 12:35 PM
20 @ Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
21 vs. Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
22 @ Phoenix 12:35 PM
23 vs. Phoenix 12:35 PM
25 vs. Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
27 vs. Scottsdale 12:35 PM
28 @ Scottsdale 7:05 PM
29 vs. Phoenix 12:35 PM
30 @ Phoenix 12:35 PM
31 @ Mesa 12:35 PM

November
1 vs. Mesa 7:05 PM
3 vs. Surprise 7:05 PM
4 @ Scottsdale 7:05 PM
5 vs. Surprise 12:35 PM
6 @ Surprise 12:35 PM
7 @ Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
8 @ Surprise 12:35 PM
10 @ Mesa 12:35 PM
11 vs. Mesa 12:35 PM
12 @ Peo Saguaros 12:35 PM
13 vs. Peo Saguaros 7:05 PM
14 vs. Surprise 12:35 PM
15 @ Surprise 12:35 PM
17 @ Mesa 12:35 PM
18 vs. Mesa 12:35 PM
19 @ Scottsdale 7:05 PM
20 vs. Phoenix 12:35 PM

Tampa Bay Rays 1996 Draft Picks

Round Drafted/Overall Pick, Name, Position When Drafted, School Drafted From

Tampa Bay Rays 1996 Draft Picks:
1/29 Paul Wilder, OF, Cary HS (Cary, NC)
2/64 Doug Johnson, 1B, Buchholz HS (Gainesville, FL)
3/94 Ed Koffer, RHP, Tarpon Springs HS (Tarpon Springs, FL)
4/124 Cedrick Bowers, LHP, Chiefland HS (Chiefland, FL)
5/154 Alex Sanchez, OF, Miami-Dade Wolfson CC (FL)
6/184 Elliot Brown, RHP, Auburn University (AL)
7/214 Mickey Callaway, RHP, University of Mississippi (MS)
8/244 Matt Quatraro, C, Old Dominion University (VA)
9/274 Denis Pujais, RHP, University of Miami (FL)
10/304 Chie Gunner, OF, Grand View HS (Grand View, MO)
11/334 Robert Cafaro, RHP, Southern Connecticut State University (CT)
12/364 Scott Madison, LHP, Rutgers University (NJ)
13/394 Shawn Stutz, RHP, Florida International University (FL)
14/424 Delvin James, RHP, Nacogdoches HS (Nacogdoches, TX)
15/454 John Kaufman, LHP, University of Florida (FL)
16/484 Jared Sandberg, 3B, Capital HS (Olympia, WA)
17/514 Michael DeCelle, OF, University of Miami (FL)
18/544 Brad Weber, LHP, Indiana University (IN)
19/574 Ryan Ledden, RHP, Parkview HS (Lilburn, GA)
20/604 Jamie Ebling, 2B, Florida Southern College (FL)
21/634 Trey Salinas, C, University of Texas (TX)
22/664 Luke Owens-Bragg, 2B, University of California, Riverside (CA)
23/694 Russ Jacobson, C, Horizon HS (Scottsdale, AZ)
24/724 Matt Kastelic, OF, Texas Tech University (TX)
25/754 James Manias, LHP, Fairfield University (CT)
26/784 Jeff Jankowlak, RHP, Wayzata HS (Plymouth, MN)
27/814 Kyle Snyder, RHP, Riverview HS (Sarasota, FL)
28/844 Donny Barker, RHP, University of Texas (TX)
29/874 R.J. Howerton, RHP, Southeastern Oklahoma State University (OK)
30/904 Kyle Whitley, RHP, Southeastern Oklahoma State University (OK)
31/934 Mark Hale, RHP, Carefree (Carefree, AZ)
32/964 Michael Brown, RHP, Walters State CC (TN)
33/994 Aaron Bouie, RHP, Albion Central HS (Albion, NY)
34/1024 Dan Wheeler, RHP, Central Arizona College (AZ)
35/1054 Brian Packin, 1B, Randolph HS (Mendham, NJ)
36/1084 Kevin Kay, C, Forest Park HS (Rex, GA)
37/1114 Derek Mann, SS, Columbus HS (Columbus, GA)
38/1144 Walter Ward, OF, Edison College (FL)
39/1174 Ryan Mottl, RHP, McCluer North HS (Florissant, MO)
40/1204 Jared Verrall, 1B, Eastern Oregon State College (OR)
41/1233 Lawrence Severence, C, John A. Logan College (IL)
42/1261 Dayle Campbell, OF, Lynwood HS (Lynwood, CA)
43/1288 Jason Smith, RHP, Palm Beach Lakes HS (West Palm Beach, FL)
44/1314 Jason Michaels, OF, Okaloosa-Walton CC (FL)
45/1339 Michael Kimbrell, LHP, Southeastern Louisiana University (LA)
46/1364 Robert Henker, RHP, Monte Vista HS (Spring Valley, CA)
47/1388 Jeremy Robinson, LHP, St.Amant HS (St.Amant, LA)
48/1411 Michael Barraza, LHP, Gladstone HS (Covina, CA)
49/1434 Edward Lubbers, LHP, Forest Hill HS (West Palm Beach, FL)
50/1457 Bret Stewart, LHP, Leesburg HS (Fruitland Park, FL)
51/1478 Jason Briggs, RHP, Smithville HS (Smithville, TX)
52/1497 Chris Lagrone, OF, Seward County CC (KS)
53/1514 Scott Leon, RHP, University of Texas (TX)
54/1530 L.J. Yankosky, RHP, Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
55/1546 Ron Merrill, SS, Jesuit HS (Tampa, FL)
56/1561 Joel de los Santos, 2B, Burncoat HS (Worcester, MA)
57/1572 Adrian Yother, RHP, Middle Georgia College (GA)
58/1582 Clint Kinsey, RHP, Fairland HS (Fairland, OK)
59/1591 Nathan Hilton, RHP, Boone HS (Boone, IA)
60/1600 John Hensley, RHP, Fountain Central HS (Kingman, IN)
61/1607 Nathan Ruhl, RHP, Johnson County CC (KS)
62/1614 Mike King, OF, Duke University (NC)
63/1621 Tim Hill, RHP, Saint Leo College (FL)
64/1626 Tony McCladdie, 2B, Middle Georgia College (GA)
65/1631 Don Kivinemi, RHP, Bellevue College (NE)
66/1636 Chris Anderson, C, Southeastern Oklahoma State University (OK)
67/1641 Matt Hoffman, RHP, Seminole JC (FL)
68/1646 Spencer Young, RHP, Mingus Union HS (Mingus Union, AZ)
69/1651 Roger Carter, RHP, Fort Gibson HS (Fort Gibson, OK)
70/1656 Juan Cruz, 3B, Jefferson HS (Lafayette, IN)
71/1661 Jason Kirk, OF, Altus HS (Altus, OK)
72/1666 Brad Smith, 1B, Edmond HS (Edmond, OK)
73/1671 Nicholas Rhodes, C, Danbury HS (Danbury, CT)
74/1676 Chad Pyle, SS, Christian County HS (Hopkinsville, KY)
75/1681 Michael O'Brien, 1B, Old Bridge HS (Old Bridge, NJ)
76/1685 Zachary Roper, 3B, Tarpon Springs HS (Tarpon Springs, FL)
77/1689 Keith Brice, RHP, Westminster College (CA)
78/1693 Rashard Casey, OF, Hoboken HS (Hoboken, NJ)
79/1697 Emory Brock, OF, Parkway West HS (Chesterfield, MO)
80/1700 Adrian Espino, 1B, Laredo JC (TX)
81/1703 David DeMarco, 1B, Marple-Newtown HS (Newtown Square, PA)
82/1706 Victor Sauceda, 2B, Laredo JC (TX)
83/1709 Layne Meyer, RHP, Parkway West HS (Ballwin, MO)
84/1711 Scott Diorio, RHP, Seward County CC (KS)
85/1713 Justin Clements, SS, Manatee CC (FL)
86/1715 Scott Neuberger, OF, Tallahassee CC (FL)
87/1717 David Taylor, RHP, Crossroads HS (Pacific Palisades, CA)
88/1719 Shannon Lovan, RHP, Christian County HS (Crofton, KY)
89/1721 Travis Phelps, RHP, Crowder College (MO)
90/1723 Jack Koch, RHP, Miami-Dade College (FL)
91/1725 David Hoffman, LHP, Danville HS (Danville, IL)
92/1727 Brian Newton, LHP, Juanita HS (Kirkland, WA)
93/1729 Willie Marin, RHP, Coral Gables HS (Coral Gables, FL)
94/1731 Blair Barbier, RHP, Brother Martin HS (Harvey, LA)
95/1733 Ryan Gripp, SS, Indianola HS (Indianola, IA)
96/1735 Jerrod Harris, C, Labelle HS (Labelle, FL)
97/1737 Michael Rose, OF, Alter HS (Dayton, OH)

Tampa Bay Rays 1997 Draft Picks

Round Drafted/Overall Pick, Name, Position When Drafted, School Drafted From

Tampa Bay Rays 1997 Draft Picks:
1/31 Jason Standridge, RHP, Hewitt HS (Trussville, AL)
2/82 Kenny Kelly, OF, Tampa Catholic HS (Tampa, FL)
3/114 Barrett Wright, RHP, Myers Park HS (Charlotte, NC)
4/144 Todd Belitz, LHP, Washington State University (WA)
5/174 Marquis Roberts, LHP, McLane HS (Fresno, CA)
6/204 Doug Mansfield, OF, Jacksonville HS (Sherwood, AR)
7/234 Eddy Reyes, RHP, University of Miami (FL)
8/264 Jack Joffrion, SS, Lamar University (TX)
9/294 Toby Hall, C, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
10/324 Carl Hutchens, RHP, Anderson HS (Austin, TX)
11/354 Chris Wright, RHP, Cowley County CC (KS)
12/384 Carlos Vazquez, C, Caribbean HS (Ponce, PR)
13/414 Kevin Price, RHP, Bingham HS (South Jordan, UT)
14/444 Casey Davis, LHP, Boyd County HS (Ashland, KY)
15/474 Jason Guerrero, SS, Pittsburg HS (Pittsburg, CA)
16/504 Lazaro Gutierrez, LHP, University of Miami (FL)
17/534 Chris Bootcheck, RHP, LaPorte HS (LaPorte, IN)
18/564 Terry McCormick, LHP, Jesuit HS (Tampa, FL)
19/594 Lavar Johnson, OF, North Shore HS (Houston, TX)
20/624 Matt Kaffel, RHP, Blinn College (TX)
21/654 Damian Scioneaux, OF, Mississippi State University (MS)
22/684 Dustin Carr, 2B, University of Houston (TX)
23/714 Paul Hoover, SS, Kent State University (OH)
24/744 Travis Miller, OF, Dallas Baptist University (TX)
25/774 Josh Davis, RHP, Tallahassee CC (FL)
26/804 Coty Cooper, RHP, Seward County CC (KS)
27/834 Anthony Pigott, OF, Elon University (NC)
28/864 Jason Jimenez, LHP, San Jose State University (CA)
29/894 Ryan Jorgensen, C, Kingwood HS (Kingwood, TX)
30/924 Jon Cummins, RHP, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (PA)
31/954 Michael Meseberg, OF, Royal HS (Othello, WA)
32/984 Jeremy Murch, LHP, Sarasota HS (Sarasota, FL)
33/1014 Daniel Firlit, SS, Rend Lake JC (IL)
34/1044 Kris Ehmke, RHP, Thomas Stewart HS (Peterborough, ON)
35/1074 Ben Peterson, RHP, East Lake HS (Tarpon Springs, FL)
36/1104 Chris Mason, RHP, University of Alabama, Birmingham (AL)
37/1134 Heath McKoin, LHP, Watson Chapel HS (Pine Bluff, AR)
38/1164 Ryan Pandolfini, 1B, Rider University (NJ)
39/1194 Jim Munroe, RHP, Servite HS (Anaheim, CA)
40/1224 David Cash, RHP, David HS (Modesto, CA)
41/1251 John Hutchens, RHP, Fort Gibson HS (Fort Gibson, OK)
42/1276 Lee Southard, RHP, Westmoore HS (Oklahoma City, OK)
43/1299 Nicholas Rhodes, C, Norwalk CC (CT)
44/1321 Alan Lowden, LHP, Hays HS (Kyle, TX)
45/1342 Adam Luczycky, RHP, Labette CC (KS)
46/1361 Marlyn Tisdale, RHP, Florida JC (FL)
47/1379 Fred Mitchell, OF, Kathleen HS (Lakeland, FL)
48/1396 Josh Long, 3B, Northview HS (McDavid, FL)
49/1413 Jason Balkcom, RHP, Young Harris College (GA)
50/1428 Chris Reynolds, RHP, North Lake CC (TX)
51/1442 Ivar Wentzel, LHP, Flagler Palm Coast HS (Palm Coast, FL)
52/1456 Kyle Evans, RHP, Eldorado HS (Albuquerque, NM)
53/1469 Dustin McKey, OF, John Carroll HS (Alabaster, AL)
54/1480 Alan Keller, C, Mendocino JC
55/1491 Tyler Tiesing, C, Butler County College (KS)
56/1502 Nick Lyon, OF, Monroe HS (Monroe, WA)
57/1513 Jeremy Robinson, LHP, Okaloosa-Walton CC (FL)
58/1524 David Berry, C, Pearce HS (Richardson, TX)
59/1533 Cedric Razor, 2B, Pitt CC
60/1541 Richard McCabe, RHP, Camden HS (St. Mary's, GA)
61/1546 Ron Brooks, RHP, Tallahassee CC (FL)
62/1551 Tavaris Keyes, RHP, Central HS (Fort Pierce, FL)
63/1556 Steve Gause, RHP, George Jenkins HS (Lakeland, FL)
64/1561 Chris Wood, SS, Vanguard HS (Ocala, FL)
65/1566 Zachary Roper, 3B, Pasco-Hernando CC
66/1571 Ray Nevels, OF, Sarasota HS (Sarasota, FL)
67/1576 Rafael Erazo, RHP, Labette CC (KS)
68/1580 Dusty Hall, SS, Lincoln HS (Gahanna, OH)
69/1583 Heath Bell, RHP, Rancho Santiago College (CA)
70/1585 Ken Baugh, RHP, Lamar HS (Houston, TX)
71/1586 Carlos Perez, 1B, Roosevelt HS (Brooklyn, NY)
72/1587 Julio Fortuna, RHP, Bushwick HS (Brooklyn, NY)
73/1588 John Gillespie, RHP, Lake Washington HS (Kirkland, WA)
74/1589 Jarrod Reineke, RHP, Grove HS (Joplin, MO)
75/1590 Brian Brown, SS, Olney Central College (IL)
76/1591 Brandon Brewer, RHP, Greely HS (Yarmouth, ME)
77/1592 Jeff Dragg, OF, Covington HS (Madisonville, LA)
78/1593 Rob Meyers, RHP, De LaSalle HS (Pittsburg, CA)
79/1594 Jon Smith, LHP, Ferris HS (Nuevo, CA)
80/1595 Clint Kinsey, RHP, Allen County CC (KS)
81/1596 Jon Williams, C, Fox HS (Imperial, MO)
82/1597 Zach Leske, SS, Sacramento CC (CA)
83/1598 Blake Williams, RHP, San Marcos HS (San Marcos, TX)
84/1599 Mark Madsen, RHP, Quartz Hill HS (Quartz Hill, CA)
85/1600 Chad Ashlock, RHP, Seward County CC (KS)
86/1601 Bryan Edwards, RHP, Bowie HS (Austin, TX)
87/1602 Jon Benick, C, Greater Nanticoke HS (Glen Lyon, PA)
88/1603 Bart Carter, 1B, William Carey College (MS)
89/1604 Robby Hammock, C, Georgia Perimeter College (GA)
90/1605 William Harris, 2B, Middle Georgia College (GA)
91/1606 Beau Barcus, 3B, San Lorenzo HS (Ben Lemond, CA)
92/1607 Andy Baxter, SS, Unicoi County HS (Erwin, TN)

Tampa Bay Rays 1998 Draft Picks

Round Drafted/Overall Pick, Name, Position When Drafted, School Drafted From

Tampa Bay Rays 1998 Draft Picks:
1/29 Pick to Giants as compensation for free agent Roberto Hernandez
2/72 Pick to Giants as compensation for free agent Wilson Alvarez
3/102 Pick to White Sox as compensation for Free Agent Dave Martinez
4/132 Josh Pressley, 1B, Westminster Academy HS (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
5/162 Aubrey Huff, 3B, University of Miami (FL)
6/192 Ryan Rupe, RHP, Texas A&M University (TX)
7/222 John Jacobs, 3B, Marin Catholic HS (San Rafael, CA)
8/252 Joe Kennedy, LHP, Grossmont College (CA)
9/282 Brian Martin, C, Central Union HS (El Centro, CA)
10/312 Ben Keiter, RHP, Arvada West HS (Arvada, CO)
11/342 Steven Goodson, OF, Cowley County HS (Harrah, OK)
12/372 Adam Flohr, LHP, Portland State University (OR)
13/402 Patrick Dickson, LHP, Dalton HS (Dalton, GA)
14/432 Patrick Hertzel, RHP, Kansas State University (KS)
15/462 Charles Armstrong, LHP, Contra Costa HS (Oakland, CA)
16/492 Neal Frendling, RHP, Lake Central HS (Dyer, IN)
17/522 Mike Rodriguez, OF, Cooper City HS (Cooper City, FL)
18/552 Brandon Backe, SS, Galveston College (TX)
19/582 Arthur Garland, OF, Santa Ana College (CA)
20/612 Preston Larrison, RHP, West HS (Aurora, IL)
21/642 Darin Moore, RHP, University of the Pacific (CA)
22/672 Dan Grummitt, 1B, Shawnee State University
23/702 Robert Moore, 2B, Middle George College (Douglas, GA)
24/732 Ryan Jorgensen, C, San Jacinto College (TX)
25/762 Joe Haines, RHP, Freed Hardeman HS (Cape Giardeau, MO)
26/792 George Moran, RHP, Red Bluff HS (Red Bluff, CA)
27/822 James Lira, RHP, Laredo JC (TX)
28/852 Chadwick Cossette, C, Edmonds CC (WA)
29/882 Jeremy Manning, LHP, Pitt CC
30/912 Gary Welch, RHP, Howard College (TX)
31/942 Chris Wailand, RHP, Manatee HS (Bradenton, FL)
32/972 Sean Mahoney, OF, Florida International University (FL)
33/1002 Rudolph Frolish, LHP, Ansonia HS (Ansonia, CT)
34/1032 Matthew Schuldt, RHP, University of Nebraska (NE)
35/1062 Monte MacGillivray, LHP, Mt. San Jacinto JC (CA)
36/1092 Tim Olson, SS, Hutchinson CC (Bismarck, ND)
37/1122 Brandon Medders, RHP, Hillcrest HS (Duncanville, AL)
38/1152 Andrew Cook, RHP, Antioch HS (Antioch, CA)
39/1182 Edwin Rodriguez, 1B, Ponce High HS (Ponce, PR)
40/1212 Michael McCuan, RHP, Butler County CC (Hayesville, KS)
41/1242 Jeff Bruksch, RHP, Beverly Hills HS (Beverly Hills, CA)
42/1271 Dane Hutchens, RHP, McLennan College (TX)
43/1299 Brandon Culp, RHP, Wallace CC
44/1325 Mark Carter, LHP, Hewitt HS (Trussville, AL)
45/1350 Harold Godeill, OF, Modesto JC (CA)
46/1372 Cody Getz, LHP, Eastern Utah CC (UT)
47/1393 Lee Stephens, 1B, Stetson University (FL)
48/1413 Mike Jacobs, C, Hilltop HS (Chula Vista, CA)
49/1430 Justin Hancock, SS, Bloomingdale HS (Brandon, FL)
50/1445 Luis Candelaria, OF, Hill JC (TX)