Tyler Glasnow puts together a solid start but top prospect, Colin Poche, continues to battle control as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays today 11-2.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – His first two starts of the spring weren’t ideal. Glasnow went into today’s game against the Jays having given up five runs in his first three innings of the spring (v Yankees and Phillies). Against Toronto’s lineup today, he settled down. Pitching into the third inning for the first time, Glasnow’s only blemish was a lead-off walk to start the third. That run would come around to score thanks to the continued struggles of Poche who came into the game in relief.
While the chances of Poche making his first Opening Day roster were slim to begin with, he certainly hasn’t helped his cause this spring.
Poche problems
In relief of Glasnow, the 18th overall prospect in the Rays system, faced five hitters. All of them reached base via three walks and two run-scoring singles. His spring training ERA shot up to 12.27 in just 3.2 innings of work. He’s also issued nine free passes.
Cash doesn’t seem too worried about the 25-year old southpaw. ” “I’m confident that he’ll get back in a groove; it’s just taking a little more time than we would all like to see.”
Wilmer worries
Wilmer Font expects to be on the Opening Day roster. He’s coming back off a lat injury that he suffered back in June of last season. In just his second appearance of the spring today, Font didn’t perform well at all. He allowed five runs, recorded just one out, raising his ERA to 27.00 in just 1.1 innings of work this spring.
Both Poche and Font could easily turn their springs around. The sample size is small and it may only take another couple outings to right both their ships. Both will have plenty more outings between now and the end of camp.
The good news
Aside from Glasnow taking a step forward today LHP Jalen Beeks looked good pitching a scoreless frame. Yandy Diaz drove in the only two runs of the game with a two-RBI single in the third. Aside from that there wasn’t much to smile about in the home dugout today.
Next up
The Rays send RHP Jake Faria to the hill tomorrow for his first spring start against the Twins in Fort Myers. In three games of relief this spring, Faria has pitched to a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings.
“Rotation” all but set
Cash said this morning that the Rays “rotation” as it were, is shaping to look as follows: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Glasnow, opener, opener. Though he followed by saying it’s not set in stone, it’s a safe bet that will be the route taken most of the season.
