If there is one group to be excited about on the Rays depth chart in 2018 it has to be the outfield. Anchored by two-time Gold Glove centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier, and 30-home run man in right, Steven Souza, it should be the most well-rounded bunch on this roster. The only question heading into camp in a couple of weeks will be who mans left field. As of right now, one would think Denard Span gets the majority of the playing time. Barring a trade, that will most likely be the case.
Here’s the breakdown of how we feel it’ll pan out come Opening Day.
Starters
LF Span – He’ll be 34 by the time March 29th rolls around but he can still go. The 10-year MLB veteran and Tampa native is due to make $11M in 2018 with $2M of that being paid by his former team, the Giants. If the Rays don’t want to take on the rest of that salary, he’ll be traded. Though they may see upside to his durability and speed at the top of the lineup ahead of Kiermaier.
CF Kiermaier – The Rays need a full season from their “golden boy” in center. In 2017, he played in just 98 games but still managed his best offensive season to date. His career-highs in home runs (15), avg (.276), on-base % (.338), and OPS (.788) give fans and the team plenty to be excited about. Oh, and word is he’s pretty good in the field, too.
RF Souza Jr – Another Ray who set some career-highs in 2017. Souza smashed 30-home runs in a career-best 148 games. His .351 on-base % was also a career-high along with an impressive .810 OPS. Souza’s defense is likely the most underrated part of his game.
Depth
Mallex Smith is electric. He proved that time and time again last season. But can he be a starter? If Span gets traded look for Mallex to be the “next man up” for the majority of the playing time in left. Jake Bauers is one of the top prospects in the Rays system and among the top 100 in MLB. Though he’s a first baseman by trade he does have plenty of outfield experience, playing 55 games in left field for the Durham Bulls in 2017. If the Rays don’t view him their answer at first base, he just might get a shot at left field at some point this year. While Corey Dickerson will likely get the majority of his playing time at DH, he proved he can be pretty slick in left field. He manned the position in 98 games last year and gave the Rays some pretty fantastic moments.
Up and coming
Justin Williams is the future. He’s just 22 and should get plenty of time to show what he’s made of at Durham. In 96 games with Montgomery (AA) in ’17 he hit .301/.364/.489 with an impressive .853 OPS. He’s likely a September call-up but don’t be shocked to see him before then if the injury bug hits early.
