If “pitching and defense” is still the name of the Rays game, the middle infield will be just fine in 2018. With first and third still in question, shortstop and second base should be a strength, at least defensively, come Opening Day.
Last season the Rays brought over a slick-fielding, scrappy hitter in Adeiny Hechavarria from Miami in July. He proved to be a human highlight reel nearly every night. His bat started to show signs of life in the second half of the season. “Hech” is awaiting his arbitration hearing and it’s very likely he begins the year as the starting short stop.
Second base will most likely be decided in camp. With Brad Miller possibly in the running to slide back over to first base (he played 39 games there in 2016) it’ll come down to a few names to compete for or split playing time at second.
It should start with Daniel Robertson. “D-Rob” played in 75 games last season in his rookie year and though struggling at the plate, he was as solid as they come at multiple positions. In those games, he got the bulk of his time at second base, logging 41 games at the position with just one error.
If the Rays are higher on offense at the second base position, it’s likely Ryan Schimpf gets a long look. Traded to Tampa back in mid-December from the Padres, Schimpf slugged 34 home runs in just 142 games in San Diego over the last two seasons. His .809 OPS in that same span would be higher than anyone else on the infield depth chart.
Joey Wendle is another option. It’s unlikely he would win a starting role, but he’s a versatile infielder the Rays brought over from Oakland last month.
Bubble guys
Claimed off waivers from the Giants back in November, Micah Johnson will compete for playing time. While a natural second baseman, Johnson hasn’t played the position at the MLB level since 2016.
Here’s a look at the Top 4 #Rays prospects now with Arroyo in the mix. OF Jesus Sanchez drops to 5, 1B Jake Bauers to 6th @MLBPipeline also has Arroyo as the No.3 3B prospect in MLB pic.twitter.com/MUKrbfrzNe
— Kris Dunn (@KRSDunn) December 20, 2017
Willy Adames, the Rays #2 overall prospect, may have an outside shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. With 130 games at AAA last season he has little left to prove. Adames hit 10 home runs, drove in 62, and hit for an impressive slash of .277/.360/.415 while playing primarily short stop. He is, however, capable of moving over to second if that is where the Rays need him.
With less than a month before workouts begin in Port Charlotte, there are questions all over the infield. With plenty of depth up the middle, however, the Rays should be in pretty good shape. Where Christian Arroyo winds up and if they do, indeed, move Miller to first all play a factor, as well.
