Cronenworth/Smith move up, Wilson on the block.
The MLB trade deadline looms and the Rays are already in the news. With rumors swirling that they are in the conversation to acquire LHP Justin Wilson from the Detroit Tigers among other arms they’re linked to, the Rays are poised to improve on a team currently with a 1.5 game lead in the wild card race.
On Tuesday, they started adding that bullpen depth acquiring RHP Chaz Roe from the Braves for cash.
Getting Chaz Roe from #Braves is not THE move #Rays are looking to make. Expect him to go to AAA Durham as depth.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 18, 2017
Roe, 30, is in his fifth year of MLB and second with Atlanta. Recently activated off the DL with a lat strain, Roe has pitched in just three games in 2017. He has 97.1 innings pitched at the MLB level and 107 strikeouts as a “lefty specialist.”
Movin’ on up!
The Rays also promoted two of their prospects on Tuesday to AA Montgomery.
Shortstop Jake Cronenworth, a three-time minor league All Star, played in 86 games with A-level Charlotte this year. He led the team in walks (47) while hitting .270 with 23 extra-base hits and 29 RBI. The Rays drafted Cronenworth, 23, in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. In 253 MiLB games he’s hitting .280 for his career with seven home runs, 102 RBI, and a .766 OPS.
RHP Drew Smith is second in the Florida State League in walks per nine innings (1.79) and fewest baserunners per nine innings (8.70) amongst relievers. In 28.2 innings in Charlotte, he posted a 2.20 ERA with 28 strikeouts and five walks. Smith was the “player to be named later” in the trade that sent OF Mikie Mahtook to the Tigers on April 28. The 23-year old is touted as the Rays 29th best prospect. Smith was drafted by the Tigers in the third round of the 2015 draft.
