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With Opening Day upon us in major league baseball, the time has come to take a look at the 2012 pitchers for the Tampa Bay Rays.
THE STARTING ROTATION
1. James "Big Game" Shields, RHP
(via)David Price had high expectations in 2011. Coming off a 2010 where he finished second in the Cy Young voting, Price posted career highs in both strikeout rate (8.7 K/9) and walk rate (2.5 BB/9). His record wasn't glamourous, 12 wins and 13 losses, but by the numbers he kept pace. Price had a 3.49 ERA, but a 3.32 FIP, lower than Shields's 3.42. Additionally, the pitchers were matched in terms of worth. Shields boasted a 4.9 Wins Above Replacement in 2011, and Price pitched 4.7 WAR. The key difference is that where Shields is a change up pitcher, fooling batters with slow burners, David Price dials it up. Last year he led the league in whiffs on fastballs!
This year could be another break out year for Price. For comparison, lets look at his career of using SIERA (which is ERA, but removes the effect of the park, defense, and luck) and xFIP (the best measure of how a pitcher should pitch). You read them both like an ERA, the lower the better.
2009: 4.46 SIERA, 4.43 xFIP / 2010: 3.85, 3.83 / 2011: 3.27, 3.32
Price has seen consistent improvement, especially over his famed 2010, so big things could be ahead.
3. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP
(via)The Big Nyquil is back this year, winning the battle against Wade Davis for the fifth spot in the rotation. After returning from injury last season, Niemann went 10-3 with a 3.55 ERA while holding batters to a .239 batting average. At age 28, he's reaching his potential as a starter, but Rays fans can expect a great performance from him this season if he stays healthy.
Niemann had a chip on his shoulder, having been left off the post season roster last year. That determination earned his spot in the rotation. While some Rays fans might have felt attached to Wade Davis, Niemann has the most upside as a starter.
THE BULLPEN
Part 1: High Leverage Pitchers
Wade Davis, RHP
Davis Island will be pitching out of the bullpen this season, and as our editor has written: his velocity and his potential are both fit for a relief role. A former power pitcher, his pitching had grown labored and his speed had dipped to levels that let batters hit everything in sight. In relief, however, we see his old numbers return:
The last two appearances on the chart are in relief. Davis seemed quite reluctant to be converted from starting, but the Rays are hoping to see him return to form this season, and the bullpen will give him the best platform to succeed.
Davis will function as the Rays long reliever. If a starting pitcher is having a horrible day, Davis can step in and pitch four or five innings if needed.
Kyle Farnsworth, RHP
The Rays closer, Kyle Farnsworth, will start the season on the disabled list - but only for a short stint. Some elbow soreness has given management a reason to let him take it easy, and he is projected to be back when the tenderness is gone.
Manager Joe Maddon has been reluctant to give titles, as he sees his pitchers as being high leverage, low leverage, or specialists. The closer role is considered high leverage, but the sixth inning with bases loaded and two outs could be the most important part of the game as well. You never know when you might see a Rays reliever, but expect Farnsworth at the end of games.
The Farns had 25 saves in 51 9th innings and 63 appearances during 2011. He will be a free agent next year.
Joel Peralta, RHP
Peralta is the Rays other fireman - traditionally the eighth inning guy, but for the Rays that just means high leverage. As Farnsworth hits the DL soon, expect Peralta to get the nod.
Fully named Joel Peralta Gutiérrez, he made 71 appearances for the Rays last year including six saves in 18 ninth innings. His 0.91 WHIP made the 35 year old Dominican the Rays most used relief pitcher in 2011. He will be a free agent next year as well.
Part 2: Lefty Relief Pitchers
JP Howell, LHP
The former closer for the Rays, Howell has struggled with injuries for the past few seasons. After posting a 10.7 K/9 in 2009, he missed the 2010 season with multiple surgeries, and bounced around between the majors and minors during 2011. This year there are hopes he can become his former self. He played 46 appearances with the Rays in 2011 and got batters strike out at 7.6 K/9, but walked them at 5.28 BB/9 as well. He's currently best suited for small relief appearances, but has a lot of upside. This is JP's last year under contract.
Jake McGee, LHP
McGee is a pitcher with high expectations, but hasn't found his groove in the majors. The former closer for the AAA affiliate, he held a 14.0 K/9 (!!!) in the minors. His 2011 campaign showed promise with an 8.7 K/9 in the majors and a 10.3 K/9 in AAA. There's doubt he can live up to the hype, but management showed a vote of confidence by placing him on the opening day roster.
Part 3: Righty Relief Pitchers
Fernando Rodney, RHP
The Rays spent $2 mil for one year of a relief pitcher this winter. That's big news; that is Kyle Farnsworth money for this franchise. He's a change up pitcher that has a lot of potential, but has played mediocre until this year and left many scratching heads at the price tag.
So why did the Rays want him? Because most of his problems can be easily fixed. Pitching coach Jim Hickey most assuredly saw opportunity in Rodney to turn his game around, so the former Angel will be the player I'm most intrigued about in 2012.
Burke Badenhop, RHP
The newest addition to the bullpen is a man the Rays made a steal of a trade with the Marlins for: Burke Badenhop. He's a groundball pitcher that Miami had used as a long reliever. After looking at his career, we can assume the Rays will go in a different direction and use his slider/sinker repertoire for right handed match ups and double play situations. He will be a free agent next year.
Part 4: The Call Ups
Given the risk of injuries for pitchers, there are always a few relief guys on hold in AAA ready to be called up. There are three worthy of note as the season begins.
Alex Cobb, Starter, RHP
Cobb started 9 games for the Rays in 2011 with a 3.42 ERA. He earned a win in 3 of those games and only got 6.3 K/9 in his 53 innings of work. His AAA numbers showed nearly a 10.0 K/9 and a 1.87 ERA despite having hoorible luck (.331 BABIP) so his upside is strong. He's fantastic insurance for the Rays this season should there be any injuries in the starting rotation and Wade Davis stays in the bullpen.
Josh Lueke, Reliever, RHP
Acquired from Seattle for catcher John Jaso, the Rays gave up a starter to give Lueke a chance. He found himself in AAA to start the season, but he's likely the first to be called up. His case for a bullpen slot shows him striking out 20% of batters with a curveball and sinker that get a lot of empty swings from batters. He had two options left to be sent to AAA though, so he's starting the season on call.
Brandon Gomes, Reliever, RHP
Gomes had 40 appearances for the Rays in 2011. His numbers were respectable (2.92 ERA, 7.8 K/9, 3.9 BB/9) but off season back surgery has him on a slow recovery. He'll be a great option for the Rays down the stretch.
Cesar Ramos, Reliever, LHP
Ramos made 59 appearance for the Rays last year, but his walks were too high (5.15 BB/9) and his strike outs too low (6.39 K/9) to earn a nod to start the season. Last spring he performed will to earn a job in the pen. This spring saw much of where he left off last year. He has the most experience of any lefty reliever in AAA, so he's on call. Hopefully he seizes the opportunity to develop in the minors to return stronger on his next visit.
For a preview of the 2012 Tampa Bay Rays offense, read here.
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