Chris Mason (pictured) RHRP, age 24
Durham Bulls - International League (AAA)
Dan Johnson (pic) (28) was 7th in RBI's with 83
Montgomery Biscuits - Southern League (AA)
Columbus Catfish - South Atlantic League (A)
Hudson Valley Renegades - New York-Penn League (A-)
Mayobanex Acosta (pic) (20) was 10th (tie) in 2B's with 14
VSL Rays - Venezuelan Summer League (R)
Alejandro Torres (pic) (19) was 9th (tie) in HR's with 5
Once again, just one representative for the Rays here. This time, it's Jeremy Hellickson. The RHSP's stats were outstanding with Vero Beach before a mid-season promotion to Montgomery: A 2.00 ERA to go along with an 83:5 strikeout:walk ratio in 76 innings. BA says:He may have a plus fastball and a sometimes devastating curveball, but the first thing FSL observers mentioned about Hellickson was his savvy. He could just reach back and blow away a lot of hitters, but he was much happier to keep them off balance.
Hellickson's fastball sits between 92-94 mph and he can add a tick more velocity when he needs to. On the days when he was locating his 12-to-6 curveball, he was almost unhittable, though there are games where he'll lose the feel for it and it becomes a harder 11-to-5 breaker. He also believes in his solid low-80s changeup.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % | Games Back |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 96 | 64 | .600 | -- |
| Boston Red Sox | 94 | 66 | .588 | 2.0 |
| New York Yankees | 88 | 72 | .550 | 8.0 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 85 | 75 | .531 | 11.0 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 67 | 92 | .421 | 28.5 |
"All players who had at least 150 plate appearances combined at levels AAA, AA, and A+. I'm not doing mle translations for low A, or any of the short season or rookie leagues."
"Everyone from AAA down through Short-Season low-A leagues are included, hitting and pitching."
More time to enjoy Port Charlotte (artist's rendition) because of the World Baseball Classic:"Players will start reporting to training camps on Feb. 14, under an agreement between the players' association and the commissioner's office. Exhibition games will start about Feb. 25.
In most years, pitchers and catchers open workouts 45 days before opening day followed by position players five days later. Under that schedule, workouts would not have begun until Feb. 20.
Under the new schedule, all players on WBC rosters of China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and pitchers and catchers from other WBC teams must report to their major league clubs on Feb. 14, which will be the voluntary report date for all other pitchers, catchers and injured players.
Remaining WBC position players must report by Feb. 17, which will be the voluntary report date for all other major league position players. The mandatory reporting date for non-WBC players was moved up to Feb. 22 from March 5.
"After the '08 Olympics, having some pride for the U.S., having (Michael) Phelps bring all that gold back, baseball players are going to want to jump onboard and represent the U.S," Tampa Bay outfielder Johnny Gomes said."
Catchers: Mayobanex Acosta, Nevin Ashley, Jake Jefferies, Mike McCormick, Mark Thomas, Alejandro Torres
Cobb wasn't the flashiest pitcher in the league, but he made an impression by getting ahead of hitters and inducing groundballs. His 88-91 mph fastball has sink and deception, and he commands his 11-to-5 curveball well enough to throw it in any count. His splitter is a decent offering that he employs as a changeup.
| Team | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| '08 Columbus (A) | 25 | 25 | 139.2 | 3.29 | 4.40 | 4.16 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 7.3 | 1.0 |
| '07 Hudson Valley (A-) | 16 | 16 | 81.1 | 3.54 | 3.61 | 3.58 | 6.9 | 3.4 | 8.6 | 0.4 |
| '06 Princeton (R) | 6 | 1 | 9.0 | 5.00 | 6.76 | 6.71 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 |
Q: Ian from Georgetown PA asks: What was the main reason for Glenn Gibson not living up to the hype in Columbus this season?
A: Bill Ballew: The Rays were very high on Gibson entering this season, but he simply did not pitch very well. He walked a lot of guys by trying to be too fine at times, and when he did get the ball across the plate, batters hit the ball with consistency. The Rays aren't giving up on him, but his stock has dropped since this time last year.
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | SO/BB |
| Bencomo, Omar (pictured) | 19.6 | VSL | 18.3 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 8.5 |
| Ayers, Kyle | 19.0 | R | 8.3 |
| Hellickson, Jeremy | 21.4 | A+, AA | 8.1 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 7.0 |
| Bagley, Jamie | 21.2 | R, A- | 6.7 |
| Darcy, Jesse | 23.3 | A | 6.5 |
| Suarez, Albert | 18.9 | R | 5.3 |
| Rodriguez, Wilking | 18.5 | VSL | 4.8 |
| Schenk, Neil | 22.3 | A- | 4.8 |
| Cruz, Joseph | 20.2 | R | 4.4 |
| Luck, Chris | 19.2 | R | 4.4 |
| Rollins, Heath | 23.3 | A+, AA | 4.2 |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.3 | R | 4.1 |
| Talbot, Mitch | 24.9 | AAA | 4.0 |
| Team | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Durham (AAA) | 28 | 28 | 161.0 | 3.86 | 3.03 | 2.99 | 7.9 | 2.0 | 9.2 | 0.5 | Tampa Bay (MLB) | 2 | 1 | 7.1 | 8.59 | 8.52 | 7.62 | 4.9 | 7.4 | 13.5 | 2.5 |
| Team | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Vero Beach (A+) | 6 | 6 | 34.2 | 1.82 | 1.67 | 1.92 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 7.3 | 0.0 |
| Montgomery (AA) | 9 | 9 | 57.0 | 1.89 | 3.92 | 3.80 | 8.7 | 2.5 | 6.6 | 1.1 |
| Durham (AAA) | 4 | 4 | 18.0 | 4.50 | 2.81 | 3.02 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 11.0 | 0.0 | Tampa Bay (MLB) | 3 | 1 | 11.1 | 2.38 | 3.55 | 3.67 | 7.1 | 2.4 | 6.4 | 0.8 |
| Team | Runs | Hits | 2B | HR | BB | SO |
| Durham (AAA) | 1.03 | 1.00 | 1.01 | 1.25 | 1.08 | 1.02 |
| Montgomery (AA) | 1.06 | 1.03 | 1.05 | 1.16 | 1.04 | 0.95 |
| Vero Beach (A+) | 1.05 | 0.99 | 1.00 | 1.22 | 1.08 | 0.98 |
| Columbus (A) | 0.98 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 1.17 | 0.97 | 1.02 |
| Hudson Valley (A-) | 1.07 | 0.96 | 1.05 | 0.75 | 1.04 | 1.08 |
| Team | Runs | Hits | 2B | HR | BB | SO |
| Durham (AAA) | 1.03 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.19 | 1.03 | 1.06 |
| Montgomery (AA) | 1.02 | 1.02 | 1.04 | 1.06 | 0.98 | 0.99 |
| Vero Beach (A+) | 1.06 | 1.01 | 0.99 | 1.30 | 1.03 | 1.01 |
| Columbus (A) | 0.98 | 0.98 | 0.98 | 1.09 | 0.99 | 1.02 |
| Hudson Valley (A-) | 1.02 | 0.99 | 1.04 | 0.87 | 1.01 | 1.10 |
"[David] Price will take the rotation turn of right-hander Matt Garza, who tossed Wednesday night's game on shortened rest, and will be followed by James Shields and rookie Mitch Talbot in Tuesday's doubleheader....
The move is two-fold for the Rays, as the club will get to see Price in regular-season action and Garza will be able to get a lengthy recovery. [Manager Joe] Maddon said Garza will get his next start as scheduled, which would be Saturday's game in Detroit.
Although Price has been pitching out of the Rays' bullpen since his callup on Sept. 13, Maddon said he will hold the young lefty to a pretty standard 100-pitch count on Monday night.
Fellow rookie Talbot will also be making his first Major League start in the Rays' second game on Tuesday, as Maddon also liked the way the right-hander has performed against lefty-heavy lineups like the Orioles."
From the press release: The Tampa Bay Rays today named outfielder Fernando Perez Minor League Player of the Year and left-handed pitcher David Price Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The Rays also announced the 2008 players and pitchers of the year for each of their eight minor league affiliates.
Vero Beach Devil Rays
And finally, Montgomery's Matt Spring (pictured after late-season promotion) has been named the winner of the second annual Erik Walker Community Champion Award. The award recognizes a Rays minor league player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement, attributes exhibited by Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in October 2006 in a canoeing accident.
"Barnese established a reputation as a strike-thrower in his pro debut last year in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, posting a dazzling 37-4 K-BB ratio in 36 innings. He continued to pound the zone but was even more dominating this summer as a 19-year-old in the NY-P, striking out 11.5 batters per nine innings.
Barnese's biggest strength is his excellent command of a low-90s fastball with outstanding life down in the zone. He has a loose arm action and a projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame, suggesting he could add velocity as he matures. He has an aggressive, unflappable mound demeanor and isn't afraid to attack hitters on the inner half.
His breaking ball is also a quality offering, with good depth and late break. Barnese made progress with his changeup this summer, and it projects as a third average-or-better pitch."
"Q: JAYPERS from IL asks: Where would you rank Barnese amongst the bevy of other well-known top Rays young arms, such as Price, Davis, McGee, Hellickson, Cobb, etc? Also, what timetable are the Rays setting for him?Danny's not the only one interested in Jacob Jefferies:
A: Aaron Fitt: I like Barnese a lot, but I would rank him behind that group of more advanced prospects, just because he's farther away. He also does not have the upside of the Price/Davis/McGee/Hellickson group. I see him more as a No. 3 or No. 4, whereas you could really project those other guys as having top half of the rotation upside."
"Q: JAYPERS from IL asks: Did Jacob Jeffries get consideration for this list? His plate discipline seems to stand out the most, but what about his other tools?
A: Aaron Fitt: His plate discipline has always been his biggest asset -- he was one of the toughest hitters in the nation to strike out this spring at UC Davis. He's a really soft hitter, though, who hit a lot of balls between shortstop and the left-field line. It was hard to get a feel for his defense this summer, because he DHed a lot more than he caught, but he had a reputation as an average catch-and-throw guy in college, with a fringe-average arm. Scouts were not impressed with his arm this summer."
"First Baseman Eli Sonoqui, a three-year veteran of wearing the Princeton colors, has seen some numbers accumulate for him over his stay in Princeton and will be joining the record book in three different career categories. With his total of 118 career games played for Princeton, only two players in team history have taken the field for action more times than Sonoqui. The 6'2", 200lb. resident of Phoenix, AZ also is now fourth all-time in team history in career at-bats with 419 and fifth in career hits with 108.
Catcher Mayo Acosta, who has been behind the plate for the P-Rays for the past two seasons, is now fourth in team history with 24 career doubles. The other 2008 P-Rays' position player that will be joining the mentions is second baseman Elias Otero, whose name will be listed with the other 25 Princeton players that have previously been named as an Appalachian League All-Star. Otero was the only Princeton player to be named to the league's honor squad in 2008 and was the first Princeton player to be named as a league all-star since catcher Nevin Ashley in 2006.
On the pitching side of the ledger, Sam Mullins of the 1992 & 1993 Princeton Reds has stood alone as the franchise's career leader in career pitching victories with nine. That is until now as he has been tied by Chris Luck, who logged three victories for the 2007 P-Rays and was undefeated this past season in six decisions. Also, pitcher Matt Moore, who has also seen action for Princeton each of the last two seasons, is now second all-time for the franchise by administering 106 career strikeouts."
"An outstanding athlete, Beckham has plus hitter's hands, solid pitch recognition and the bat speed to turn around quality fastballs. As he matures, he also should add average power, though he's already solidly built and doesn't project to be much more than an average runner. Beckham is an above-average defender with major league actions at short. His arm is above-average and he gets rid of the ball quickly. As the season wore on, he improved in getting his feet behind him on throws to first base."
"With easy 92-94 mph velocity (and the ability to touch 95) from the left side and a tight, late-breaking curveball, Moore offers true top-of-the-rotation potential. He also fine-tuned his changeup, which runs away from righthanders. Add in plus makeup and competitiveness, and Moore has established himself as one of Tampa Bay's brighter pitching prospects."
"With a projectable 6-foot-2, 186-pound frame and a clean arm stroke, Suarez has drawn comparisons to countryman Freddy Garcia. His repeatable delivery features terrific downhill plane, and he walked just seven batters in 11 appearances. His curveball has above-average potential but is inconsistent. He also showed aptitude for a changeup that he began throwing in extended spring training, but it also needs refinement."
"Q: Ben from Leland Grove asks: With Beckham on the way up, should Brignac be nervous in the coming years, or do you see him as potential trade bait?
A: Matt Eddy: Interesting question, but thankfully for the Rays, it's one they won't have to address for two and a half or three years, when Beckham's minor league apprenticeship ends. By that time, the organization will have a better handle on Brignac's major league potential. More on Brignac when we get to the International League . . .
Matt Eddy: If both Beckham and Brignac develop as expected with the bat, then one of them could shift to another infield position. But that's the beauty of up-the-middle players -- often they can slide down the defensive spectrum to less demanding positions."
"Q: Swig from Boise, ID asks: How good can Matt Moore be? I've heard Scott Kazmir comparisons. Is that type of a ceiling possible for this kid?
A: Matt Eddy: Moore's pitching style compares favorably with Kazmir's, in that both lefties feature power fastballs and hard breaking balls. Moore is more physical, at 6-2, 205, but each of Kazmir's pitches is at least a grade higher.
Matt Eddy: With his mid-90s heat and hard breaker, Moore has top-of-the-rotation potential, but he's so far away that you may want to hold off on the Kazmir comps for now. Remember, Kazmir carved up the New York-Penn League in his debut; he didn't need to repeat the Appy League, as Moore did."
"Q: Doug A. Milhoan from North Canton, OH asks: I was surprised you chose Albert Suarez over his Princeton teammate Joseph Cruz. Thoughts on Cruz?[EDIT 5:40 by Doug]: Well, I'm a fair guy. Ages: Suarez 18.9, Cruz 20.1. Cruz was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 draft out of East Los Angeles Junior College and is repeating the Appy this year (only 9 IP in 2007). One more:
A: Matt Eddy: That's a fair question. It's easier to dream on Suarez because he's young, projectable and already shows advanced command. For his part, Cruz gets real good extension on his pitches, as he has long arms, and he throws his fastball up to 94 mph. He's a plus competitor who has a strong feel for his changeup, but his breaking ball needs refinement."
"Q: Steve from Orlando asks: Does Matt Moore compare to Jake McGee at the same age?
A: Matt Eddy: Moore already has "more" advanced feel for his secondary stuff, particularly his breaking ball, than McGee did. McGee's fastball is a tick better, however."
"Every season hundreds of minor league ball clubs attempt to come up with the wackiest, craziest and most bizarre promotion they can think of in hopes of leaving a lasting impression on their fans. This year the Renegades did just that with "Born in the USA" night. "Born in the USA" night received the 2008 Veeckies Award as the top promotion in Minor League Baseball, courtesy of ESPN the Magazine.
On July 1st Pedro Risso, a native of Portugal, competed against three American citizens for the chance to have the Renegades fund the cost of his naturalization.
Risso competed in five on field games; an apple pie eating contest, the Boston-three party (a tribute to the Boston Tea Party), the British are coming (a twist on Paul Revere's ride), a corn chucking contest and a quiz with questions from the U.S. citizenship test.
Risso needed to score 13 total points throughout the contests, earning three points for a first-place finish and two points for a second-place finish. He competed against three American citizens and despite his unbelievable effort came up three points short.
...
"This is truly an honor to receive the 2008 Veeckies top award as best promotion of the year," said General Manager Eben Yager. "Being recognized on a national level raises the bar for next season, so make sure to check us out in 2009. I'm feeling a repeat."
About the Veeckies:
The Veeckies are named after late promotions-genius Bill Veeck. Veeck was known for many promotional innovations including sending the 3'7" Eddie Gaedel to the plate with the St. Louis Browns, orchestrating "Grandstand Day" where fans decided the managerial decisions and installing the first ever exploding scoreboard."
| Team | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Vero Beach (A+) | 6 | 6 | 34.2 | 1.82 | 1.67 | 1.92 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 7.3 | 0.0 |
| Montgomery (AA) | 9 | 9 | 57.0 | 1.89 | 3.92 | 3.80 | 8.7 | 2.5 | 6.6 | 1.1 |
| Durham (AAA) | 4 | 4 | 18.0 | 4.50 | 2.81 | 3.02 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 11.0 | 0.0 | Totals | 19 | 19 | 109.2 | 2.30 | 3.03 | 3.05 | 8.9 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 0.6 |
"Tempo: Price is 20-21 frames from maximal leg lift into footplant. That's a bit slow, but he is a big boy. I give him an Average grade."
"I grade his Arm Action as Excellent."
"I grade his ball release / followthrough phase as Excellent."
"The Yankees jumped on the Durham Bulls early and often for a 20-2 win and then jumped on top of each other at the pitcher's mound to celebrate the franchise's first Governors' Cup title in its 20-year Triple-A history. The Yankees claimed the best-of-five International League championship series 3-1.
Every Yankees starter had a hit for a team total of 18. Yankees shortstop and No. 9 hitter Chris Basak was 4-for-4 with two doubles, two walks and four runs."
"After the game, [Bulls manager Charlie] Montoyo informed Mitch Talbot, Johnny Gomes, Jeff Niemann and Minor League Player of the Year David Price that they were being called up by the Tampa Bay Rays, who are fighting for their first American League playoff berth."
"Gomes and Price will report to the Rays on Saturday; Talbot and Niemann will join the Rays in St. Petersburg on Monday.
Price last pitched Tuesday, "so he'll be available [for bullpen duty Saturday]," said Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "But obviously, with him not having much experience in the bullpen, it'll be something that we may approach a little differently. But as far as the particulars of the Price rules, it's too early to give any direction there. But tomorrow, he will be available to pitch in relief."
The plan is for all three pitchers to be used out of the bullpen.
"All three guys don't have much experience in the bullpen," Friedman said. "We're going to come up with something that we feel like works. We're fortunate it's September and we have a lot of options down there. We're going to think through it on all three guys.""
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | SO/9 |
| Gorgen, Matthew (pictured) | 21.6 | A- | 13.7 |
| Hinkle, Austin | 22.3 | A | 12.9 |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.2 | R | 12.8 |
| Schenk, Neil | 22.2 | A- | 12.6 |
| Long, Matthew | 23.9 | R, A- | 11.5 |
| Mavares, Deivis | 21.9 | VSL | 11.5 |
| Barnese, Nick | 19.7 | A- | 11.5 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | A+, AA | 11.4 |
| Satow, Joshua | 22.7 | A- | 11.3 |
| Jarman, Michael | 23.3 | R | 10.9 |
| Bagley, Jamie | 21.1 | R, A- | 10.9 |
| Rafferty, Thomas | 23.6 | A- | 10.9 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 10.8 |
| Cruz, Joseph | 20.1 | R | 10.3 |
| Lara, Braulio | 19.7 | DSL | 10.3 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | SO |
| Hellickson, Jeremy (pictured) | 21.4 | A+, AA | 162 |
| Talbot, Mitch | 24.8 | AAA | 141 |
| Rollins, Heath | 23.3 | A+, AA | 138 |
| Davis, Wade | 23.0 | AA, AAA | 136 |
| Niemann, Jeff | 25.5 | AAA | 128 |
| Price, David | 23.0 | A+, AA, AAA | 109 |
| Mann, Brandon | 24.3 | A+ | 103 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | A+, AA | 98 |
| Darcy, Jesse | 23.2 | A | 98 |
| Cobb, Alex | 20.9 | A | 97 |
| Mason, Chris | 24.2 | AAA | 90 |
| Barnese, Nick | 19.7 | A- | 84 |
| Hall, Jeremy | 24.9 | A | 83 |
| Morse, Ryan | 25.3 | A+ | 80 |
| Garcia, Justin | 21.7 | A | 78 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | H/9 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 2.7 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 4.1 |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.2 | R | 5.0 |
| Garcia, Justin (pictured) | 21.7 | A | 5.1 |
| Mavares, Deivis | 21.9 | VSL | 5.5 |
| Jarman, Michael | 23.3 | R | 6.1 |
| McEachern, Jason | 17.9 | R | 6.1 |
| Hinkle, Austin | 22.3 | A | 6.2 |
| Jasco, Joselo | 19.9 | DSL | 6.3 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | A+, AA | 6.4 |
| Lopez, Kevin | 19.8 | VSL | 6.5 |
| Houser, James | 23.7 | AA | 6.6 |
| Niemann, Jeff | 25.5 | AAA | 6.8 |
| Wilsino, Juan | 19.4 | DSL | 6.9 |
| Molina, Alberto | 17.2 | DSL | 7.0 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | BB/9 |
| Bencomo, Omar (pictured) | 19.6 | VSL | 0.4 |
| Ayers, Kyle | 19.0 | R | 0.8 |
| Darcy, Jesse | 23.2 | A | 1.0 |
| Hellickson, Jeremy | 21.4 | A+, AA | 1.2 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 1.3 |
| Suarez, Albert | 18.9 | R | 1.4 |
| Monegro, Jose | 18.4 | DSL | 1.5 |
| Bagley, Jamie | 21.1 | R, A- | 1.6 |
| Wilsino, Juan | 19.4 | DSL | 1.7 |
| Rollins, Heath | 23.3 | A+, AA | 1.8 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 2.0 |
| Talbot, Mitch | 24.8 | AAA | 2.0 |
| Boggan, Kevin | 23.3 | A | 2.0 |
| Luck, Chris | 19.2 | R | 2.0 |
| Rodriguez, Wilking | 18.5 | VSL | 2.0 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | DIPS |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.2 | R | 1.62 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 1.78 |
| Jarman, Michael | 23.3 | R | 1.90 |
| Mavares, Deivis | 21.9 | VSL | 1.90 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 1.98 |
| Barnese, Nick | 19.7 | A- | 2.17 |
| Schenk, Neil | 22.2 | A- | 2.19 |
| Hinkle, Austin (pictured) | 22.3 | A | 2.29 |
| Rafferty, Thomas | 23.6 | A- | 2.32 |
| Satow, Joshua | 22.7 | A- | 2.32 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | A+, AA | 2.35 |
| Perez, Elvin | 22.5 | DSL | 2.55 |
| Bencomo, Omar | 19.6 | VSL | 2.61 |
| Wilsino, Juan | 19.4 | DSL | 2.62 |
| Garcia, Justin | 21.7 | A | 2.71 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | FIP |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.2 | R | 1.64 |
| Jarman, Michael | 23.3 | R | 1.78 |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 1.79 |
| Barnese, Nick | 19.7 | A- | 1.99 |
| Schenk, Neil (pictured) | 22.2 | A- | 2.04 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 2.07 |
| Satow, Joshua | 22.7 | A- | 2.16 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | A+, AA | 2.19 |
| Hinkle, Austin | 22.3 | A | 2.24 |
| Rafferty, Thomas | 23.6 | A- | 2.38 |
| Mavares, Deivis | 21.9 | VSL | 2.44 |
| Perez, Elvin | 22.5 | DSL | 2.50 |
| Garcia, Justin | 21.7 | A | 2.72 |
| Bencomo, Omar | 19.6 | VSL | 2.74 |
| Wilsino, Juan | 19.4 | DSL | 2.76 |
"MT: Gus is questioning the Rays' "sense of urgency" in not bringing up David Price yet to pitch out of the bullpen, but I don't agree with that. Price is in his first pro season, and though he dominated at the Class A and AA levels, he has not done so at Triple-A. So it is not anywhere close to automatic that he would dominate in the majors, or even be successful. Plus, he is not used to being a reliever and hasn't done it, so that would also be a big transtition. All that said, I think you will see him up here soon, and that in the "right" situation, when they can get him ready without rushing, he could pitch in relief. And there is, as I wrote the other day, a good chance he could start the second game of the Sept. 23 doubleheader in Baltimore."
"MT: Triple-A Durham won last night, so the Bulls' best-of-five championship series will continue to at least tonight. The Rays would seem likely to add at least a couple more players - OF Jonny Gomes, LHP David Price and maybe RHP Jeff Niemann or RHP Mitch Talbot. INF Elliot Johnson could be another. If Durham loses tonight, I think you'd see at least a couple of them on Saturday (though it's a 1 p.m. game) or Sunday. And for sure Monday at the Trop."
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | ERA |
| Liriano, Nelson | 20.8 | DSL | 0.32 |
| Satow, Joshua (pictured) | 22.7 | A- | 1.23 |
| McEachern, Jason | 17.9 | R | 1.44 |
| Mavares, Deivis | 21.9 | VSL | 1.48 |
| Jarman, Michael | 23.3 | R | 1.52 |
| Moore, Matthew | 19.2 | R | 1.66 |
| Frontz, Neal | 24.4 | A+, AA | 1.82 |
| Gorgen, Matthew | 21.6 | A- | 1.96 |
| Wilsino, Juan | 19.4 | DSL | 2.04 |
| Luck, Chris | 19.2 | R | 2.25 |
| Perez, Elvin | 22.5 | DSL | 2.27 |
| Price, David | 23.0 | A+, AA, AAA | 2.30 |
| Barnese, Nick | 19.7 | A- | 2.45 |
| Garcia, Justin | 21.7 | A | 2.49 |
| Hinkle, Austin | 22.3 | A | 2.51 |
| Pitcher | Age | Level(s) | IP |
| Rollins, Heath (pictured) | 23.3 | A+, AA | 161.1 |
| Talbot, Mitch | 24.8 | AAA | 161.0 |
| Davis, Wade | 23.0 | AA, AAA | 160.2 |
| Hellickson, Jeremy | 21.4 | A+, AA | 152.0 |
| Cobb, Alex | 20.9 | A | 139.2 |
| Darcy, Jesse | 23.2 | A | 133.0 |
| Niemann, Jeff | 25.5 | AAA | 133.0 |
| Morse, Ryan | 25.3 | A+ | 132.0 |
| Mann, Brandon | 24.3 | A+ | 130.2 |
| Flores, Brian | 23.7 | A | 118.0 |
| Price, David | 23.0 | A+, AA, AAA | 109.2 |
| Mason, Chris | 24.2 | AAA | 108.2 |
| Ragan, Jason | 25.8 | A | 108.0 |
| Hall, Jeremy | 24.9 | A | 105.1 |
| Gibson, Glenn | 20.9 | A, A- | 100.1 |
| Pitcher | Age | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Talbot, Mitch | 24.8 | 28 | 28 | 161.0 | 3.86 | 3.03 | 2.99 | 7.9 | 2.0 | 9.2 | 0.5 |
| Davis, Wade | 23.0 | 28 | 28 | 160.2 | 3.47 | 3.95 | 3.81 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 8.0 | 0.7 |
| Niemann, Jeff | 25.5 | 24 | 24 | 133.0 | 3.59 | 3.98 | 3.96 | 8.7 | 3.4 | 6.8 | 1.0 |
| Price, David | 23.0 | 19 | 19 | 109.2 | 2.30 | 3.03 | 3.05 | 8.9 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 0.6 |
| Mason, Chris | 24.2 | 33 | 17 | 108.2 | 6.21 | 5.09 | 4.83 | 7.5 | 3.4 | 11.9 | 1.6 |
| DeBarr, Nick | 25.0 | 50 | 0 | 78.0 | 4.73 | 5.20 | 5.03 | 6.1 | 4.5 | 8.9 | 1.2 |
| Medlock, Calvin | 25.8 | 41 | 0 | 63.0 | 4.57 | 4.90 | 4.91 | 5.7 | 4.6 | 9.6 | 1.0 |
"I had a unique opportunity this past week to speak with a former English instructor at the Indians spring training complex in Winter Haven. The Indians are one of the few teams in baseball that have an organized English program. Almost all of the Latin players come to spring training with a basic or beginner level of English, some are even better, and the average player who attends classes is very good at communicating in English. Many of the Latin players attend one of the Indians baseball academies in Venezuela or the Dominican Republic where they also have to attend English classes before coming stateside to spring training.
English classes start in spring training for any player that needs to learn the language and the classes continue throughout the year for those that remain in extended spring training. Classes are held three to four times a week and for two hours in the evening. Players take the classes seriously and the instructors keep them interesting by making them fun since players are attending these classes after playing baseball all day. Instructors know that the players would get bored easily if they were just presented with grammar rules or they made them listen and repeat. The main goal is for the players to be able to communicate and understand the other players and coaches on the team who speak English. In addition, the players also have seminars in cultural issues and how the United States government works, etc since the Indians want to develop the players as more well rounded people than just baseball players."
| Pitcher | Age | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Rollins, Heath | 23.3 | 27 | 25 | 161.1 | 3.24 | 3.57 | 3.57 | 7.7 | 1.8 | 7.8 | 0.9 |
| Hellickson, Jeremy | 21.4 | 27 | 27 | 152.0 | 2.96 | 3.46 | 3.43 | 9.6 | 1.2 | 8.8 | 1.3 |
| Houser, James | 23.7 | 20 | 20 | 94.1 | 2.86 | 4.42 | 4.21 | 7.3 | 3.8 | 6.6 | 0.9 |
| De Los Santos, Richard | 24.3 | 14 | 12 | 79.0 | 3.42 | 3.90 | 3.91 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 8.5 | 0.5 |
| McGee, Jacob | 22.1 | 15 | 15 | 77.2 | 3.94 | 4.00 | 4.05 | 7.5 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 0.7 |
| Reid, Ryan | 23.3 | 52 | 0 | 77.1 | 2.91 | 2.19 | 2.35 | 11.4 | 4.0 | 6.4 | 0.1 |
| Frontz, Neal | 24.4 | 55 | 0 | 74.1 | 1.82 | 3.50 | 3.31 | 6.9 | 2.4 | 7.6 | 0.5 |
| Morlan, Eduardo | 22.5 | 30 | 0 | 47.0 | 3.64 | 3.82 | 3.71 | 8.6 | 2.9 | 8.4 | 1.0 |
| Pitcher | Age | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Morse, Ryan | 25.3 | 28 | 19 | 132.0 | 4.09 | 4.16 | 4.14 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 10.0 | 0.8 |
| Mann, Brandon | 24.3 | 25 | 23 | 130.2 | 4.82 | 4.45 | 4.33 | 7.1 | 2.7 | 9.9 | 1.2 |
| Wlodarczyk, Mike | 25.8 | 36 | 7 | 77.0 | 5.14 | 4.04 | 3.89 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 11.5 | 0.7 |
| Baker, Brian | 25.7 | 46 | 0 | 69.2 | 3.49 | 3.59 | 3.41 | 7.1 | 2.2 | 7.8 | 0.6 |
| Townsend, Wade | 25.5 | 28 | 9 | 66.2 | 6.08 | 5.36 | 5.21 | 7.6 | 5.3 | 8.9 | 1.4 |
| Walker, Matt | 22.0 | 22 | 9 | 66.2 | 4.86 | 5.44 | 5.43 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 8.9 | 1.1 |
| Noel, Wilton | 25.7 | 26 | 7 | 66.1 | 4.21 | 4.60 | 4.46 | 6.2 | 3.1 | 9.5 | 1.1 |
| Owen, Ryan | 24.1 | 35 | 1 | 49.1 | 4.74 | 4.56 | 4.22 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 9.7 | 0.9 |
| Downs, Darin | 23.7 | 27 | 1 | 49.0 | 4.22 | 3.06 | 3.00 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 9.7 | 0.2 |
| Tiffany, Chuck | 23.6 | 21 | 6 | 41.2 | 3.46 | 5.17 | 5.11 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 0.6 |
| James, Craig | 25.5 | 9 | 1 | 22.2 | 3.18 | 3.29 | 3.18 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 9.9 | 0.4 |
| Pitcher | Age | G | GS | IP | ERA | FIP | DIPS | SO/9 | BB/9 | H/9 | HR/9 |
| Cobb, Alex | 20.9 | 25 | 25 | 139.2 | 3.29 | 4.40 | 4.16 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 7.3 | 1.0 |
| Darcy, Jesse | 23.2 | 29 | 19 | 133.0 | 3.05 | 3.42 | 3.36 | 6.6 | 1.0 | 8.4 | 0.8 |
| Flores, Brian | 23.7 | 29 | 21 | 118.0 | 4.19 | 3.96 | 3.91 | 5.9 | 3.4 | 9.1 | 0.5 |
| Ragan, Jason | 25.7 | 24 | 22 | 108.0 | 4.33 | 4.66 | 4.51 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 11.3 | 1.3 |
| Hall, Jeremy | 24.9 | 21 | 19 | 105.1 | 4.61 | 3.75 | 3.65 | 7.1 | 2.8 | 9.3 | 0.7 |
| Johnson, Joshua | 23.9 | 28 | 13 | 87.0 | 5.79 | 4.74 | 4.41 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 10.3 | 0.9 |
| Boggan, Kevin | 23.3 | 36 | 0 | 72.2 | 3.10 | 3.86 | 3.86 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 8.7 | 1.0 |
| Garcia, Justin | 21.7 | 41 | 0 | 72.1 | 2.49 | 2.72 | 2.71 | 9.7 | 2.5 | 5.1 | 0.5 |
| Mejias, Jose | 23.0 | 34 | 0 | 59.0 | 4.73 | 5.25 | 5.04 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 9.0 | 1.1 |
| Baird, John | 22.3 | 28 | 4 | 57.0 | 7.26 | 4.59 | 4.27 | 9.0 | 4.6 | 11.8 | 1.1 |
| Risser, Travis | 23.7 | 34 | 0 | 54.0 | 3.17 | 3.48 | 3.43 | 7.5 | 3.2 | 9.3 | 0.5 |
| Hinkle, Austin | 22.3 | 33 | 0 | 46.2 | 2.51 | 2.24 | 2.29 | 12.9 | 3.7 | 6.2 | 0.4 |
| Barnett, Travis | 24.9 | 18 | 0 | 31.0 | 7.55 | 4.49 | 4.21 | 8.1 | 4.6 | 10.2 | 0.9 |
| Fines, Woods | 23.0 | 6 | 4 | 19.2 | 7.32 | 4.83 | 4.84 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 10.5 | 0.9 |
