Sleepers: Tampa Bay Rays
By Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Matt Joyce – Outfield (LF/RF)
Why, oh why would the Detroit Tigers deal this left-handed potential power house when he was seemingly coming into his own? Especially when one of their issues throughout the 2008 season was the need for another left-handed bat in their line-up?
I understand all of the hype and love for the 25-year old Edwin Jackson that he was dealt for. However, thinking that Jackson will turn into anything more than a decent third rotation option is simple hype-machine madness. I get it, the potential just oozes out of his skin; but eventually, we will all see that this move will be chalked up as yet another miscue in the reign of Dave Dombrowski.
Back to Joyce…Yes, his .252 average makes you a bit uneasy in the stomach. Yes, the more men on base or in scoring position, the lower that that sub-standard average dipped. Yes, he strikes out at a 3.72AB/K ratio. So then why in the world would we be voicing our outrage towards Dombrowski for what seems to be a good move considering the Tigers pieced together rotation has more holes than A-Rods’ stories in his on-going fight to save his “image”? All Joyce has done is shown that he was built for Comerica’s vast outfield by showing monster extra base strength as more than 50% of his hits were for more than one bag (61H, 16-2B, 3-3B, 12-HR).
The strikeout ratio may be attributed to youth, as in his four seasons of minor league ball he had a much easier to swallow 4.75AB/K ratio. At 25, he was thrown into a line-up with immense talent and surrounded by great hitters, which will only help his development. He has a great glove and can play any outfield position, not to mention going to a much younger Tampa team will probably boost up his value even more.
His spring training debut was held up due to injury, which may affect his positioning on the opening day roster; however, with a pair of Gabes' in right-field (Kapler and Gross), and all-star Carl Crawford in left, Joyce may have to earn his keep in a limited role to start. Once given the opportunity though, we at WaiverSharks.com feel that this kid is for real. Keep a close eye on the Rays outfield situation, as Joyce may see regular action soon.
The Deep
Jeremy Hellickson – Starting Pitcher
This fourth-round pick from 2005 has been slowly meandering through the minor league ranks, and is now ready for a break-out. Hellickson is a very intriguing right-handed pitcher with pinpoint control, as expressed in his career K/BB ratio of 5.28/1. As with most of the Rays stockpile of young pitchers, they have been both patient, and willing to have him dominate year after year, as not to throw him to the wolves prior to being ready both mentally and physically. He may be en route to a full year of development at the AAA level in Durham to work on his apt to give up the long ball (15HR in 75.1IP in AA-Montgomery last season).
With an impressive four year record of 28-11, along with an ERA of 2.80, this 21-year old product of Hoover High (Des Moines, Iowa) still has some seasoning, as he looked out of place at times after dominating the lower levels of the minor league. That’s why a season in Durham may be required for him to work on his slider and change-up in getting it major league ready.
With a delivery similar to Brad Penny, but a frame more like Scott Kazmir, Hellickson more resembles a power pitcher and has the arsenal and goods to back it up. With a stable of primed young arms, and a cluster of 27-year olds, or younger starters, already taking the mound in Tampa (Shields-27, Kazmir-25, Garza-25, Sonnanstine-25, Price-23 and even Jeff Niemann-25), it appears that it may still be some time until Hellickson will get an honest shot.
The first few months of the 2009 season will be telling, as if he does well, he may be a valuable piece used as trade bait, because pending the position of the Rays, they may be active buyers when the dog days of summer arrive.
