http://www.outsidepitchmlb.com/a-look-at-the-tampa-bay-rays-potential-starting-pitchers/40343
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[h=1]A look at the Tampa Bay Rays’ potential starting pitchers[/h] Harris Yudin
<time class="updated" datetime="2015-12-20">December 20, 2015</time>
AL East, MLB, Tampa Bay Rays
</header> Starting pitching was the clear strong point of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015. They finished 11th in team earned run average and ninth in walks plus hits per inning pitched, despite David Price in a new uniform and Alex Cobb on the disabled list. With Cobb’s return looming and a strong farm system, the Rays have an abundance of potential starting pitchers. Here is a look at the top contender for 2016:
Chris Archer
Archer had a breakout season in 2015, emerging as the team’s new ace. His 3.23 ERA and 1.14 WHIP do not accurately reflect his dominance. Archer faltered down the stretch, which is understandable considering he threw over 200 innings for the first time in his career. His ERA remained under 3.00 all season until his second-to-last start. His strikeout numbers improved greatly, and his 252 punch-outs were the second most in the AL and the fourth most in MLB. Archer will continue to lead this formidable staff in 2016.
Jake Odorizzi
Like Archer, Odorizzi had a breakout season that was ruined by a poor finish. Odorizzi held a sub-3.00 ERA until mid-August, but finished the year at a respectable 3.35. Despite pitching in three fewer games, Odorizzi threw one more inning in 2015 than in 2014. He was able to go deeper into games, and at just 26 years old, he should be able to continue to mature on the mound. Odorizzi is a lock to maintain a starting job, but there is a chance is he traded. Jon Heyman reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in acquiring the right-hander.
Matt Moore
It’s always hard to know what to expect from a player coming off of Tommy John surgery, and unfortunately for Moore, it was the worst case scenario. In 63 innings pitched in 2015, he posted a horrid 5.43 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. These numbers could have come as a result of rushing back too quickly, but regardless, he is less of a sure bet than Archer and Odorizzi to pitch at a high level in 2016. There is understandable concern regarding his 10.7% career walk rate, but Moore has demonstrated the ability to strike hitters out with dominant stuff. If he is fully healthy and can get back on track, he will remain in the rotation all season.
Drew Smyly
Smyly has never had an ERA above 4.00, and he has lowered his ERA each year he has been a starter since coming into the league. He has solid strikeout numbers — 385 strikeouts in 395 career innings pitched — and great command of his four pitches. Smyly started just 12 games in 2015 due to a shoulder injury, but he made the most of his time on the mound, as five of his nine second-half starts went for one or fewer runs. A healthy Smyly should hold down a middle-of-the-rotation role throughout the season.
Erasmo Ramirez
After struggling mightily over the previous two seasons, Ramirez posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in his first year in Tampa Bay in 2015. He does not possess dominant strikeout stuff, but he has cut down on his walk rate tremendously since he began in the majors. The 2015 season may or may not have been a fluke for Ramirez, but at just 25 years old, there is reason to believe he can become a mainstay at the back of this talented and deep staff. He is essentially guaranteed a rotation spot to start the year, but performance, roster moves and the health of others will determine his future in Tampa Bay.
Alex Cobb
Cobb was sidelined for the entirety of 2015 after having Tommy John surgery, and isn’t expected back until at least May. While he obviously will not begin the year in the rotation, it’s all but certain that he will rejoin the staff whenever he is healthy. Cobb managed an ERA below 3.00 in each of the last two seasons in which he took the mound. He was rapidly developing into a legitimate ace, and that dominance should return when he does. Rumors swirled during the Winter Meetings about a deal that would send Cobb to the Chicago Cubs, but they never amounted to anything. The Rays have a decent five-man rotation without Cobb, but chances are good that one of the aforementioned pitchers — or even Cobb himself — will be traded by the time he returns from injury. Regardless, the 28-year-old will jump back to the top of the rotation upon his return– it’s just a question of who he replaces.
Colome and Snell are two young guys currently on the outside, looking in. Both are candidates to jump into the rotation in the event of an injury or trade regarding one of Tampa’s top starters. Colome started 13 games last season, allowing an opposing slash line of .277/.334/.428, which indicates he may be better suited for a long relief role. He is projected to begin the season in the ‘pen. Snell, the number two prospect in the Rays’ organization, is expected to start the season in the minors. He threw 46 consecutive scoreless innings to start the 2015 season, and has improved his command of his three pitches. The Rays should continue to be patient in developing Snell, who likely won’t make his major league debut until at least one pitcher is traded or hurt.
HomeAL East
<header id="cb-standard-featured">
[h=1]A look at the Tampa Bay Rays’ potential starting pitchers[/h] Harris Yudin
<time class="updated" datetime="2015-12-20">December 20, 2015</time>
AL East, MLB, Tampa Bay Rays
</header> Starting pitching was the clear strong point of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015. They finished 11th in team earned run average and ninth in walks plus hits per inning pitched, despite David Price in a new uniform and Alex Cobb on the disabled list. With Cobb’s return looming and a strong farm system, the Rays have an abundance of potential starting pitchers. Here is a look at the top contender for 2016:
Chris Archer
Archer had a breakout season in 2015, emerging as the team’s new ace. His 3.23 ERA and 1.14 WHIP do not accurately reflect his dominance. Archer faltered down the stretch, which is understandable considering he threw over 200 innings for the first time in his career. His ERA remained under 3.00 all season until his second-to-last start. His strikeout numbers improved greatly, and his 252 punch-outs were the second most in the AL and the fourth most in MLB. Archer will continue to lead this formidable staff in 2016.
Jake Odorizzi
Like Archer, Odorizzi had a breakout season that was ruined by a poor finish. Odorizzi held a sub-3.00 ERA until mid-August, but finished the year at a respectable 3.35. Despite pitching in three fewer games, Odorizzi threw one more inning in 2015 than in 2014. He was able to go deeper into games, and at just 26 years old, he should be able to continue to mature on the mound. Odorizzi is a lock to maintain a starting job, but there is a chance is he traded. Jon Heyman reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in acquiring the right-hander.
Matt Moore
It’s always hard to know what to expect from a player coming off of Tommy John surgery, and unfortunately for Moore, it was the worst case scenario. In 63 innings pitched in 2015, he posted a horrid 5.43 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. These numbers could have come as a result of rushing back too quickly, but regardless, he is less of a sure bet than Archer and Odorizzi to pitch at a high level in 2016. There is understandable concern regarding his 10.7% career walk rate, but Moore has demonstrated the ability to strike hitters out with dominant stuff. If he is fully healthy and can get back on track, he will remain in the rotation all season.
Drew Smyly
Smyly has never had an ERA above 4.00, and he has lowered his ERA each year he has been a starter since coming into the league. He has solid strikeout numbers — 385 strikeouts in 395 career innings pitched — and great command of his four pitches. Smyly started just 12 games in 2015 due to a shoulder injury, but he made the most of his time on the mound, as five of his nine second-half starts went for one or fewer runs. A healthy Smyly should hold down a middle-of-the-rotation role throughout the season.
Erasmo Ramirez
After struggling mightily over the previous two seasons, Ramirez posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in his first year in Tampa Bay in 2015. He does not possess dominant strikeout stuff, but he has cut down on his walk rate tremendously since he began in the majors. The 2015 season may or may not have been a fluke for Ramirez, but at just 25 years old, there is reason to believe he can become a mainstay at the back of this talented and deep staff. He is essentially guaranteed a rotation spot to start the year, but performance, roster moves and the health of others will determine his future in Tampa Bay.
Alex Cobb
Cobb was sidelined for the entirety of 2015 after having Tommy John surgery, and isn’t expected back until at least May. While he obviously will not begin the year in the rotation, it’s all but certain that he will rejoin the staff whenever he is healthy. Cobb managed an ERA below 3.00 in each of the last two seasons in which he took the mound. He was rapidly developing into a legitimate ace, and that dominance should return when he does. Rumors swirled during the Winter Meetings about a deal that would send Cobb to the Chicago Cubs, but they never amounted to anything. The Rays have a decent five-man rotation without Cobb, but chances are good that one of the aforementioned pitchers — or even Cobb himself — will be traded by the time he returns from injury. Regardless, the 28-year-old will jump back to the top of the rotation upon his return– it’s just a question of who he replaces.
Talks between #Rays and #Cubs about SP (Cobb in particular) not dead, but cooled considerably. Chicago working on much: SP/Heyward/etc
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
Alex Colome and Blake Snell— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
Colome and Snell are two young guys currently on the outside, looking in. Both are candidates to jump into the rotation in the event of an injury or trade regarding one of Tampa’s top starters. Colome started 13 games last season, allowing an opposing slash line of .277/.334/.428, which indicates he may be better suited for a long relief role. He is projected to begin the season in the ‘pen. Snell, the number two prospect in the Rays’ organization, is expected to start the season in the minors. He threw 46 consecutive scoreless innings to start the 2015 season, and has improved his command of his three pitches. The Rays should continue to be patient in developing Snell, who likely won’t make his major league debut until at least one pitcher is traded or hurt.
