The Rays made a flurry of roster moves over the weekend. Only one of them effects the Major League roster at this point, but looking at the future of the team they could have a huge impact as soon as September 2008.
David Price promoted from Class A to Class AA
We all knew it was coming and we had an idea that his start Saturday in Sarasota would be his last in the Florida State League. Turns out it was the right idea. Price was promoted to Class AA Montgomery after just six starts. Price was simply too good for the FSL league and it's time to see if he can handle the jump to a much tougher AA. Price was 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA in six starts for Vero Beach. He had a 37:7 K/BB ratio and just a .220 BAA. If Price makes 10-12 good starts at AA, could he join the Rays in Septemeber?
Jeremy Hellickson promoted from Class A to Class AA
Following in Price's footsteps was Jeremy Hellickson. A day and a start after Price's promotion, the 21 year old right hander, was also promoted to Montgomery after dominating the FSL at Vero Beach. If you haven't been following Hellickson, first, shame on you and second, you better start now. Hellickson's frame and delivery are almost a mirror image of Scott Kazmir and his command is through the roof. Hellickson brings a record of 7-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 83:5, yes, FIVE walks in just 76.2 innings. That is good for a 16.6:1 K/BB rate. Hellickson has been handled very carefully by the Rays, but the FSL league was doing nothing for Hellickson. I expect him to stay at the AA level for the rest of the year.
Jake McGee injured
Instead of boasting a rotation of Wade Davis, Jake McGee, David Price. Jeremy Hellickson and James Houser, the Montgomery Biscuits will have to do with out McGee for a while. McGee left his latest start with "forearm soreness" after just two innings and 38 pitches. From the Montgomery Advertiser
"When we realized it was sore, we had to get him out," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said. "We'll have to wait and see how he feels."
"I'm not in a rush to get back," McGee said. "I want it to heal 100 percent."
Justin Ruggiano Optioned to Triple A; Ben Zobrist recalled
As a Ruggiano fan, I'm sad to see Justin's latest run with the team end. However, it was inevitable with Carlos Pena's hand healing and now the team needing a middle IF for a few games. Ruggiano hit .316 in this latest callup including his first big league HR on Saturday. Aki Iwamura will serve his suspension soon and Jason Bartlett is expected to miss a game or two with the birth of his first child some time this week so Zobrist's versitility as a utility IF is of importance this week.
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