Overall in 2012, the Biscuits went 74-63 under Billy Gardner, the best record they had managed since Gardner’s first year at the helm in 2007. As a team, they managed a .261/.342/.388 line (.729 OPS), which doesn’t seem so impressive (especially the lack of power) until you realize that the league OPS was just .709 so the Biscuits’ team mark ranked second in the 10-team league. The Biscuits were just in the middle of the pack in terms of home runs, doubles, and walks, but they led the league in triples, stolen bases, fewest strikeouts, and most importantly batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored. The Biscuits were not a group of sluggers by any stretch- just two players hit two home runs- but they made contact, got on base, and burned the opposition with their speed.

On the pitching side, the Biscuits were not very impressive, managing just a 4.00 ERA compared to the 3.85 league average, a mark that was just 8th in the league. Their 7.5 K/9 and 0.7 HR/9 were exactly league average, but their 4.2 BB/9 and 568 walks were second in the league. How did the Biscuits manage a playoff berth despite that? Excellent defense was a major part of that. Their .979 fielding percentage was third in the league, but the most impressive thing was the work of the catchers, who threw out 43% of attempted basestealers, by far the most in the league, and allowed just 7 passed balls, the second fewest. Speaking of the catchers, we’ll start with them as we begin our analysis of the individual players on the 2012 Biscuits.

Catchers

The perception is that the Rays don’t have any real catching prospects anywhere near the major leagues. That may not be entirely true- they have one, Mark Thomas. Thomas, who will turn 25 in May, was a 22nd round pick back in 2006, signing for an above-slot $125,000 bonus. Since the moment Thomas made his pro debut, Thomas has stood out for his defense behind the plate. Thomas features a quick release and a strong arm, leading to a 41% career caught stealing percentage and a 46% mark in 2012, and his receiving ability has improved significantly the past several years, dropping from 23 passed balls in 2008 to 12 in 2010 to just 2 in 2012. He’s durable but a little more athletic than your typical catcher at 6’1″, 180, and he might have Gold Glove potential if he hits enough to be a starting catcher. So, will he hit enough? Well, in 2012 Thomas had a decent offensive season for the Biscuits, managing a .254/.323/.383 line (basically exactly league average) with 19 doubles, 5 homers, 42 RBI, 4 of 4 stolen bases, and a 78-29 strikeout to walk ratio in 93 games and 349 plate appearances. Thomas has shown flashes of power in the past, slamming 13 homers at High-A in 2011, but he struggles with pitch recognition especially against right-handed pitching, off whom he managed just a .228/.291/.325 line compared to an incredible .305/.383/.495 mark versus lefties. Thomas features average bat speed and a patient approach against hitters from both sides, but he hasn’t done a good job picking up more advanced breaking pitches from right-handed pitchers. Thomas has a major league future, but whether he becomes a more athletic Jose Molina-esque backup or a starter depends on whether he can become passable against righty pitchers. Especially with backup catching depth at the major league level in the form of Chris Gimenez, Jose Lobaton, and Robinson Chirinos behind Molina, the Rays will give Thomas all the time he needs to prove himself at the plate and mold himself into their catcher of the future almost by default. That the Rays invited Thomas to their big league camp for spring training tells you just how highly they regard him. The Rays can’t get enough of Thomas’ defense and hope that it’s only a matter of time before his offense comes together as well.

Even organizational players can have career-years. Look no further than Mayo Acosta. Acosta, a Venezuelan signee who turned 25 in November, wasn’t anything special at all at the plate from 2007 to 2011, managing just a .243/.311/.364 line in 1065 plate appearances, none above High-A. But in 2012, Acosta mashed at High-A to begin the year, managing an .860 OPS with 8 doubles, 3 homers, and 15 RBI in 22 games before being promoted to Triple-A Durham when injuries to the Rays raided the Bulls’ roster. Acosta wound up being sent down to Montgomery when the Bulls’ need was filled and wound up settling right in, spending from June until his season-ending broken ankle on August 26th as Thomas’ backup catcher. On the year, Acosta managed a .261/.341/.484 line with 14 doubles, 9 homers, 30 RBI, and a 41-22 strikeout to walk ratio in 61 games and 214 plate appearances. The 9 homers were a career-high despite the fact that Acosta received over 100 more plate appearances in 2010 and 2011. Acosta, who is 6’1″, 205, stood out after signing with the Rays for his raw power and arm strength, but was never able to bring his power out on a consistent basis. Acosta’s plate discipline was really the same as always in 2012- his 1.86 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio was not very far from his 2.06 to 1 career mark- but he focused more on getting lift in his swing and was able to hit for significantly more power in the process. Acosta will still have to prove that his plate discipline is good enough for him to continue making quality contact at higher levels. Defensively, Acosta’s arm strength is very good- he has a 41% career caught stealing percentage- but he has very been a consistent receiver and has trouble blocking balls in the dirt at times. Acosta still is very unproven and he’s going to have to continue to prove himself in order to be regarded as any sort of prospect. Acosta will either spend 2013 as Thomas’ backup at Durham or maybe even as Montgomery’s starting catcher for next season.

We’ll stop here for today and continue with the Biscuits’ infielders, most notably Hak-Ju Lee, in our next installment of this series. The Rays really don’t have very many catching prospects, but Thomas is about as good as you’ll find and the Rays are hoping that he can break out offensively to pair with his great defense and give them their first homegrown starting catcher since the forgettableToby Hall. Both Thomas and Acosta gave the Rays optimism for the future of the catcher position in their organization, and they’re hoping that the catcher black hole that has plagued their organization basically every year of their organization except Dioner Navarro‘s All-Star season in 2008 is not far from coming to an end.

For more of our analysis of the Rays prospects at each level of their system, check out our Minor League Affiliates Analysis page here at RCG.

The minor leagues worked a lot of overtime on Saturday, with a double header and three extra inning games. Here is today’s look around the action last night:

Toledo Mud Hens 7, Durham Bulls 2 (Game One)

In the resumption of last night’s suspended game, the Toledo Mud Hens were ready. Tied 1-1 with two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, new pitcher Brandon Gomes walked the first batter he faced before escaping the damage. Toledo poured on the offense in the fifth inning, scoring five times, highlighted by Justin Henry‘s two run double and Jerad Head‘s two run home run. The Bulls got a run in the top of the ninth, as Cole Figueroa drove in Reid Brignac with an RBI single, but it was not enough as Durham fell 7-2. Gomes allowed 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks over 1.1 innings. Tim Beckham was 2-5 with a run scored in the loss.

Toledo Mud Hens 4, Durham Bulls 2 (Game Two, seven innings)

Durham jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the second, as Will Rhymes hit a two run home run with two outs. Immediately after the home run, Toledo starter Drew Smyly hit Nevin Ashely with a pitch, leading to Smyly and Toledo manager Phil Nevin to be ejected from the game. The Mud Hens came back in the bottom of the fourth, putting runners on first and second with two out. Danny Worth hit a ground rule double, plating a run and moving Danny Dorn to third. Dorn the scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 2-2. Toledo took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, as Ben Guez hit a two run triple, putting the Mud Hens ahead 4-2. In the top of the seventh, Toledo had two more ejections, as Bruce Rondon and pitching coach A.J. Sager were tossed from the game. Adam Liberatore took the loss, giving up 2 earned runs on 3 hits in an inning of work.

Montgomery Biscuits 4, Jackson Generals 3

Scoreless into the bottom of the fourth inning, Montgomery put two runners on with consecutive two out walks. Mayo Acosta followed up with a two run double, putting the Biscuits ahead 2-0. The Biscuits put another run on the board with Ty Morrison‘s RBI groundout in the fifth, putting the lead to 3-0. The Generals came back in the top of the seventh, as Francisco Martinez hit a two run double, trimming the lead to 3-2. Jackson completed the comeback in the top of the eighth, as Leury Bonilla‘s sacrifice fly drove in Rich Poythress with the tying run. In the bottom of the ninth, Mikie Mahtook led off the inning with a single. Derek Dietrich walked, putting runners on first and second. After a force out, Jonathan Arias uncorked a wild pitch, moving the runners to second and third. Following an intentional walk, Brett Nommensen grounded into a force out at second, scoring Dietrich with the winning run. Chris Rearick picked up the win, giving up an unearned run on 1 hit with 1 strikeout over 2.2 innings of work.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 2, Jupiter Hammerheads 1 (13 innings)

The Hammerheads scored first, with Aaron Dudley‘s sacrifice fly driving in Mark Canha to give Jupiter an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The score remained 1-0 into the bottom of the sixth, when Todd Glaesmann hit a solo home run with one out to tie the game. Despite several scoring chances on both sides, the game remained tied 1-1 until the bottom of the 13th inning. Robbie Price led off the inning with a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Cody Rogers then had an infield hit to the mound, where pitcher Patrick Merkling had a throwing error, allowing Price to score from second. Victor Mateo had an excellent start for Charlotte, giving up 1 run on 5 hits and a walk, striking out 5 in 8 innings. Chris Andujar picked up the victory, allowing 1 hit in his inning of work. Price finished 3-5 with a run scored.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 2, West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (15 innings)

The Hot Rods scored in the top of the first inning, as Ryan Brett singled, and eventually scored on Jeff Malm‘s sacrifice fly. West Michigan tied the game in the bottom of the third, as Joshua Sale‘s throwing error following a Eugenio Suarez base hit allowed Carlos De Los Santos to score. Bowling Green looked as though they were going to take the lead back in the top of the fourth, with runners on first and third with no outs. However, a ground ball to the mound cut down Cameron Seitzer as he attempted to score from third, and two groundouts ended the threat. Although there were scoring chances for both teams, the game remained tied at one until the top of the fifteenth inning. Jake Hager reached on an error, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a base hit by Taylor Motter, giving Bowling Green a 2-1 win. Justin Woodall picked up the victory, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk over 5 innings of relief, striking out 5 batters. Five Hot Rods players had two hits each in the marathon win.

Lowell Spinners 6, Hudson Valley Renegades 5 (13 innings)

The Spinners took advantage of three errors and a balk by the Renegades, eventually scoring a 6-5 victory in 13 innings. Lowell kicked off the scoring in the top of the first, as Mike Miller reached on an error, and came around to score on Dreily Guerrero‘s single. Lowell loaded the bases with no out in the top of the second, scoring a run on a double play. The Renegades got on the board in the bottom of the inning, as Ryan Dunn doubled on a popup to second, reached third on a throwing error, and came around to score on a groundout. Hudson Valley took the lead in the bottom of the third, as Luke Maile had an RBI single, and Dunn drove in a run with a groundout. The Renegades and the Spinners each traded runs in the sixth and seventh innings, before Lowell tied the game in the top of the eighth as Matthew Marquis scored on Miller’s RBI single. The game went into extra innings, where the Renegades loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the tenth, but Joey Rickard grounded into a double play to end the threat. Deven Marrero homered in the top of the thirteenth, giving Lowell the eventual 6-5 victory. Brandon Henderson picked up the tough loss, allowing the 1 run on 3 hits in 4 innings of relief, while striking out 5 batters. Leonardo Reginatto was 3-6 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.

Greeneville Astros 6, Princeton Rays 5

Even though the Astros scored a run in the top of the third, the Rays came back to grab a 4-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh. Princeton scored twice in the bottom of the third, as James Harris tripled and scored on Brandon Martin‘s base hit. Martin came around to score, forced in on a bases loaded walk to Omar Navarez. The Rays put up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, as Navarez hit a two run double. Greeneville came back in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs highlighted by a two run home run from Ricky Gringas, taking the lead 5-4. The Astros put another run on the board when Terrell Joyce and Jean Batista had back to back singles, with Joyce scoring on an error by James Harris. Princeton threatened to come back in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on second and third with no one out. However, Andrew Toles grounded into a double play, scoring a run, but effectively ending the threat as Princeton fell 6-5. Jacob Faira took the loss, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 2 in 3.1 innings. Martin was 2-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in the loss.

GCL Rays 4, GCL Orioles 1 (6 innings)

The Rays jumped out to an early lead, and cruised to the 4-1 victory in a shortened game. With two out in the bottom of the second, Johnny Eierman and Leopoldo Correa executed a double steal, with Eierman scoring on an error by the Orioles’ third baseman. Correa came around to score on a single by Miguel Beltran. A double by Taylor Hawkins with two out in the bottom of the fifth drove in Douglas Duran and Beltran to give the Rays a 4-0 lead. The Orioles put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the sixth, scoring a run as Steel Russell hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Adrian Marin. Luis Cabrera picked up the victory in relief, giving up 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks over 3 innings, while striking out 3 batters. Beltran was 2-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

Nice to see Torra pitching well. (Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE)

Triple-A International League: Durham Bulls 6, Charlotte Knights (CHW) 0

Former Diamondback first round pick Matt Torra has had a frustrating 2012 season in the Rays organization. Maybe that is finally over. Torra pitched extremely well against the Knights, going 6 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and striking out 3 while walking 1. He forced an 8-5 groundout flyout ratio. Lefty John Gaub tossed 3 no-hit innings to close out this one, striking out 5 while walking 1. The story for the Bulls on offense was power, especially from unlikely sources. Cole Figueroa slammed his first homer for Durham and his 4th of the season, a second-inning 2-run shot. Mayo Acosta stayed blisterring hot, slamming his first homer for Durham, and Leslie Anderson also slammed his third homer of the year. Hideki Matsui also went 1 for 3 with a sac fly for the Bulls, who improved to 18-27 on the season.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 5, Birmingham Barons (CHW) 1

Where the heck did this come from? Rays left-handed pitching prospect Kyle Lobstein was a one-time recipient of a 1.5 million bonus as a second round pick. We haven’t seen much of the ability that prompted the Rays to give him such a bonus the past few years. Until Sunday. Lobstein turned in one of his best outings as a pro and his best outing of the season by a wide margin, going 8 innings allowing not a single run on 4 hits, striking out just 4 but walking just 1. His groundout to flyout ratio was an outstanding 12-4. Wow. Lobstein got his run support in this one from 2 for 5 days from Ty Morrison, Kyeong Kang, and Michael Sheridan, and Ryan Garko also went 1 for 4 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. The Biscuits went over .500 at 23-22 of the season with the 3rd win in 4 games.

High-A Florida State League: Tampa Yankees 3, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2

The Stone Crabs were down 2-0 after 1 and got 3-hit in this game. Yet somehow they hanged with the Yankees all game. What a win it could have been. The Yankees tagged Enny Romero for 2 runs in the first innings on a Tyson Blaser RBI double and a sac fly, but a Keith Castillo RBI double brought Charlotte within 2-1. Neither starter would allow another run. Sean Black went 5 innings for the Yankees, allowing 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 5 while walking none. Romero, meanwhile, allowed 2 runs in 6 innings on 4 hits, striking out 5 while walking 2. He forced a solid 7-4 groundout to flyout ratio. The Stone Crabs finally tied the game in the 7th inning with their third hit of the ballgame as Phil Wunderlich slammed his third home run of the season off of Tommy Kahnle. But Theron Geith, after tossing scoreless innings in the 7th and 8th. But in the bottom of the 9th, he allowed a walk-off single to Eduardo Sosa than scored Rob Segedin as the Yankees won 3-2. The Stone Crabs drop to 21-21 on the season.

Low-A Midwest League: Fort Wayne Tincaps (SDP) 2, Bowling Green Hot Rods

It’s always frustrating to lose in a 9th inning lead- especially when you lose in a walk-off. Juniel Querecuto had an RBI single in the third inning, the only run the Hot Rods would get in 5 innings against Colin Rea. But Ryan Carpenter was even better, tossing 5 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits and no walks while striking out 6. He also had a pickoff. Andrew Bellatti followed him up with 3 shutout innings to hand a 1-0 lead to Austin Hubbard. But Hubbard allowed a game-tying homer to Lee Orr and a walk-off single to Travis Whitmore as the Tincaps won 2-1. The Hot Rods fell to 24-20 on the year with the backbreaking loss. Josh Sale went 1 for 3 with a walk in the loss.