In this article, we will look at the stats on the season for each player who spent the bulk of their minor league team in 2012 with the GCL Rays and also talk a little bit about each player’s abilities. Some of these players could be ranked among the Rays’ top prospects next season, while others may not but could still be worth watching as they are just so young and several of them have raw potential still waiting for them to tap into. Let’s begin.

Position Players

Overall, the GCL Rays were not a good hitting team. They hit just 7 home runs in 60 games, fewest in the league, and finished 3rd from the bottom in doubles. Their 20 triples were second in the league, but they were unable to utilize their speed well on the basepaths, stealing just 56 bases, 9th in the 15-team league, while being caught 35 times, 3rd-most. Overall, their batting line was .238/.304/.309 compared to the average of .242/.318/.338. The GCL is a notorious pitchers league, but GCL Rays hitters had an especially tough time. Let’s break down the performances position by position.

Catcher

Armando Araiza, a 19 year old signee out of Mexico, saw the bulk of the starts for the GCL Rays at catcher and played pretty well. He posted a .283/.347/.349 line in 34 games and 124 plate appearances with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBI, and 22 strikeouts versus 11 walks. Defensively, he posted just a .983 fielding percentage in 32 games but did throw out 35% of attempted basestealers. Araiza didn’t show any power this season, but he shows some nice bat speed, hitting balls hard although mostly for line drive singles, and he has nice patience for a player his age. Defensively, he stands out more because of above-average arm strength, although he still needs quite a bit of work on his receiving and blocking balls in the dirt. Araiza has some potential and we’ll have to see how his game progresses in coming years.

Wilmer Dominguez, a 22 year old Venzuelan signee, took 3 years to get out of the Venezuelan Summer League and struggled overall in the GCL in 2012. He did hit .275 in 25 games, but he managed just 2 extra-base hits, a double and a triple, and struck out 17 times versus just 1 walk on his way to a .275/.284/.313 line in 81 plate appearances. Defensively, Dominguez did amazingly throw out 8 of 12 attempted basestealers in 14 games at catcher, showing off his very good arm strength, but his receiving ability was really off the mark and Dominguez saw time at first base and both corner outfield positions as well. Dominguez is a free-swinger without much power, but we’ll have to see how far his one potential plus tool, his arm strength, takes him moving forward.

Taylor Hawkins, 18, was the Rays’ 12 round pick in 2012, signing for a well above-slot $272,500 bonus. Hawkins struggled mightily in his brief pro debut with the GCL Rays, posting just a .182/.211/.218 line in 16 games and 59 plate appearances. He hit 2 doubles and drove in 5, but he struck out 24 times versus just 2 walks. Defensively, Hawkins needs a lot of work as well as he managed a .982 fielding percentage with just a 20% caught stealing rate, allowing 5 passed balls in just 14 games. As we talked about when Hawkins was drafted, Hawkins features big-time power and also strong arm strength behind the plate, but the rest of his game could take a while to come together. Hawkins’ power and overall hitting ability is limited quite a bit by his lack of plate discipline at this point and also the fact that his swing gets long at times. Defensively, Hawkins’ receiving ability and ability to block balls in the dirt is a long way away, and he also needs work on his transfers on stolen base attempts to utilize his arm strength more fully. Hawkins is talented, but we see from his pro debut that he’s going to be a project.

Infielders

Miguel Beltran, a 22 year old first baseman, was the Rays’ 19th round pick in 2012 and showed improved plate discipline from his original scouting report as a member of the GCL Rays, but little else. In 25 games and 87 plate appearances, the big 6’3″, 225 Beltran managed just a .176/.289/.176, with all 13 of his hits being singles, although he did drive in 6. The good news was that his strikeout to walk ratio was a decent 17-9, but he couldn’t hit anything with authority. Defensively, Beltran made just 1 error at first base, but he’s going to have to hit and he didn’t do that in his pro debut. Beltran is a player with plus raw power but he has to find a way to shorten his swing enough to use it in games.

Cesar Perez, a 19 year old corner infielder, was a high-profile Venezuelan signee by the Rays back in 2009, signing for 1 million dollars and reporting to the GCL Rays for his first pro season back in 2010. Now in his third tour of duty in the GCL, Perez still hasn’t lived up to expectations. This year, he has managed just a .175/.230/.233 line with 6 doubles and 12 RBI, striking out 27 versus just 8 walks. Defensively, Perez’s fielding percentage has been a horrific .970 in 18 games at first base and a just-as-bad .891 in 16 games at third base. Perez is still pretty young, but the big-time power he was supposed to have has never shown up and his game has not come together in the slightest bit.

Kline was the GCL Rays' best hitter and continues to hit at Low-A Bowling Green. (Credit: Flickr user spomer_turtle)

Ben Kline, 23, was the Rays’ 32nd round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and the Rays have to have liked what they saw from him in the GCL. Kline posted an outstanding .347/.393/.419 line with 6 doubles, 1 homer, 16 RBI, 10 of 15 stolen bases, and 15 strikeouts versus 7 walks in 36 games and 135 plate appearances in the GCL. Kline did that even while playing a multitude of different positions, seeing time at first base (9 games), shortstop (9 games), second base (8 games), third base (7 games) and left field (5 games). Kline did not make a single error at first, second, or short. Kline is a natural shortstop, but the presence of 2012 second round pick Spencer Edwards (see below) on the GCL Rays’ roster sent him all over the place. However, Kline lived up to the challenge and even earned a spot on the 2012 GCL All-Star team- as a first baseman. Kline has since moved on to Low-A Bowling Green, going 6 for 13 in his first 3 games with the team. Kline stands out for his line drive stroke, his speed, and his all-around athleticism out of a 6’3″, 200 frame. His power had been almost non-existent for a couple of years now and his patience is still really lacking, but he fits a utility role well if he can continue to hit as he’s athletic enough to slot all over the field.

Ryan McChesney, 22, was an undrafted free agent signee of the Rays this season. He appeared in 17 games for the GCL Rays, posting a .205/.333/.250 line in 54 plate appearances with 2 doubles and 3 RBI while playing first base (9 games) and catcher (3 games) and struggling at both positions. The one good thing with McChesney was that he walked 9 times verus just 7 strikeouts. McChesney’s plate discipline is good, but he has a very poor arm for the catcher position and won’t hit nearly enough to stick at first base.

Adderly Rosa, who turned 21 in July, was signed as a free agent out of the Dominican back in 2008. In his first US season following 3 in the Dominican Summer League, Rosa has struggled offensively, managing just a .228/.286/.276 line with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. He has posted a decent 22-10 strikeout to walk ratio. Defensively is where Rosa has really stood out as his .965 fielding percentage in 36 games at second base is excellent for such a young player and he also saw time at third base (4 games) and first base (1 game). Rosa’s glove is good, and he also shows nice speed- although he can’t use it on the basepaths yet- but he’s going to have to find a way to hit the ball with some authority.

Douglas Duran, 19, was a Venezuelan signee by the Rays back in 2010. Duran posted a .164/.268/.182 line in 40 games and 131 plate appearances for the GCL Rays with 2 doubles, 8 RBI, 4 stolen bases, and a 34-16 strikeout to walk ratio. Defensively, Duran was good considering his age in 22 games at shortstop, posting a .942 fielding percentage, and he was great at second base, making just 1 error in 19 games for a .986 fielding percentage. Duran is fast, draws his walks, and is promising defensively, but he has trouble making contact and doesn’t hit the ball very hard when he does.

Leopoldo Correa, 20, was another Venezuelan signee, in his case back in 2008. Correa was one of the best hitters on this extremely weak-hitting GCL Rays team, posting a .256/.336/.314 line in 39 games and 139 plate appearances with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 7 RBI, and 29 strikeouts against 15 walks. Defensively, Correa posted a decent .935 fielding percentage at third base. Correa does not profile well at third base at all, but he shows solid bat speed, plate discipline, and fair defensive ability.

And we close out Part 1 of this post by talking about Rays 2012 second round pick Spencer Edwards, a 19 year old shortstop. Edwards did not see his pro debut go as well as he would have hoped as he posted a .188/.250/.281 line with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer, 7 RBI, 8 of 12 stolen bases, and 42 strikeouts versus just 9 walks in 33 games and 141 plate appearances. He also struggled defensively at shortstop, posting just a .917 fielding percentage, although given his age that’s not too surprising. Edwards is still very talented. He’s extremely fast and has shown very good bat speed with power, but his approach at the plate is a complete work in progress. Edwards moves well and has a strong arm at shortstop, but his hands are not the best and he could be a better fit in centerfield. Edwards has a ton of raw ability but it could take a while for him to hone his skills and get onto the path of becoming the player the Rays know he can be.

That’s where we’ll stop for today and we’ll continue with the outfielders, the pitchers, and a general assessment of the team over the next few days.

Could a trade spring Archer back into a big league starting role? (Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE)

Triple-A International League: Durham Bulls 8, Norfolk Tides (BAL) 0

All smiles for the Bulls on Saturday. Chris Archer was on a pitch count as he returns from an oblique injury, but he made the 60 pitches count, going 4 innings allowing no runs on 1 hit, striking out 3 while walking 1. Nice to see Archer throwing the ball well. Ryan Reid followed with a perfect frame before Frank De Los Santos allowed a hit and a walk while striking out 3 in two more shutout innings. Brandon Gomes then was perfect in the 8th, and suddenly the Bulls had a 2-hit shuout going. Adam Liberatore allowed 2 hits in the 9th, but he kept the Tides off the board to nail down the shutout. The Bulls only needed 1 run to win on Saturday but got plenty more. Rich Thompson went 4 for 5 with a double, 2 RBI, and a run scored, and Henry Wrigley and Will Rhymes each went 2 for 4 with a double, with Wrigley driving in 1 and scoring twice and Rhymes driving in 2 and scoring once. The other news item was that Evan Longoria was scheduled to play in this game but did not go, but it turns out that he was just a little sore and will be back in the Bulls’ lineup on Sunday. Phew.

Double-A Southern League: Montgomery Biscuits 3, Jackson Generals (SEA) 2 (10 innings)

Mikie Mahtook came through in the clutch in his 5th game with the Biscuits to lead them to victory. Mahtook had an RBI double as part of a 2-run first inning for Montgomery to give starter Nick Barnese a little breathing room. Barnese went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 2, walking 2 as well, and posting a 7-4 groundout to flyout ratio. But Neil Schenk blew the lead in the 6th, and good bullpen work the rest of the way by both teams, including 4 strikeouts in 2 innings by Chris Rearick, send the game into extra innings. Mahtook made sure it didn’t go any longer with a sac fly in the 10th as the Biscuits won 3-2. Mahtook went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI, Shawn O’Malley went 2 for 4 with a run scored, and the dynamic duo of Hak-Ju Lee and Ty Morrison were at it again from the top of the lineup as Lee went 2 for 3 with a walk, his 34th stolen base of the year, and a run scored while Morrison went 3 for 4 with a double, his 15th steal with the Biscuits and 26th overall, and a run scored as well.

High-A Florida State League: Charlotte Stone Crabs 13, Dunedin Blue Jays 6

A huge 7th inning swayed this one as the Stone Crabs completely turned this one around. Braulio Lara had a tough start, going 4.1 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, striking out 6 while walking 2, and Alex Koronis allowed 2 more runs in 2.2 innings. Charlotte had led 4-0 after 1 inning but trailed 6-4 after 6. But everything changed in the 7th, as the Stone Crabs sent 14 batters in the plate as they tallied 9 runs, including a 3-run triple but Todd Glaesmann and a 2-run triple by Robby Price. Price and Glaesmann each went 2 for 5, with Price also hitting a double, driving in 4, and scoring twice, while Glaesmann simply drove in 3 and scoring once. Steven Tinoco also went 3 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored for Charlotte.

Low-A Midwest League: Bowling Green Hot Rods 4, West Michigan Whitecaps (DET) 2

Good pitching and 4 early runs were the difference for the Hot Rods in this one. Roberto Gomez and Felipe Rivero split the start for Bowling Green, but Gomez’s first 3 innings of the game were better than Rivero’s middle 3. Gomez allowed no runs on 2 hits, striking out 2 while walking 1 and posting a 5-1 groundout to flyout ratio, while Rivero allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in his three frames, striking out 1 while walking none although he did post a 4-1 groundout to flyout ratio. Jacob Partridge and Austin Hubbard tossed the final 3 innings scoreless for the Hot Rods. In terms of the offense, Alejandro Segovia went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI, Jeff Malm slammed a solo homer, Juniel Querecuto went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored, and Tyler Goeddel went 1 for 3 with a double and also scored a run.

Short Season-A New York-Penn League: Hudson Valley Renegades 5, Williamsport Crosscutters (PHI) 3

The Renegades and Crosscutters each tallied all their runs in just one half-inning, but luckily the Renegades’ outburst was bigger as they won 5-3. Jeff Ames got the start for Hudson Valley and went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, all in the 4th, on 4 hits, striking out 5 while walking none while posting a 5-3 groundout to flyout ratio. The Renegades scored 5 for Ames in the 5th, including RBI hits by Marty Gantt, Luke Maile, and Deshun Dixon, to take a 5-3 lead, and Jose Alberto Molina and Ryan Garton survived 4 walks in the final 4 frames to pitch shutout ball as the Renegades won 5-3. Gantt went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 walks, a stolen base, an RBI, and a run scored while Maile went 2 for 4 with a stolen base and an RBI.

Advanced Rookie Appalachian League: Princeton Rays 8, Bluefield Blue Jays 2]

Bruedlin Suero pitched well for the third straight time out and the P-Rays offense came up with some clutch hits as they won in a blowout. Suero went 6 innings allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits, striking out 4 while walking none. Suero has a 1.13 ERA in his last 3 starts after an 8.66 ERA in his previous 5. In termos of the offense, the P-Rays went 5 for 14 with runners in scoring position as they managed 8 runs despite just 9 hits, 8 of which were singles. Willie Argo went 3 for 4 with an RBI and 3 runs scored, Ariel Soriano had a double, the lone extra-base hit, and 2 RBI, and five other P-Rays drove in a run, including Oscar Hernandez, who went 1 for 3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored.

Rookie Gulf Coast League: GCL Rays 10, GCL Orioles 3

The Gulf Coast League is usually a very pitcher-friendly league. The league average ERA in the GCL entering Saturday was 3.58, with 2 teams, including the GCL Rays, posting ERAs under 3.00. (Despite their 2.58 team ERA, the GCL Rays entered Saturday at 16-19 thanks to the second-fewest runs scored in the league.) But there are always going to be outlier games, and this was one of them. Matthew Ramsey started for the Rookie Rays (sounds more catchy than GCL Rays) and allowed an unearned run as he works his way into shape following Tommy John Surgery. Jorge Rodriguez allowed just another unearned run over the next 4 innings despite allowing 7 hits, neither striking out nor walking a batter. He did post a great 8-1 groundout to flyout ratio. Alex Moshier tossed a perfect 7th before Kyle Pelchy allowed yet another unearned run in the 8th as he worked the final 2 innings. And now to the rare showing of offense. The top 4 of the Rookie Rays lineup had a crazy afternoon, going 9 for 18 with 2 doubles, 4 stolen bases, 5 RBI, and 7 runs scored. Ben Kline raised his average to .425 on the season in 73 at-bats, going 3 for 5 with 2 stolen bases, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. He’s been about the only Rookie Ray that has hit all season long, and that shows in his batting average. The GCL Rays were hitting .240 as a team entering Saturday. Take out Kline and they’re at .229. Bralin Jackson also went 2 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, 2 RBI, and a run scored, Spencer Edwards went 2 for 4 with a double, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored, and among the non-top 4 in the lineup, Jiminson Natera went 2 for 4 with a double, 2 RBI, and a runs scored. Other good news is that Rays 2012 12th round pick Taylor Hawkins finally got his first professional hit after starting 0 for 11. Congratulations to him, and hopefully it’s the first of many.

Does #Rays Friedman expect Longoria to play again this season? “Yeah, I definitely do… I’m confident that he will be back.” #MLB

— JB Long (@JB_Long) July 12, 2012

In other injury news, Matt Joyce is expected to return within two weeks while Sam Fuld should be back sooner, says Marc Topkin.

Confirming what we expected, the Rays signed 12th rounder Taylor Hawkins to an above-slot contract with $272,500, meaning the Rays will be deducted $172,500 from their draft pool because the contract was above the $100,000 limit for picks past the 10th round. That does not affect the Rays pursuit of first round selection Richie Shaffer, who is still expected to sign before the 5 PM EST deadline for 2012 draft picks to agree to contracts.

Rays 33rd round pick Luke Goodgion got an article in the Maple Valley Reporter for his journey from quitting baseball because of injury to getting drafted by the Rays. Also a little bit about his arsenal of pitches. It’s a good read.

Rays employee Brian Auld has founded a company called Egraphs along with his brother, and the venture is being financed in part by Rays owner Stu Sternberg. Egraphs will allow fans to get personalized messages and digital autographs from MLB players in exchange for a fee that will be $50 at the beginning and will eventually vary based on player popularity. More than 250 major league baseball players will be available for fans to choose over the next two months, and Egraphs expects more MLB players and players from the other major sports to sign on as well. So if you want David Price to wish you Happy Birthday, you will be able to do so in only a matter of time. Businessweek has all the details.

Before we get for what we all know you’re waiting for, a couple of stats to throw out there.

Interesting stat:Rays pitchers have never allowed a run in an All-Star Game.Price and Rodney extended the streak to 9 scoreless innings.

— Barry LeBrock (@BarryLeBrock) July 13, 2012

Not in a tweet, but this from Marc Topkin at the link above: the Rays have won 6 games when trailing heading into the 9th inning, most in baseball, and not a single of those wins has gone into extra-innings. That type of resilience is what has kept the Rays alive despite all the injuries they have suffered.

And now, Star Wars. The Tampa Bay Rays will be having Star Wars Day at the Trop on July 22nd, giving away Darth Vader (Tampa Bay) Rays shirts on a first-come first-serve basis, and fans sitting in the press-level seating area are encouraged to wear Star Wars attire and there will be a costume contest. If Star Wars is your thing and you’re within driving distance of the Trop, make sure to head to this game. Full details on the Rays’ official website.