Rays Dirty Dozen: SP Depth Leads Rays into 2016

Oct 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (30) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

RHP Erasmo Ramirez – 25 years old

When the Rays traded Mike Montgomery for Ramirez, they likely never envisioned needing over 160 innings from him in 2015, but that’s what they got. He was a welcomed addition to a rotation that needed innings eaten after losing so many arms to injury. Now on pace to reach over 180 innings in 2016, the young Ramirez will look to continue exceeding expectations.

It’s hard to believe that Ramirez was able to almost match the win total put up by Archer (11 to 13), but with his 6 IP per start average he always put himself in a position to earn the win. Steamer has his WAR pegged at 1.3 for 2016 after he achieved a 2.4 WAR rating in 2015. The clear innings eating workhorse at the back of the rotation, Ramirez is a very important piece to the rotation for 2016.

Next: The oh-so-talented LHP is at #5