Tampa Bay Rays: Looking for the Next Retired Number

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David Price (2008-2014)

Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft, David Price spent just one season in the minors before making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of the 2008 season.

He dominated at his three minor league stops, posting a 12-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.131 WHiP, striking out 109 batters against 32 walks in 109.2 innings. Price was called up in September by the Rays, and continued to dominate out of the bullpen, giving up just three earned runs in 14 innings. He allowed 13 baserunners on nine hits and four walks, striking out 13. He continued his excellent performance in the postseason, becoming a weapon in the Rays run to the World Series.

Afterwards, Price became a dominant force in the Rays rotation. While he struggled in his first full season in the majors, Price quickly overcame those issues. He ended up as a four time All Star with the Rays, winning the 2012 Cy Young award. That year, he led the American League with 20 wins and a 2.56 ERA, edging out Justin Verlander by four points for the award.

Overall, in his time with the Rays, Price posted an 82-47 record, with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.142 WHiP. In his 1143.2 innings, he struck out 1065 batters against 309 walks. Although he ranks second all time in wins, innings, and strikeouts, behind James Shields, Price has been the best pitcher in Rays history thus far. It may be some time before another pitcher approaches that same level of dominance.

Although Price is still active, and is likely to play for a few more years, he made quite the mark upon the Rays. When his career finally comes to an end, it may not be a surprise to see his number 14 immortalized.