Tampa Bay Rays – Keeping Track of Vidal Brujan

The Tampa Bay Rays are developing yet another exciting second baseman in Vidal Brujan.  The Charlotte Stone Crabs prospect is turning heads.

Vidal Brujan had quite a game last night for Tampa Bay Rays’ affiliate Charlotte.  Brujan went 3 for 3 with two home runs, three stolen bases, four runs scored and five RBI.  That is a night that fills up a box score.  The Stone Crabs went on to beat Bradenton 8-3 in Bradenton.

The 20 year old middle infielder from the Dominican Republic got his start in the Rays organization as a 17 year old in the Dominican League. Since then, all he has done is hit.  And steal bases.  His minor league slash is .302/.392/.428 to go along with 101 stolen bases in 288 games.  Clearly, these are numbers from a player that needs to be watched.

The Rays, clearly, are stacked in the middle infield.  Willy Adames would seem like a firm plant at shortstop for years to come.  And, the names that can be tossed out at second seems to be a mountain of talent at all levels of the organization.  When you consider rookies Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe are already doing it with Tampa Bay, the path is either blocked or competition is about to get interesting.

Aside from Wendle and Lowe, Brujan also has top prospect Nick Solak ahead of him.  Solak was acquired in the Steven Souza, Jr. trade in the off-season and has gone on to hit .282 with 18 home runs and 71 RBI in Montgomery.  But, it’s clear the Rays may have a different path for Solak, as he has split time between second base and the outfield, playing an equally split 56 games a piece in each place.

In Durham, Kean Wong has been the steady hand at second.  His .292 batting average and nine home runs are not eye-popping, but his first full season at the AAA-level has gone well.  He, too, is being tested for his versatility as he has also spent time at third base and the outfield this season for the Bulls.

Carl Chester:  Not to be lost in the shuffle

Last night’s headlines were seized by Vidal Brujan’s prolific game.  But, not to be lost in the numbers game is outfielder Carl Chester.  Playing just his second game for high-A Charlotte after being promoted from Bowling Green, Chester went 4 for 4 last night with a home run.  Chester is a 2017 12th round draft pick out of Miami, hitting .300  while touching both short season Rookie League teams as well Bowling Green and now Charlotte in not quite two seasons.