Tampa Bay Rays: Way Too Early Roster Prediction

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 2: Second baseman Brandon Lowe #35 ducks out of the way as shortstop Willy Adames #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws out Yonder Alonso #17 of the Cleveland Indians for a double play to end the seventh inning at Progressive Field on September 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Shortstop (1):

Willy Adames, RHH, 23

“The kid” will look to build on his promising 2018 rookie campaign in 2019. Willy Adames will enter the season as the uncontested every day shortstop of the present and future of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Adames struggled early in 2018 as he and Hechavarria battled for playing time, but as soon as the Rays handed the reigns over to Adames, he gave Rays fans what they had been waiting for ever since the David Price trade.

In 85 games, the young shortstop hit 10 homers and drove in 34 while hitting .278. He finished the year with an OPS+ of 109 and left Rays fans excited for what next year could hold. I expect big things out of Adames next year and the years to come after that.