2018 Minor League Review: DSL Rays 2

The Tampa Bay Rays have not one, but two teams in the Dominican Summer League. Both teams had a successful 2018, combining for 95 wins and a league championship. DSL Rays 2, may not have won a championship, but they were successful nonetheless.

The Tampa Bay Rays second Dominican Summer League team, Rays 2 finished 2018 with a 44-27 record. A more offensive team compared to Rays 1, they finished 6th in the Dominican Summer League with a team average of .257, and 9th with 28 homers.

On the mound, Rays 2 were less successful finishing near the bottom of the league with a team earned run average of 4.35, compared to their counterparts, Rays 1, who led the league in ERA (2.64). Rays 2 also finished close to the bottom of the league in strikeouts.

At the plate, 17 year old catcher Edgardo Rodriguez led the way. Edgardo, who turns 18 in a matter of days led the team in a number of statistical categories. The right handed hitter led Rays 2 with a .330 average, 6 homers, and a slugging percentage of .492.

Abiezel Ramirez, a native of the Dominican Republic, had a good year at the plate too. In a much improved sophomore season in the DSL, the 18 year old walked more times than he struck out, stole 27 bases and hit .291. A pretty impressive year at the plate.

Like Ramirez, Alberto Figuereo also had an impressive offensive year. In his first season in the Dominican Summer League, the 18 year old hit .282 and with 32 walks and 36 strikeouts. Even more impressive than his plate discipline was his speed, as Figuereo swiped 36 of 39 bases.

On the mound, Dauris Cordero had an impressive year leading Rays 2 in innings pitched (63.2), games started (13), and strikeouts (47). The 2018 season was Cordero’s third in the summer league, and was by far his most impressive.

Other notable pitching performances include the seasons of Emilio Alfonzo and Luis Trinidad. Alfonzo posted a 2.82 earned run average across 11 starts, striking out 45 in 51 innings pitched. The 18 year old finished his second season in the DSL as a starter after a very promising 2017 in which he was reliever. It will be interesting to see what route they choose for Alfonzo to take in 2019.

Luis Trinidad also had an impressive 2018. The 20 year old reliever spent time with both Rays 1 and 2 this season. With Rays 2, he made 17 appearances and threw 25 innings. In those 25 innings, he held batters to an .110 opponents average and finished with an ERA of 2.52 and 29 strikeouts.

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It was a successful year for Rays 2 of the DSL. They had room to improve on the mound but hit rather well. The young catcher Edgardo Rodriguez showed great promise in 2018 and should be one to keep an eye on going forward.