Tampa Bay Rays: Pham wins, Loney’s comeback, Reyes added

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Close-up of a smiling James Loney being congratulated in the dugout.

BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 27: James Loney #21 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a solo home run in the second inning during a game two of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on June 27, 2014 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Former Rays 1st baseman, James Loney, is looking to make a comeback… as a two way player in the Independent League.

JJ Cooper of Baseball America tweeted this regarding the news:

The Atlantic League's Sugar Land Skeeters have signed 1B/LHP James Loney (not a typo). Plan is to have him pitch and hit as a two-way player for the Skeeters. Loney was considered by many scouts to be a better P prospect than hitter in HS (back in '02).
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) February 5, 2019

Loney, who last played in the major leagues in 2016 for the Mets spent 3 of his last 4 years in the Major Leagues in a Rays uniform. From 2013-2015, Loney appeared in 417 games. He hit .291/.337/.393 with 26 bombs and 176 runs batted in.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Loney is not only expected to hit and pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters but to also act as a player coach. He turns 35 in a matter of months and as MLBTR points out, hasn’t seriously worked on pitching since he was in high school.

As JJ Cooper pointed out, Loney was a talented 2-way player in high school and as a result was taken 19th overall by the Dodgers in 2002. Baseball America had this to say about his abilities on the mound:

"Loney also plays first base and has power in his bat, but most teams prefer him as a big, strong lefthander. He gets good arm-side run on an 88-93 mph fastball, and his breaking ball and changeup give him the chance to have three plus pitches. As his velocity increased this spring, Loney’s command wasn’t as good as usual, and he faltered a little down the stretch"