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Tampa Bay Rays: 3 hitters who will make their debut in 2019

By Austin Reimann
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Nate Lowe #35 of the Tampa Bay Rays and the U.S. Team plays first base against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Nate Lowe #35 of the Tampa Bay Rays and the U.S. Team plays first base against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 17: Joe McCarthy #61 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during photo day on February 17, 2019 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 17: Joe McCarthy #61 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during photo day on February 17, 2019 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

#2: Joe McCarthy, 25, LHH

McCarthy was a player who I thought would compete with Guillermo Heredia for an Opening Day roster spot will likely see time in the Major Leagues at some point this year. Joe McCarthy, a former 5th round pick out of the University of Virginia, is ready. In fact, Baseball America ranked him the Tampa Bay Rays 24th best prospect and said this about the left-handed hitter, “He’s ready for a callup whenever the Rays need a useful corner bat.”

2018 numbers at Durham:

47 G // .269/.377/.515 // 8 HR // 25 HR

Staying healthy is an issue for McCarthy who has battled back issue dating back to his college days. If he can avoid the injury bug in 2019, he will likely be the first to get a call if any of the outfielders go down with an injury. Unlike Wong, McCarthy is on the 40 man roster which makes it all the more likely that he will likely see time in Tampa Bay this season. Similar to Wong, he may also be used as a trade chip at the deadline if the Rays opt to buy. Either way, I believe that he will make his debut in 2019.

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