Tampa Bay Rays: Revisiting and Analyzing the 2018 draft

3 of 5

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA – AUGUST 25: Baseballs sit on the ledge during the South Korea and Japan game during the International Championship game of the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium on August 25, 2018 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Rays doubled down on pitching in the middle rounds and may have struck gold with a pair of mid round selections.

Rounds 11-20

Number of picks: 10
Picks signed: 10
Pitchers: 6 (2 LHP/ 4 RHP)
Position Players: 4 (1B/2B/OF/C)
4 year: 9
2 year: 0
High School: 1

The Tampa Bay Rays covered all of their bases in the middle rounds, drafting and signing pitchers, a catcher, 2 infielders, and an outfielder. While none of the players necessarily standout as potential impact players at the major league level, the Rays may have stumbled upon a pair of impressive arms.

Best Player: Simon Rosenblum-Larson, RHP, 19th Rd., 570th overall

Picked in the 19th round of the 2018 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, Simon Rosenblum-Larson has done nothing but dominate minor league hitters since joining the professional ranks. The Harvard product has pitched across three different levels since being drafted, making appearances at Hudson Valley, Bowling Green, and most recently Port Charlotte this season.

Across 53.2 career innings, Rosenblum-Larson has struck out 85 batters en route to a stellar 1.34 ERA. He has held opponents to a .194 average and has posted a .86 WHIP. His 14.25 K/9 rate is impressive and could help him rise through the ranks quickly.

Most Interesting Player: Trey Cumbie, LHP, 13th Rd., 390th overall

Similar to Rosenblum-Larson, Trey Cumbie has posted huge strikeout numbers early on in his professional career. Across 59.2 IP, the southpaw has struck out 88 batters which is good for a 13.27 K/9. The exciting part about Cumbie is that after moving up from Hudson Valley to Bowling Green, his K/9 rate increased by nearly 3 strikeouts. He does have some control issues which could be his downfall, but he is definitely a name to keep an eye on.