Double-A Montgomery ace gets first start of spring training for the Rays

As usual, the Rays will be starting spring training with the non-roster pitchers to give them a strong look prior to the season. It's a Rays-esque move to always look ahead to the future of your organization and give them opportunities to prove themselves. Nothing has changed in 2026 as Kevin Cash has chosen a 2023 draft pick to start the first spring game against the Atlanta Braves.

Double-A starter TJ Nichols will get first start of spring training

The Rays are scheduled to face off against the Braves at 1:05 ET as they officially kick off spring training a day later than a few other teams. Kevin Cash has decided to give the first few innings of the contest to 23-year-old right-handed pitcher TJ Nichols.

Nichols is a product of the University of Arizona, and the Rays selected him in the 6th round of the 2023 draft. As an Arizona Wildcat, he displayed a healthy ability to strikeout opposing batters as he collected 202 punchouts in his three college seasons. This trend has continued into the minor leagues. After a difficult 2024 season that involved a nagging injury, Nichols went full throttle during the 2025 campaign. The young hurler was able to be promoted all the way to Double-A Montgomery as he went 14-3 and struck out 156 opponents between Bowling Green and Montgomery.

Even more impressively, Nichols went a perfect 4-0 with the Montgomery Biscuits and allowed only four runs in his 37 innings of work. Those are incredible numbers that have deservedly given him his first spring training invite and Grapefruit League start.

Obviously, these games don't count, but they are so important for non-roster players like TJ Nichols to prove themselves for the upcoming season. Other minor leaguers with a chance to take another step forward this spring include Trevor Martin, Ty Johnson, Austin Vernon, Logan Workman, and No. 85 overall prospect Brody Hopkins.

It's nearly impossible for these athletes to crack the MLB roster out of camp and it's also not likely that they'll receive the call this season, but it's going to be interested to keep an eye on these players to see how they develop. Their performances during spring training are a tryout of sorts for Kevin Cash and company, so no pressure, TJ Nichols!