2024 Tampa Bay Rays Preview: Outfield

If you had to pick one word to describe the Tampa Bay Rays outfield, one that could be used would be electrifying. The position group is filled with long-ball hitting and fast players that are threats in the field and on the base paths and will be used to ignite the team's success in 2024 as they hunt to make some postseason noise.

Let's start with the home runs. Last season, the Rays ranked sixth in major league baseball in home runs per game (1.40). The three main hitters in the outfield consisting of Josh Lowe, Jose Siri, and Randy Arozarena combined for 68 of the team's total home runs. This proves the point that a lot of the long ball production for Tampa Bay comes from the three main players that will be there in 2024.

Newcomer Richie Palacios could do much of the same kind of things as well, posting sixe home runs in less than 100 at-bats with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. This power he can possibly provide will be something to monitor in St. Pete this upcoming season.

Jonny DeLuca is another new addition from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who came over in the blockbuster Tyler Glasnow trade from this offseason. He put up a .262 average in less than 50 at-bats in 2023 and his bat will be tested throughout certain games this next season. Palacios and DeLuca both will be new bats that can make this outfield deeper than anticipated.

As for stolen bases, this group can get them in bunches. Last season, they ranked fourth in Major League Baseball in steals per game, averaging just under one per contest. Lowe and Arozarena ranked in the top three among team steal leaders with 54 combined. Siri also contributed with 12 of his own, as his speed is well known around the league; he was ranked a top five fastest player in the majors by Yardbarker, topping out at 30.2 feet per second at sprint speed.

This outfield in St. Pete will be a fun group, with returning threats that load up the lineup and two newcomers in Palacios and DeLuca that can provide lots of support with the potential they have offensively.