Speed was the name of the game for Rays in Spring Breakout series debut

The Spring Breakout series opened up last night as the Rays top prospects took on the Red Sox top prospects. The Rays and Red Sox minor league systems are ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively among big league organizations, so this was certainly a star-studded matchup. Led by No. 9 overall prospect Carson Williams and slugging first baseman Bob Seymour, the Rays defeated No. 2 overall prospect Roman Anthony and company by a score of 7-5. However, they did so in a unique fashion.

The Rays fell behind early as the Red Sox highly touted middle infield prospect, Kristian Campbell crushed a 2-run opposite field home run. That blast was immediately followed by a Marcelo Mayer homer. The Boston lead was suddenly 3-0 in the third inning.

However, the Rays utilized their ability to play small ball and run the bases to inch their way back into the game. 23-year old outfielder Homer Bush Jr. got the rally started after reaching on an error in the bottom of the third. The Texas native was acquired by the Rays as one of the talented prospects in the Jason Adam deal last July. Bush Jr. was able to advance to second on a Chandler Simpson single. After that, the speed was on full display.

Both fleet-footed athletes stole their respective bases only a few pitches later, allowing them to promote to scoring position. A well-placed groundout from Carson Williams and a single from Bob Seymour trimmed the Red Sox lead to only one run. Therefore, that double steal from Bush Jr. and Simpson was paramount for moving the inning along smoothly.

The bottom of the fourth was played in a similar way by the Rays prospects. Tampa Bay's No. 23 prospect Emilien Pitre reached on a fielder's choice and swiped a base of his own to advance into scoring position. This was followed by a base hit from Homer Bush Jr which allowed Pitre to score. The former Padres farm hand would then snag his second stolen base of the night. He would eventually score, extending the Rays lead to 5-3.

This impressive baserunning from the Rays youngsters led to a total of four stolen bases in five attempts. Rays fan have got to be thrilled to watch these burners fly around the bases in a Rays uniform a few years from now. Although, the club also showed off in another facet of their game as top prospect Carson Williams went deep in the bottom of the eighth to secure a win for the home team.

Overall, the showing from the Rays minor leaguers was stellar and they were able to prove why they are considered the second best farm system in the sport right now. With a few more years of development within the organization, the sky is the limit for these young players, and the Rays for that matter.