Rays top prospects shine in first spring training game

The Rays unfortunately put up a goose egg in the first game of the spring, as their woes with runners in scoring position continued. However, there were some bright spots that came out of this late February contest.

First of all, probable everyday players Jonathan Aranda and Christopher Morel went a combined 3-for-5 in today's game. Aranda is coming off of a scorching hot September where he crushed five homers in a span of 24 games. The middle infielder also hit .254 that month which was impressive considering his prolonged absence earlier in the season due to injury.

Aranda's offense was definitely a positive, but the 26-year old displayed sub-par defense at second base, allowing a trickling ground ball from Cody Bellinger to slip through the infield and drive in a run. Rays veteran second baseman Brandon Lowe is certainly the better option at that defensive position, but Jonathan Aranda should get his fair share of at-bats in a DH role.

Christopher Morel is looking to solidify himself as the Rays left fielder this year. He helped himself in the first inning when he smoked a line drive past Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. Although, Morel struggled a little bit in the field as well. The 25-year outfielder drifted on a fly ball from Paul Goldschmidt which gave the former MVP a stand-up double.

The youngsters also got into the spring action late in the game. Rays No. 1 prospect Carson Williams reached base twice with a walk and a base hit. Although the Rays signed Korean shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, Williams is still likely to find playing time towards the end of the year, especially so that he can learn under the talented Kim.

Speedy Chandler Simpson also reached base twice today with two singles. The "Little Tony Gwynn", coined by Rays beat writer Adam Berry, is one of the top contact hitters coming out of any minor league system.

Even more impressively, the center fielder is possibly the fastest player at spring training this year. Simpson stole an absurd 198 bases over the last two seasons. Is it too early to nickname him after the late Rickey Henderson? Probably, but the Rays No. 4 prospect did swipe a bag rather easily today. The future is definitely going to be bright up the middle in Tampa Bay.