Future looks bright for Rays

03/04/2006
Developing a winning tradition takes time, requires talent and tends to involve a series of progressions.
In their relatively brief history, the Devil Rays have experienced their share of lows. Now, if their collection of young players keep improving, the organization is positioned to enjoy some highs.
Emerging out of its infancy, the franchise is making steady strides forward on the talent growth chart. Personnel evaluators across the league marvel at the abundance of players who project to become big-time stars.
The question now is whether those young players, under the leadership of new manager Joe Maddon, can break through that elusive .500 barrier. Fueling the optimism is the fact the club finished 39-34 after the All-Star break in 2005.
Building up their psyche is the fact Tampa Bay took 11 of 19 against the mighty Yankees.
For a winning season to come to fruition, however, the starting pitching must come of age. There are quality arms in camp, but are there enough?
In 22-year-old Scott Kazmir, the Rays have a rising star projected to be a bona fide ace. The gifted left-hander looks to build on his 10-9 mark and 3.77 ERA of a year ago, which included 186 innings. The club knows what it has in Kazmir. Now the burden falls on the rest of the rotation to step up on a more consistent basis.
With their lineup, the Rays should score their share of runs. Preventing them is a concern. Left-handers Mark Hendrickson and Casey Fossum, along with Seth McClung and Doug Waechter, are being asked to log their share of innings to ease the workload for a suspect bullpen. Fossum has the ability to swing into a relief role, but the Rays see him as a starter. Hendrickson is capable of better numbers -- it's a matter of staying healthy and doing it.
Fortifying the 'pen is a Spring Training mission. Gone are setup man Joe Borowski and closer Danys Baez.
Replacing Baez remains one of the most pressing Spring Training challenges. Jesus Colome has a 98-mph fastball, but he has yet to emerge as an overpowering reliever. Journeyman Dan Miceli, who has closing experience, is in the mix with Shinji Mori, Chad Orvella and Chad Harville.
The pitching woes of the past need to be corrected for the Rays to reverse their 31-44 record of a year ago against American League East rivals.
If it does, there is enough offense in place to have a big year.
To baseball personnel evaluators, the Rays not only have position players with talent, several are regarded as big-time future stars.
Carl Crawford already is an elite star, and a franchise-caliber player. He is a left fielder with center-field skills. He has size, a strong makeup and the ability to steal a base at any time. He also projects to hit for more power as his career progresses. There are few players as disruptive as Crawford.
Crawford's production should improve with the return of Rocco Baldelli, back in center field after missing last season because of injury. A healthy Baldelli gives an already good offense another weapon.
And it's just a matter of time before prized outfield prospect Delmon Young explodes onto the Major League scene. One Major League scout said that the 20-year-old Young resembles Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera when they were that age. Right field is destined to become Young's spot, but for now he is waiting his turn.
For now, Aubrey Huff, Damon Hollins and Jonny Gomes will split time in right field. Huff and Gomes are 20-homer threats.
The infield has some pop in second baseman Jorge Cantu, whose 28 homers and 117 RBIs from a year ago speak for themselves. Shortstop Julio Lugo -- frequently mentioned in trade rumors -- enjoyed a strong 2005, seemingly getting better while being pushed by former manager Lou Piniella. While Lugo doesn't take a lot of walks, he does log a lot of hits, and had a solid on-base percentage.
How quickly Maddon molds his young squad will determine where the Rays finish in the standings. Using a teaching approach, Spring Training has been tailored to drilling in the fundamentals.
Formerly the bench coach of the Angels, Maddon brings winning experience. Now he is trying to translate a winning way to Tampa Bay.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/