The Rays new superstar pitcher David Price is not going to be on the roster for the beginning of the season. Even though he was ridiculously good during the post season last year as a closer, especially against the Red Sox, manager Joe Madden decided it was best that Price go back to AAA Durham for some extra fine tuning. It isn't the first time the Rays did something like this.
Last year Even Longoria, the new face of the Rays, started the season in the minors for the first month. Longo was eventually called up to take over third base and the rest was history. He was one of the driving forces that led the team all the way to the World Series and racking up some honers as rookie of the year. Would that of happened if he started the season, who knows, but now he is one of the most solid ball players in the league.
What does that mean for Price? My guess is that he will be called up to the show in may and take over the 5th spot on the starting pitching rotation. If the Rays can afford to get Price more work in to improve any weaknesses than I am all for it.
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I think the trip to AAA Durham will be good for Price. He is a great player, and a little fine tuning will only strengthen him. Also, a little slice of humble pie is a good thing for players who have enjoyed success early in their careers. When he does return to the Rays, I believe Price will be an even bigger asset to the team.
ReplyDeleteI'll go a bit further--Price should spend an entire year in AAA. Think of the rush the Yankees put on Jaba Chamberlain, trying to push him too quickly into a starting role. Unsurprisingly, he had arm issues last season.
ReplyDeletePrice looked great as a reliever last season, and were they to make him a closer (a la Jon Papelbon), I'd say he's ready. But starting takes a particular stamina, and he has less than 32 professional starts. Combined. At any level. Give him a whole year to develop his arm and to get used to throwing every five days for more than a college season.
Also, he can develop his off-speed and breaking pitches. At the end of last season, Price's success came off his explosive fastball--which looked even more nasty to batter's facing him for the first time. The AL East is no place for a pitcher to be working on pitches--the line-ups are potent and the competition fierce. Down in the minors, no one will care if he spends an entire inning trying to place his curveball on the outside corner or working on his change-up release. In the majors, David Ortiz will park a breaking ball somewhere around the Keys and everyone will moan a loss.
David Price is one of the best young pitchers on the horizon. Don't rush him.
The Rays need to treat Price like a jockey treats that perfect horse, just ease him into the rotation. He will be good soon enough, and right now they have at least 3 good pitchers on their staff (Shields, Kazmir, and Garza), no need to rush Price up. I do agree with Mr. Santos that it is best to give him all the time in the world. I would also like to say that the Rays owned the Sox this week winning the series 2 to 1. Go Rays!!!!!
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