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The Tampa Bay Rays are in a great spot as they prepare to enter All-Star Weekend.
With just one 3-game series left to go before the break, the team currently sits at the top of the American League East standings by 4 games over the New York Yankees.
On this week’s Rays Roundtable, we wanted to celebrate All-Star weekend with our thoughts on who will participate and be selected in the upcoming MLB Draft in Philadelphia.
Michael Brauner: It’s nice to have four All-Stars, but there were some insane snubs as well. Nick Martinez in particular not being named is egregious, but perhaps he can use this as motivation for the rest of the season.
Christian Rauh: I’m happy that the Rays got some respect and exposure since they are the best team in the American League, but they totally missed the ball on some of the names not being called. The number should have been at least six!
MB: It’s far from just Martinez who was snubbed. Shane McClanahan and Kevin Kelly were both deserving as well. Ultimately, not everyone can be All-Stars, but the Rays deserved more than they got this time.
CR: Nick Martinez is the easy one for sure, and he may still find his way there as a replacement. However, Shane McClanahan as well as Jonathan Aranda deserved more attention for missing out on the All-Star Roster as well. Both are playing at an outstanding level and are a big reason the Rays are where they are in the standings right now.
MB: All signs are pointing to high school shortstop Grady Emerson, who would be a wonderful fit in the organization and someone who could wind up being a future franchise corner
CR: Also leaning towards Grady here. He is the best talent in the draft from an athletic standpoint. The Rays are not afraid to take on younger players and have a great track record of developing them as well. If he happens to go first overall, I also think they would be very happy to land a player much closer to making his big league debut, like UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky.
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With just one 3-game series left to go before the break, the team currently sits at the top of the American League East standings by 4 games over the New York Yankees.
On this week’s Rays Roundtable, we wanted to celebrate All-Star weekend with our thoughts on who will participate and be selected in the upcoming MLB Draft in Philadelphia.
Four Tampa Bay Rays were named All-Stars. What are your initial thoughts on the results for the American League?
Michael Brauner: It’s nice to have four All-Stars, but there were some insane snubs as well. Nick Martinez in particular not being named is egregious, but perhaps he can use this as motivation for the rest of the season.
Christian Rauh: I’m happy that the Rays got some respect and exposure since they are the best team in the American League, but they totally missed the ball on some of the names not being called. The number should have been at least six!
Do you think any Rays were snubbed from the Midsummer Classic?
MB: It’s far from just Martinez who was snubbed. Shane McClanahan and Kevin Kelly were both deserving as well. Ultimately, not everyone can be All-Stars, but the Rays deserved more than they got this time.
CR: Nick Martinez is the easy one for sure, and he may still find his way there as a replacement. However, Shane McClanahan as well as Jonathan Aranda deserved more attention for missing out on the All-Star Roster as well. Both are playing at an outstanding level and are a big reason the Rays are where they are in the standings right now.
Who do you think Tampa Bay goes with with the No.2 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft?
MB: All signs are pointing to high school shortstop Grady Emerson, who would be a wonderful fit in the organization and someone who could wind up being a future franchise corner
CR: Also leaning towards Grady here. He is the best talent in the draft from an athletic standpoint. The Rays are not afraid to take on younger players and have a great track record of developing them as well. If he happens to go first overall, I also think they would be very happy to land a player much closer to making his big league debut, like UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky.
Continue reading...
