After a rocky first decade of franchise existence, the Tampa Bay Rays have effectively used the ability to nurture young pitching in order to compete perennially in the tough American League East. As a result, earning a place on the team’s list of all-time great pitchers has become a real distinction. This is also a ranking that is likely to remain fluid, as several new hurlers are establishing careers that will likely knock on the door of entry soon. Here is a look at the top 5 pitchers in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays.
1.) David Price (2008-present) — By claiming the first Cy Young Award in the brief history of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, this former #1 overall draft pick has lived up to his lofty potential. Selected out of Vanderbilt University, Price possesses multiple dominating pitches, including a two-seam and four-seam fastball, which can both be located with precision and consistently reach into the upper 90s on the radar gun. After only a year in the minors, Price was summoned on the eve of the Rays’ post-season run in 2008 and immediately proved his worth by serving as the team’s closer throughout the playoffs. Everyone knew that was not Price’s destined role and he entered the starting rotation for good six weeks into the 2009 season. Since then, Price is 61-31 through 4 seasons with a 3.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, a pair 200+ strikeout campaigns, and 3 consecutive All-Star appearances. His 2012 performance was easily the best season in franchise history and he topped the American League with 20 wins and a 2.54 ERA.
2.) James Shields (2006-2012) — Continually facing financial limitations, a trade of this right-hander long seemed inevitable. The deal finally occurred in December 2012, when the 7 year veteran was shipped to the Kansas City Royals for a package of prospects, which included reigning minor league player of the year Wil Myers. Shields will be missed, as the dependable pitcher did not skip a single start due to injury during his lengthy run in Tampa Bay. After being drafted in 2000, and overcoming shoulder surgery, Shields entered the regular rotation mid-way through the 2006 season. The California native impressed and the team locked him up to a long-term contract in 2008. Named an All-Star in 2011, Shields is the club’s leader with 87 wins and also tops the categories of starts, innings, complete games, shutouts, and strikeouts. He earned the nickname “Big Game” for numerous clutch starts during the magical 2008 season and added “Complete Game” James after an improbable 11 complete games in 2011.
3.) Scott Kazmir (2004-2009) — It is not often that a player’s acquisition is a genuine steal, while the deal to unload his services proves even wiser. That is exactly what happened with this former star, who was brilliantly plucked from the New York Mets in 2004 in exchange for veteran Victor Zambrano. Kazmir debuted for the Rays that same season and became a contender for the Rookie of the Year Award the following year. The Texas native enjoyed strong efforts for Tampa Bay from 2005-2008, which merited a pair of All-Star selections, and was highlighted by playing for the 2008 World Series. Kazmir’s 239 strikeouts in 2007 not only led the American League, but remains a franchise best. With ever-present injury concerns, the team witnessed his control begin to fade, and shrewedly shipped his hefty contract to the Los Angeles Angels in 2009. Within 2 years, Kazmir was sadly out of baseball, but his impact on the team’s record books remains.
4.) Matt Garza (2008-2010) — If there is a common theme to this list, it is that the Rays are ever willing to deal quality starting pitching to re-tool a deep farm system that drives the thrifty organization. Like Kazmir, this impactful hurler was acquired via trade, when Delmon Young and Brendan Harris were shipped to the Minnesota Twins after the 2007 season. Garza blossomed in Tampa Bay during 64 starts from 2008-2010 and will long be remembered for capturing the 2008 ALCS MVP for a pair of victories over the hated Boston Red Sox. His stay in Tampa was further memorable for throwing the sole no hitter in Rays’ history during a 5-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on July 26, 2010. Though Garza possessed nearly every skill the team could desire in a starter, the Rays dealt the arbitration-eligible player when his salary became onerous. The 2010 trade to the Chicago Cubs wisely returned a wealth of talent, including Chris Archer, Sam Fuld, and Hak-Ju Lee.
5.) Grant Balfour (2007-2010) — Determining the last spot on these lists inevitably proves most difficult. Though Jeremy Hellickson may soon have a worthy case, no additional Rays’ starter is yet worthy of consideration. Multiple relief pitchers, however, do possess a valid claim to inclusion for their services. While Fernando Rodney, Raphael Soriano, and Joaquin Benoit each exhibited robust performances with Tampa Bay, their time was too limited to rank as all-time greats. Receiving a slight edge over former teammate J.P. Howell, the 5th spot instead goes to reliever Grant Balfour, who came to the club from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. The righty embarked on a shaky start, but proceeded to post one of the finest seasons of relief work ever in 2008, as evidenced by a stingy 1.54 ERA in 58.1 innings. The Australian’s temperament often grew animated on the mound, but he smoothly savored a reputation for getting out of tricky situations with the Rays. Balfour remained a reliable set-up man throughout 2009 and 2010, before departing via free agency.
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports, Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com.
More by Jeff Briscoe from Yahoo! Contributor Network:
Top 5 Hitters in Tampa Bay Rays Franchise History
Jeff Briscoe is a regular contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and a follower of the Tampa Bay Rays . He talks Rays’ baseball and more on The Sports Train radio show in Southwest Florida.
