The Rays are expected to promote highly-regarded infield prospect Vidal Bruján before tomorrow’s doubleheader against the Indians, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). While Bruján’s first call will be as the “27th man” allotted for doubleheaders, Topin adds that he’s likely to stick around beyond Wednesday.
Bruján will become the latest arrival to a Rays infield that has already welcomed Taylor Walls and Wander Franco this season. Bruján isn’t quite the caliber of prospect Franco is (no one is, since Franco is the game’s consensus top rookie talent), but he’s an extremely promising player in his own right. Each of Baseball America, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs, and Keith Law of the Athletic slotted him among the game’s top 60 prospects entering the year, with Longenhagen placing him 24th.
All three outlets praise Bruján’s combination of athleticism, straight-line speed and bat control. Both Longenhagen and Law suggest he could eventually mature into an All-Star caliber player, with Longenhagen suggesting he bears some some similarities to Ozzie Albies and Ketel Marte at the same age. Bruján’s not a towering physical presence — he’s listed at 5’10”, 180 — but evaluators write that the switch-hitter’s athleticism enables surprising bat speed and power, particularly from the left-handed batters box.
Bruján’s minor league numbers support those visual evaluations. He’s been a better than average hitter at every stop, slashing .290/.374/.423 with 28 home runs and 166 stolen bases (in 217 attempts) across parts of six seasons. Bruján has spent this year with Triple-A Durham and hit a productive .259/.344/.471 over 216 plate appearances in his first crack at the minors’ highest level.
Just as importantly, Bruján has walked almost as often as he’s struck out throughout his time in the system. Over the course of his career, he’s drawn free passes at a strong 10.6% clip while punching out a minuscule 11.6% of the time. His strikeout percentage has jumped to a career-high 15.7% in Triple-A this year, but that’s still far better than the 23.2% major league average.
At 49-36, the Rays have fallen 4.5 games back of the Red Sox in the American League East, but they hold a four-game advantage over the Mariners in the Wild Card race. Bruján’s high minors performance seemed likely to get him an opportunity to contribute to Tampa Bay’s playoff push at some point regardless, but the immediate impetus for his promotion is an injury to center fielder Manuel Margot. Margot suffered a hamstring injury yesterday that seems likely to lead to an injured list stint, opening up active roster space for the 23-year-old Bruján. He was already added to the 40-man roster last offseason to keep him from selection in the Rule 5 draft.
The deadline has long since passed for Bruján to accrue a full year of major service, as has the expected window for Super Two qualification. Even if he sticks in the majors from here on out, he’ll be controllable through 2027 and won’t reach arbitration eligibility until the 2024-25 offseason.
I wonder if they’ll deal some of their middle infield depth at the deadline?
Sad newsTerry Funk age 77 is now in Assistant living dealing with dementia. Also Paul Orndorf age 71 is now in the final stage of his battle with dementia. His son Travis has taking him out of the assistant living facility and move them to his house for his final weeks
Al, why the pro wrestling comment? Was the news just weighing heavy on your mind, or are these two men relatives of yours?
Cause they both announced their intent to run for the presidency in 2024.
WTF does that have to do about baseball transactions
Can you post something involving former cyclists dealing with cancer next?
How are Brujan’s vidal signs?
The good news is, I saved a bundle on car insurance by pushing my SUV off a cliff.
Where’s the speedy recovery guy when you need him?
It’s assisted dope, not assistant.
They likely will. It’s a very “High Class “ problem to have….
The Rays will figure this little scuffle out..
Rays, with their top ranked farm, have the luxury of bringing up a slew of talent at any given time. Most franchises focus on 15-25 players being reliable out the gate; rays would rather have no stars with a pool of 50 to pull from and then put them in best chance to succeed.
And That’s why your favorite team takes a back seat to the rays
I’d like to be mad at this and argue it but it’s the truth.
“Get in the back, only winners sit in the front seat!”
Signed,
2020 World Series Champions
Hint: Not the Rays
So the Giants are in the front seat then? Cool.
Typically the winners sit in the back and get driven around, I think someone has been playing a joke on your Arthur.
The Dodgers are a well run organization as well and they have the benefit of lots of $$$. I won’t be surprised if we see those 2 teams meet for the WS again in the next 5 or so years.
The Ray’s have 38(!) pitching prospects projected to be above average MLB pitchers.
Mercy.
That being acknowledged, what have they won, @bot? The way they have been able to crank these guys out lately has certainly been impressive. They’ve had some good ballclubs & made the postseason a few times. But it’s not like they are some juggernaut or whatever that’s won a slew of pennants.
They made it to the WS last year. That’s a big deal with so few resources. It would be nice if they finally won a WS though.
For sure.
I don’t want to minimize that either. They took it to my Yanks. About all I can say about that.
But for a team that has still to win it’s first world series as a franchise, their success gets trumpeted a lot. Fantastic organization. They drive me – & I’m sure Hal Steinbrenner – nuts.
& I’m not doing that “27 rings beyotches” thing that a lot of my fellow Yankee fans like to do.
But the truth is they have won two pennants. Total. They’ve not exactly been running roughshod over the league.
Ya know?
“Vidal Brujan…if he don’t look good, we don’t look good” – Rays scouts
Are you implying that the Rays scouts are worrying about a player they spent 15k on or is this a reference to something
Vidal Sassoon, YouTube perhaps?
Anyone under the age of 35 won’t get this joke!
small sample size of course but Franco and Walls have not produced.
Im sure they will but we will see. Odds are one or two of these great prospects are going to be a bust
That take depends on your definition and expectations of production?
Above league average?
Walls was never a great prospect this is the first year he was an above average hitter at AAA, but he was the best defensive prospect they had which is why he got first shot at an extended stay. Wander has been figuring some things out his last 8 games with an 8 game hitting streak and hitting over .300
Walls was never supposed to hit the cover off the ball, glove-first ss (his numbers on d have been excellent). Franco is 20, never played above A ball prior to this year…take a breath, even Trout failed initially.
Never guarantees re prospects, but you sound like the type that loves to point out failure. Sorry for that.
I don’t even think Franco has really failed/been failing, he’s been just about league average with the bat. That said, his point is valid. Historically speaking, it’d be smart money to bet that 1 or 2 of these prospects will be a bust, that’s just reality…
I do not disagree w the main pt, but some of the “analysis” was a bit skewed, and it read like he was looking forward to the failure more than the success. Just my take. I think Bru and Wander will be successful personally, but no one is assured of anything.
Highly doubtful.
as a die hard Rays fan I watch every game and Wander actually looks great, he’s just been extremely unlucky due to a very very low BABIP. Starting to even out now tho he’s on a 7 game hitting streak.
Yep. He looks like a very good hitter. Even if his first year is so-so, he will continue to improve. See: Vlad Jr.
Odds are neither will be a bust
Rays have a ton of middle infield depth, any chance A’s can pry away any of their prospect infielders for a pitcher like puk, luzardo, or jefferies?
I wonder what they could get for Puk??
Not much right now.
id be shocked if that’s the case
Not much with his double digit era or close to it,
I think the Rays will trade Wendle once Margot comes back. A RHP is needed, particularly a starter. Already have four LHP in the rotation, and the AL East is full of RH bashers.
Calling up Rayinforcements. This team always manages to compete. See if they have enough pitching.
The leadoff hitter is arriving! Curious if Margot going on shelf? Comes down to if Lowe at 2B and Bru in OF or vice versa is better defensive option. But the kid will stick–he can play.
I’m literally watching the Durham Bulls play tomorrow. Sucks that I won’t be able to see him
I made sure I got in two games in May so I would see both Franco and Brujan. Heading there a week from today again, I guess I will have to figure out who is left that’s good!
Saw this trade idea on baseball trade values. Marlins trade Pablo Lopez for Brujan, McCay and Joe Ryan. I like that for both teams.
Who else is Miami throwing in?
Let me guess, you’re a Marlins fan?? No way the Rays would agree to this nonsense!
do people not understand the value of cheap, controllable, young SP?
Brujan, McKay, and Ryan for Pablo Lopez works for a team that is not the Rays.
Why trade those three when the traditional starter isn’t as important to Tampa? And trading for a young starter that has set himself for a pretty nice payday right before arbitration is not something the Rays typically do.
its not something the Rays normally do, which is why they still havent won a WS.
They have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball yet have only three seasons under .500 in the last 13 years. Can’t knock them for not winning a WS when they consistently outperform most of the league despite spending far less.
the goal is to win a World Series…if your goal is to simply win during the regular season, then okay, but that’s just a poor goal.
That’s why they haven’t won a World Series…or maybe that’s why they have remained competitive all this time despite all their problems.
SSS cluster luck is biggest factor in MLB postseason success. If it wasn’t Dodgers would have more titles than Giants in last 12 years.
In my opinion, consistently making the playoffs is the best indicator of a well-run MLB franchise, not necessarily World Series titles. Which organization is more successful: one that makes the playoffs virtually every year but for whatever reason comes up short in the playoffs, or one that sneaks into the playoffs as a wildcard once in a decade, gets hot at the right time, and wins the World Series?
I was thinking a lesser prospect than Ryan as the 3rd piece but this is a trade I think works well for both teams.
Lopez would be welcomed, but at the expense of two top 100 prospects? Nah. And honestly, I do not see Brujan going anywhere. He plays every position but C and P, he has elite speed, and he can hit.
It’s wild how many players the rays have at there disposal year after year. I was a kid when the Dodgers went after Strawberry and learned it’s not about a single player. Money is easily wasted away. These young kids play with hunger more than the paid veteran who just ate steak and lobster for dinner. Wish the Angels operated this way.. but keeping our new jersey boy trout of course.
Feels like they’re showing off some infield prospects ahead of trade deadline
Neither Franco or Brujan is really a SS on a championship team……Walls definitely is. Brujan probably replaced Margot (who’s hurt) for a bit in CF.
And Xavier Edwards, last time I looked, was tearing up AA….more of a 2B, but ya, their inner infield depth is impressive.
Brujan seems to project as a 2B/CF/RF. Is Kiermeier finally getting dealt, even with Margot hurt? I can’t imagine they are bringing Brujan up to sit on the bench, even if he bats ninth.
They’d offload KK’s contract faster than I would say yes to Brittney Spears, if she ever asked. They’d have to pay it down or include a prospect; nobody’s going to pay 12M for a late inning defensive replacement. Brujan seems to play a mean CF; it’s where he belongs eventually.
How they play it out this year is interesting to watch.
How about if they took on Kimbrel’s 2022 salary? I seem to be the only one who thinks the Cubs and Rays can make something work because the Rays have enough AA and High-A prospects that they can afford to give up a couple for the risk that they couldn’t flip Kimbrel in the off-season for some reason.
The Rays aren’t eating salary. And why would the Rays want Kimbrel? Also, why would the Rays pick up Kimbrel’s option that’s entirely too high just to trade him?
You’re a Cubs fan right Brickhouse? Because that scenario is very skewed to one teams side
I’m a Cub fan but I also follow the Rays a lot because I like Dave/Andy and I now live near their AAA club.
Kimbrel’s option vests, so it’s pretty much a given.
Why would they not want Kimbrel as a rental? He has figured out what was making him stink in 2019 and 2020, and he is pitching lights out for a team whose starters can’t give them five, so it’s a waste. The Rays could definitely use him and utilize him efficiently and effectively. Meanwhile, Kiermeier’s contract is almost as expensive, and he is surplus but he’s been there forever.
So the Rays can have Kiermeier rot on the bench while Brujan and Margot play CF, or they can have Kimbrel in the back of the pen for similar money at the cost of a prospect. And unlike Kiermeier, Kimbrel is actually highly likely to have trade value in the off-season.
Balance the money, send a AA prospect, and go win the division. Or just keep Kiermeier.
If his option vests, he’s not a good trade option.
They won’t want to pay a reliever that much when they don’t even want to pay KK that much.
What trade value does Kimbrel have? Pitched like garbage the last two years and has turned it around for half a season in contract year? I like Kimbrel but who would buy this rebound just off a few months and work to let his option vest?
Rays probably won’t go after an expensive bullpen arms
Crazy how all these shortstops for the Rays are 5’10
If we, the Rays, can perhaps pull of a multi player trade with the Twins, for José Berríos and Nelson Cruz, I’m down. You have your big bat in the middle of the lineup (on a one year deal) and a solid starting pitcher.
I’d give some prospects to achieve this, great idea
Yup! Kill two birds with one stone. We need a big bat, and I think we can get Cruz at a relatively good price. And we need a starting pitcher. Jose is having a pretty solid season. Both players would automatically be the best at their respective positions. Jose, only because Tyler is out.
I would have to think the Rays are definitely interested in Nelson Cruz.
It would be nice! If we can’t get Jose too, let’s take a look at Kyle Gibson of Texas. We need another starter. Our bullpen is fine. Top 3 in the league. I believe number 1 or 2 in the AL.
Need right handed bat or 2. Rays have issues against lefties I would be happy with Cruz or Schoop, maybe Hampson But with Wander & Walls & Vidal all switch hitters think the Rays will add 1 RHB. (Please). Current starters or bulk innings guys. McClanahan & Hill & Yarbrough & Fleming (all lefties) Wacha maybe McHugh (Righties). Problem is Red Sox & Blue Jays & Yankees are right hand dominant line ups. Need to add a RH SP as well. Berrios & Marquez & Gibson & Gray seem to fit the bill. Blockbuster Trade would be Cruz & Berrios & Rogers. Rogers would be an improvement over Springs as the lefty coming out of the bullpen, Question is what prospects are the Rays willing to trade? Pitchers Baz #5 (No) Ryan #11 (doubtful) McKay #3 (injured) maybe Cole Wilcox #8 JJ Goss #13 Seth Johnson #14 Brent Honeywell #17 & Drew Strotman.#18 Xavier Edwards #4 Rays prospect plays SS/2B were does in play in the future for the Rays? with Wander & Walls & Vidal & Lowe and Rays #7 prospect Greg Jones a #1 pick is a SS maybe OF. Seems to me Rays could move Edwards. This will give the Twins Royce Lewis at SS and Xavier Edwards at 2B for the future
Are you down in the Tampa area ?
Yes
You?
Yup. Land O Lakes. I’m looking at some Sunday games to go to. White Sox’s will be a good one.
Hey, I’m back in the Philadelphia region for a family emergency. I had a ticket for this Saturday game vs. the blue Jays including parking. Would you like it? At least I know it’s going to a Rays fan. No charge , just have fun and make sure they win!
Thank You for the offer! I appreciate it
Have plans with the wife
No problem. Maybe we can catch up for some games. My wife has left, so I’m looking for some friends down here. Just let me know. Thank you.
It’s a numbers game re Cruz. Meadows, Arozarena, KK/Phillips, Brujan, and when he comes back, Margot. Cruz is better than any of them at the plate, but there are other factors. Even if they trade KK, need a glove in CF (Margot, Phillips), leaving Aro and Bru in corners…Meadows as DH. But it would be fun to have Cruz in that lineup!
I would be ok with Randy, Vidal and Meadows in the OF, so Cruz can DH. Also, I like having Cruz in our clubhouse. Great presents and can fit the Rays chemistry. He knows what it is like to play deep in the playoffs, when he was with Texas. And having Jose included, would be nice too. If we are going to go far, we need a starter. There’s also Kyle Gibson out of Texas. I will say, I’m liking what I’m seeing right now today from them.