The Rays announced they’ve selected right-hander Easton McGee onto the big league roster. Reliever Calvin Faucher was optioned to Triple-A Durham to open an active roster spot, while Tampa Bay designated righty Cristofer Ogando for assignment to create a vacancy on the 40-man roster.
Ogando was just selected onto the big league club last week. That marked his second stint on the 40-man roster this year, but each has proven brief. Ogando made one appearance during Tampa Bay’s series in Toronto in early July, and he came out of the bullpen twice last week before being optioned back to Durham. Those marked the 28-year-old’s first MLB outings, and he’s tossed 4 1/3 innings of two-run ball. Ogando has struck out a pair, issued one walk and averaged 94.6 MPH on his fastball and 81.3 MPH on his breaking pitch.
A former Marlins and Diamondbacks farmhand, Ogando has spent the past few years in the Rays system. Aside from his limited big league action, he’s spent the entire year in Durham. Working as a multi-inning reliever, the Dominican Republic native has pitched to a 4.66 ERA with an average 23.5% strikeout rate and an alarming 11.5% walk percentage through 53 1/3 frames with the Bulls.
This is the second time the Rays have designated him for assignment, and he’ll find himself on waivers in the next few days. Ogando went unclaimed the last time his name was on the wire. If he goes unclaimed again, he’d have the right to refuse an outright assignment in favor of free agency. Even if he accepts an assignment back to Durham, he’ll qualify for minor league free agency at the end of the season unless the Rays put him back on the 40-man roster in the interim.
Taking Ogando’s place on the 40-man is McGee, who’ll be making his major league debut if he’s called upon by manager Kevin Cash. A fourth-round pick out of a Kentucky high school in 2016, the 6’6″ righty has spent seven years in the minors. McGee has never appeared on an organizational prospects list at Baseball America or FanGraphs, but he’s shown excellent control throughout his time in pro ball. He’s never walked more than 5% of opponents at any full-season affiliate, with his strike-throwing ability standing out as his primary attribute.
McGee has never missed many bats in the minors, and that’s continued this season. He has a below-average 17.4% strikeout rate through 107 2/3 innings with Durham this year. The 24-year-old had posted decent ground-ball rates until this year, but he’s given up a fair bit more airborne contact during his first extended crack at Triple-A. McGee has induced grounders on just under 40% of batted balls and has surrendered more than two home runs per nine innings en route to a 5.43 ERA. He’s worked primarily as a starter in the minors but figures to assume a long relief role during his initial big league look, with Cash able to count on him to throw strikes when called upon.
I don’t think any organization treats its players like they are disposable as much as the Rays. They might be successful, but so is the Mafia. That doesn’t make it right.
I wish every team showed loyalty to their players like the Colorado Rockies. :/
My Antonio Senzatela jersey will be wearable for years!
hiflew;
You don’t think Rays players know that?
Those that survive a year there tend to play longer for the Rays than with any other team after they leave there. The Rays get the most out of them – primarily by the way and when they use them. Players don’t complain about that. Why would they?
Watch some of their games. That team always has more spirit than most.
When you don’t have the money the Yankees and other teams have, you do what you can to win.
Is it right the Yankees and Dodgers can shell out millions of dollars to players to play a game when good hardworking people make far less? Is it fair to monopolize and outbid free agency by always being the highest bidder?
This comment literally has no merit. Yankees and Dodgers do the same thing on the other side.
It literally has no merit? Well I guess you are correct there because I did not use the word merit in my comment. That would the only way to literally have no merit.
Crying about the system and saying the Dodgers/Yankees do it too is not exactly a great argument on their behalf.
Just so you know, I’m a Sox fan. I shouldn’t have said no merit but likewise it doesn’t make sense to cry about low budget teams who are successful. They’re doing their jobs to win, plain and simple. I see no wrong in that.
I have no problem with them winning. But I just don’t like the way they treat players as if they are just names on a roster instead of actual living breathing human beings.
But maybe I am just projecting. But I seriously doubt a week is sufficient enough time to decide a young man’s future in your organization. I realize that Tampa has a disadvantage and I am all for evening the playing field with a salary cap/floor situation. But I still don’t like the way they jerk people around, even if it is the only way they can compete.
Top 3 Hitters a team would ask to pinch hit in the clutch: Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve. Anyone disagree?
Didn’t you forget Mark Trumbo?
You are right. Scratch Altuve. Trumbo it is…
Active players only? Because otherwise I take David Freese.
That guy was actually pretty darn clutch haha
If we are talking bases loaded situation, I gotta go first and foremost with the greatest hitter of all time with the sacks full, Pat Tabler. The guy hit almost .500 with the bases loaded over his career.
I don’t recall him but with those sort of #’s/stats hiflew, how could you go wrong?? Haha