News
Rays add three prospects to 40-man roster
Move means trio can't be picked up in upcoming Rule 5 Draft
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
11/19/09 5:45 PM EST
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays set their 40-man roster a day early on Thursday by adding outfielder Desmond Jennings, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and left-hander Alexander Torres, thus ensuring none will be selected in next month's Rule 5 Draft.In addition, first baseman Carlos Pena was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list; the moves put Tampa Bay at the 40-man roster limit.
Jennings, 23, was named the Rays' Minor League Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of both Double-A Montgomery and the Southern League. He was promoted from Montgomery to Triple-A Durham in late July. Overall, he hit .318 with 11 home runs, 52 stolen bases and 62 RBIs. In addition, Jennings scored 92 runs, had 31 doubles, 10 triples, a .401 on-base percentage and a .487 slugging percentage.
Despite the promotion, Jennings finished second in the Southern League in batting (.316), third in steals (team-record 37), fourth in on-base percentage (.395), fifth in slugging percentage (.486) and tied for fourth in triples (eight). Baseball America named him the No. 18 prospect in baseball in its midseason rankings.
"I've been waiting on this day for the whole offseason, hoping I would get it, [and] I was excited when they called and told me," Jennings said.
Jennings' name has been more prevalent in the offseason since Carl Crawford is heading into the final year of his contract with Tampa Bay. Much of what happens to Jennings could be tied to the fate of Crawford, who could be traded if the Rays and their left fielder are not able to hammer out a long-term deal.
Jennings plans on arriving at Spring Training ready to compete for a job.
"They may think different, that I need some more time," Jennings said. "But I'm going to go out there and play hard and push everybody. Hopefully I can earn my way up there somewhere."
Hellickson, 22, was named the Rays' Minor League Pitcher of the Year, going a combined 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA for Montgomery and Durham. After missing most of May and June with a right shoulder strain, he was promoted from Montgomery to Durham in late July. Overall, he struck out 10.42 batters per nine innings and held opponents to a .178 batting average. After joining the Bulls, Hellickson went 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA in nine starts, held opponents to a .157 average and had more than twice as many strikeouts (70) as hits allowed (31).
"I think it's probably the day we look forward to the most since the day we sign," said Hellickson after learning he had been added to the 40-man roster. "I've been looking forward to this day for a while."
Though he's on the Major League roster, Hellickson knows the challenge in front of him to become a big leaguer is greatly based on the fact Tampa Bay has a starting rotation that includes James Shields, Matt Garza, Jeff Niemann, David Price and Wade Davis.
"We have five really, really good starters up there right now," Hellickson said. "I've got to keep working hard. I'm close, but [I'm] still a long ways away."
Hellickson believes his advancement has been based on his body of work.
"I don't think it's really one thing I've done, I think it's more what I've done the last four or five years," Hellickson said. "I've just tried to stay consistent. Just go out there and work hard and whatever comes to me comes to me. I'm just happy this day finally came."
Torres, 21, was acquired on Aug. 28 as part of the trade that sent Scott Kazmir to the Angels. Combining three stops in 2009 -- Class A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Arkansas and Montgomery -- he went 13-6 with a 2.77 ERA in 28 appearances (26 starts). He struck out 156 batters, held opponents to a .222 batting average and allowed only five home runs.
Torres spent the majority of the season with Rancho Cucamonga, where he went 10-3 with a 2.74 ERA and earned California League All-Star honors and a July 31 promotion to Arkansas. Torres is a native of Valencia, Venezuela.
The Rays' 40-man roster is as follows:
Pitchers: Grant Balfour, Jeff Bennett, Jesse Chavez, Randy Choate, Lance Cormier, Davis, Garza, Hellickson, J.P. Howell, Jake McGee, Niemann, Price, Ramon Ramirez, Shields, Andy Sonnanstine, Mitch Talbot, Dale Thayer, Torres and Dan Wheeler.
Catchers: John Jason, Jose Lobaton, Dioner Navarro and Shawn Riggans.
Infielders: Willy Aybar, Jason Bartlett, Reid Brignac, Elliot Johnson, Evan Longoria, Pena, Sean Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist.
Outfielders: Pat Burrell, Crawford, Gabe Gross, Jennings, Matt Joyce, Gabe Kapler, Fernando Perez, Justin Ruggiano and B.J. Upton.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
