1:39PM: The Rays have officially called up Wong, and moved left-hander Jose Alvarado to the 60-day injured list to create roster move.
8:35AM: The Rays will call up utilityman Kean Wong, The Athletic’s Josh Tolentino reports (Twitter link). Wong — the younger brother of Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong — isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the Rays will have to make another move prior before the 24-year-old prospect’s contract is officially selected.
It will mark the Major League debut for Wong, who was a fourth-round pick for Tampa Bay in the 2013 draft. Originally selected as a second baseman, Wong also began to see some time as a third baseman, and then over the last two seasons has expanded his defensive repertoire to include shortstop and all three outfield positions.
This type of versatility will have Wong fit right into a Rays lineup that values multi-positional ability. Wong is also a left-handed hitter, giving a bit more balance amongst the middle infield options. Wong, Eric Sogard, and Joey Wendle all hit from the left side, while Matt Duffy, Daniel Robertson, and everyday shortstop Willy Adames are all right-handed bats.
MLB.com doesn’t rank Wong within the top 30 prospects in the deep Tampa farm system, though he punched his ticket to the big leagues with a breakout season at the plate. Wong hit .307/.375/.464 with 10 homers over 506 plate appearances for Triple-A Durham this season. The power surge is of particular note, as Wong’s previous high in slugging percentage was a .406 mark in 2018.
While Wong is far from the only Triple-A player to suddenly start mashing in 2019, it provides some evidence that he’ll be able to hit MLB pitching, which was the biggest question mark facing Wong’s prospect status. Even counting his big 2019 numbers, he still has an overall modest .287/.342/.383 slash line over 3052 career PA in the minors.
Another of the Rays’ endless supply (and they have more coming) of bat-only middle IFers. But the versatility is intriguing (even if he’s terrible everywhere), and if nothing else, showcases him for Winter activity….. and keeps his brother happy….
Bat only? The guy couldn’t hit until last year.
And why would the rays care if his brother is happy?
And in this addition in Bobs terrible takes we have his typical assessment of every player the Rays call up, a horrible fielding bat only IF. Shame this team doesn’t employ coaches and shifts to help out the defense of some players
Lmao bob is highly critical of anyone who plays MIF for the Rays….Not even close to correct on Wong who is at the absolute worst an average defender. He’s a utility man if anything at the big league level
Nah, it’s that some organizations stress certain aspects, and some don’t. The Dodgers’ middle IFers, even on the farm, aren’t so hot either…but Kolten Wong isn’t Gavin Lux. Wendle is by tons the best Rays’ fundamental player, but he came from the A’s, an organization that pays a bit more attention. It doesn’t mean either approach is right or wrong (or Wong)…..
And I’m sure that you of all folks remember that Belanger saved more runs with his glove than Petrocelli generated with his bat……
Bro what are you talking about. What’s your point here.
Ever heard of Corey Seager Bob? Max Muncy is sort of good too. Lux, Jeter Downs, etc. smh
And you’d rank all of them as defensive pluses? Really? You’d be alone…..
well deserved. this guy is one of those minors guys who has killed it for some time in the minors now but never truely been appreciated. (ie Connor Joe)
Joe has a career .797 MiLB OPS to Wong’s .725 so I’m not sure that’s a good comparison. I also wouldn’t say Wong has “killed it for some time” in the minors
yeah perhaps that’s an overstatement. I still figured Wong had almost as good a chance to be selected in the rule 5 draft but was not.
Fair enough
I personally think it was the Wong move!
Yes good player
Ok I guess but when is Jake Cronnenworth getting called up? He has been raking all year and can pitch an inning if need be.
yes I’d rather see Jake and what he can do…
Not that keen on Wong, eh?
why Brosseau was up over Cronenworth baffled me. clearly they wanted him to get more reps in the pen, but the kid can hit, and could have always been given some short spells in the pen in the Majors. with the expanded rosters he should be fine developing his arm in the Majors.
How on earth is hitting minor league pitching considered “evidence” that the guy is able to hit MLB pitching???!!!
Some evidence. It’s better evidence than not hitting minor league pitching.
Evidence doesn’t mean “conclusive proof”. When there is enough evidence, then you can start forming hypotheses.
How else are you gonna know he can hit tf
Need to find that out. Wong’s earned it.
You’re not wong about that.
Does he require as much mustard as his hot dog brother?
Kolton needs some Tabasco because he’s been red hot since the break.
If he’s red hot, why does he need Tabasco?
You’ve got to get your evidence from somewhere.
It’s a cup of coffee September call up. I doubt he gets a dozen ab’s the rest of the season.
As far as I can tell his defense at several positions is average to decent. At least as good or better than Brosseau. Something is missing here why he hasn’t been promoted sooner.
They were waiting for him to sharpen his offensive skills further
he was hitting .360 for a while. they were working on using him in the pen as well, which complicated things.
with Cronenworth likely up soon, all of Wong, Brosseau, Robertson, Wendle, and Duffy cant be back next year. Something has to give, a la SD’s situation.
This might be the wite move or it could be all WONG !!
but do two Wrights make a Wong?
Can a team made of all second baseman’s win the World Series , stay tuned
Remember when Kolten was so upset Keon wasn’t called up last year? lol
don’t get picked off first base!
He’s 2 inches taller than his
older brother. He must have
gotten bigger portions at
meal time…..