Today marks the deadline for teams to submit to Major League Baseball their initial spring training player pools, which can comprise up to 60 players. Players are not eligible to participate in either a spring training or regular season game until they are included in the pool. Teams are free to change the makeup of the pools as they see fit. However, players removed from a team’s 60-man (for reasons unrelated to injury, suspension, etc.) must be exposed to other organizations via trade or waivers.
Not all players within a team’s pool are ticketed for MLB playing time, of course. Most teams will include well-regarded but still far-off prospects as a means of getting them training reps with no intention of running them onto a major league diamond this season. A comprehensive review of 2020’s unique set of rules can be found here.
The Rays’ initial player pool consists of the following players, per various reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times).
Right-handed pitchers
- Nick Anderson
- Shane Baz
- Diego Castillo
- Yonny Chirinos
- Dylan Covey
- John Curtiss
- Oliver Drake
- Pete Fairbanks
- Tyler Glasnow
- Andrew Kittredge
- Sam McWilliams
- Charlie Morton
- Trevor Richards
- Chaz Roe
- Joe Ryan
- Aaron Slegers
- Ryan Thompson
Left-handed pitchers
- José Alvarado
- Anthony Banda
- Jalen Beeks
- Josh Fleming
- Sean Gilmartin
- Aaron Loup
- Shane McClanahan
- Brendan McKay
- Colin Poche
- Ryan Sherriff
- Blake Snell
- D.J. Snelten
- Ryan Yarbrough
Catchers
Infielders
- Willy Adames
- Mike Brosseau
- Vidal Bruján
- Ji-Man Choi
- Yandy Díaz
- Lucius Fox
- Wander Franco
- Brandon Lowe
- Nate Lowe
- José Martínez
- Kevin Padlo
- Esteban Quiroz
- Daniel Robertson
- Taylor Walls
- Joey Wendle
Outfielders
- Randy Arozarena
- Dylan Cozens
- Kevin Kiermaier
- Ryan LaMarre
- Josh Lowe
- Manuel Margot
- Austin Meadows
- Brian O’Grady
- Hunter Renfroe
- Yoshi Tsutsugo
The Rays are the first team to announce their 60-player pool, and they’ve opted to fill all 60 spots—30 pitchers and 30 position players. We’ll see how many teams choose to leave some slots open; clubs aren’t required to use all 60 roster spots. There aren’t many surprises for the Rays, who will essentially carry their 40-man roster alongside many of the same non-roster veterans and prospects who were relevant in the first iteration of Spring Training. Wander Franco, regarded as the top prospect in baseball, will train with the club thanks to his inclusion in the player pool, though that’s far from an indication that he’ll appear at the MLB level this year. The only 40-man player who isn’t included here is Brett Honeywell, who is still recovering from an ulnar nerve procedure.
How many Catchers each team places on their roster is interesting
4/5 was what I was thinking for most teams.
Interesting that the Rays went with 5
the team burned through them last year. catcher is the one position where you cant be caught without depth, so 5 is a good safe bet.
At one point last year the reds were on their 5th string catcher maybe even 6th
Last year, the Rays had four catchers injured within two weeks. in early May. It was nuts. This is how they tpok Travis D’Arnaud off the scrap heap- he had an excellent year. That recent history may have influenced their decision.
ayy good on Cozens
That’s a lot of Lowes. How Lowe can you go?
Only two. That’s not a lot, nor is it uncommon.
Three – Nate, Brandon, and Josh. The Rays have really hit a Lowe point.
Well done
Technically on two Lowes. One is a Lowe. It’s pronounce like Lowe while the other two are pronounced like Lowe. Hope that helps.
That outfield though
Trying not to get overly excited about the season (considering what’s happening in FL right now) but let’s not forget about that infield & pitching! Now, if we could just get SOME offense out of the black hole at catcher…….
Which is funny to me cause I liked zunion with us then he cratered again. The man can catch but he strikes out a ton
Does this mean that snell will be playing
Promote Wander you cowards!
hasnt played above A-ball yet…
No need to rush him with the log jam at infield in Tampa