Rays Minor League Baseball Blog

The Bulls had another nice year and while they’re mostly known for their pitching, the Bulls had their share of solid hitters as well.  Here were the best hitters on the 2011 team.

Russ Canzler – Canzler led the team in just about everything.  He hit 18 home runs, drove in 83 and he scored 78 runs.  With his home runs came 40 doubles and that was all good for a .930 OPS in 131 games.  He also led the team with 67 walks.  Of course Canzler is blocked by Evan Longeria so it’ll be interesting to see what the Bulls do with Canzler.

Brandon Guyer – Guyer was almost as good as Canzler, he just didn’t play in as many games.  He had fourteen  home runs and he was tied with Canzler with 78 runs.  He struck out less then Canzler, but he also walked less and it all worked into a .905 OPS.  He does have some speed and he finished with sixteen steals and five triples.  Guyer struggled with the big league club but he should compete for an outfield job with the Rays next year.

Dan Johnson – Johnson is no longer a prospect but he’s turned into a Four-A player.  Still, he had a solid season with thirteen home runs in 93 games.  He did walk 58 times and struck out just 65 times which was a nice rate and he finished with an .842 OPS.

John Sickels put out his Tampa Bay Rays Top 20 prospect list and there’s some studs at the top.    Sickels uses a grade ranking and at the of the list is Matt Moore with an A.  This guy is an ace in waiting and he’s major league ready and having this guy in the rotation is just going to make the Rays better.

Number two is Hak-Ju Lee who got a B+.  The shortstop has moved up the chain and he’s getting closer and closer to making his big league debut.  Alexander Torres (B, LHP), Alex Colome (RHP, B) and Taylor Guerrieri (RHP, B) round out the top five.

The Bulls have their share of pitching prospects and while some of these guys have already graduated to the Rays, the Bulls still had their share of pitching stars.

Alexander Torres – Topping the list is the soon to be 24 year old Alexander Torres.  He struck out 156 in 146 1/3 innings but the walks are still a concern.  He finished with 83 walks.  He did have a 9-7 record with a very nice 3.08 and it all got him a short stint with the Rays in 2011.

Dane De La Rosa – Dane was one of the better relievers for the Rays.  He had a 3.20 ERA and he struck out 83 in 70 1/3 innings.  He also struggled in his short time with the Rays and he’s well past the point of being a prospect but you always want a guy or two like this hanging in Triple A in the event the pen has a rash of injuries.

Rob Delaney – Delaney led the team with thirteen saves and he had a very nice 1.86 ERA.  He struck out 57 in 67 2/3 innings and while he only gave up three home runs, he didn’t have a great ground ball ratio.