Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Rays

Not only have the Kevin Cash Rays teams been good...they've been interesting. It's not like the Cardinals, where they're good in the face of mediocrity or whatever- the Rays have so many individual pieces to talk about that made them a great team this year. And the best part is they're not relying on many contracts- the established stars that were here this year (Garcia, Sogard, Aguilar) were never permanent...although having one perennial guy like Charlie Morton certainly helps.

Yonny Chirinos was given a larger starting role this year, despite injury, and had a 3.54 ERA in 18 starts, with a 1.045 WHIP. Chirinos is still being used both as a starter AND a reliever due to the fluidity of Cash's pitching, but he's still figured out how to stick around
Why Him in 2019?: Had a better, and more versatile, year than 2018 ace Blake Snell
2020 Prediction: A full year, with an ERA closer to 4.

After breaking through in 2018, Joey Wendle took a backseat to new additions like Brandon Lowe, but he still came through when he could, hitting .235 with 18 RBIs in 75 games.
Why Him in 2019?: His demotion/injury made way for Brandon Lowe to take over.
2020 Prediction: Will embrace a utility role until an injury puts him back into the forefront.

Another amusing rookie infielder post-Lowe was Mike Brosseau, the infield bat who hit .273 with 6 homers in 50 games. Brosseau was also the starting 2nd baseman in Tampa's wild card game against Oakland.
Why Him in 2019?: Took over for Lowe after the injury.

And then there's the other rookie named Lowe, Nate Lowe, who hit more for power than the other guy with that name. Nate hit 7 homers and 19 RBIs in 50 games, and gave the team a bit more corner infield mobility.
Why Him in 2019?: Hit .313 in July with 12 RBIs, and fueled the Rays' comeback after dropping to 2nd.
2020 Prediction: More starts at 1B/DH

And now for the bullpen standouts. And there are a ton. Like last year, Ryan Yarbrough was the resident long man, notching 141 innings, which was more than any starter not named Morton. Yarbs also had an 11-5 record, also impressive for a long man, and had 117 strikeouts, third most on the staff. This guy is being used so impeccably by Cash and co. that he blurs the line between starter and reliever.
Why Him in 2019?: Most effective long reliever in the MLB
2020 Prediction: Probably more of the same, with maybe an ASG for his efforts.

Colin Poche was the more traditional setup man type, and despite his 4.70 ERA he still has 72 strikeouts in 51 innings. He also allowed only 31 hits, a low for all Rays pitchers who pitched over 50 innings this year.
Why Him in 2019?: Led all non-closer, non-Yarbs relievers in WHIP.
2020 Prediction: A lower ERA, but a less prevalent year

And then you have Chaz Roe, who fared slightly better with a 4.06 ERA, and seemed to be the Rays' expert on coming in for exactly one batter.
Why Him in 2019?: Gave up the fewest amount of homers of all relievers with 40+ innings.
2020 Prediction: His role will change following the limit on batters per reliever.

An amusing experiment was the saga of Brendan McKay, brought in to start games and occasionally be a two-way player. This didn't go perfectly well, as McKay had a 5.14 ERA and a .200 average.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved that Michael Lorenzen and Shohei Ohtani are just really dang talented.
2020 Prediction: Will have more of the same material before a trade.

Speaking of trades, perhaps the smartest one the Rays made is the one that brought Nick Anderson and Trevor Richards to Tampa. While Richards seemed to be the draw, he only pitched 7 games, started 3. Nick Anderson on the other hand, the deadly Miami reliever, fared way better, getting right back to his tricks with a 2.11 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 21 appearances.
Why Him in 2019?: Biggest relief boost after losing Kolarek.
2020 Prediction: An ASG gig and a lot of major relief accolades are coming this guy's way.

And the other amusing get at the deadline was Jesus Aguilar, who wasn't hitting in Milwaukee, and in Tampa...he hit a little better. .261 in 37 games with 16 RBIs. He's definitely not a dead bat, and Miami will bank on him for 2020.
Why Him in 2019?: Primary DH for the postseason run
2020 Prediction: Will hit 25 home runs in Miami, but not for average.

Coming Tonight: So I have a lot for Xmas Eve, so tonight's will be some remnants of a Red Sox season that didn't go as planned.