Sporting News staff reports
The St. Petersburg Times reports Rays prospects Sean Rodriguez, Reid Brignac and Matt Joyce are battling for two roster spots and one position—the position Ben Zobrist does not play.
In an oddity, Zobrist’s position won’t be determined by his play this spring. It will depend on what Rodriguez and Brignac show at second base or what Joyce does in right field. Zobrist can play either position, and play both equally well. So he’ll bide his time to see which of the three youngsters might emerge as a starter.
"For the most part, Joyce, Rodriguez and Brignac are competing for meaningful at-bats," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman told the newspaper. "Then the other two are probably competing for a spot on the team, and then the one will probably be in (triple-A) Durham."
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the final decision will be hard. "Maybe the toughest we’ve ever had to make," he said, "because we feel like they are all big league players right now."
Sporting News staff reports
The St. Petersburg Times reports Rays prospects Sean Rodriguez, Reid Brignac and Matt Joyce are battling for two roster spots and one position—the position Ben Zobrist does not play.
In an oddity, Zobrist’s position won’t be determined by his play this spring. It will depend on what Rodriguez and Brignac show at second base or what Joyce does in right field. Zobrist can play either position, and play both equally well. So he’ll bide his time to see which of the three youngsters might emerge as a starter.
"For the most part, Joyce, Rodriguez and Brignac are competing for meaningful at-bats," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman told the newspaper. "Then the other two are probably competing for a spot on the team, and then the one will probably be in (triple-A) Durham."
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the final decision will be hard. "Maybe the toughest we’ve ever had to make," he said, "because we feel like they are all big league players right now."