With the 2020 MlB Season in doubt, the league still held its annual draft. Since the Tampa Bay Rays did pretty well last season, winning 96 games, the team had the 24th and 37th picks in the first round.
Scouting this season was even harder due to COVID 19 cutting many baseball seasons shot as well as not being able to physically scout players. The Rays pride themselves on having great scouting and building the team through the draft, rather than paying big money free agents like our AL East Rivals.
With the 24th pick the Rays selected Nick Bitsko RHP out of Central Bucks High School East. A lot of data on him was collected on the soon to be 18 year old virtually, with him throwing pitches up to 98 MPH. With his eligibility changing, he was projected to be the top prospect of the 2021 Draft, so if you look at it that way Bitsko is a steal. Some believe he doesn’t have the stuff to be a starting pitcher in the league but after a few years in the Minor Leagues, I am sure he will be a great addition to the already stacked Rays pitching staff.
With the 37th and final pick of the first round the Tampa Bay Rays selected Alika Williams SS out of Arizona State. Some felt the Rays might have reached on Williams, but I think the club was drawn to his skills on the defensive side of the field. His hitting is lacking but I think being on the same team as the No.1 pick Spencer Torkelson hid some of his offensive deficiencies. Last season he had a .333 average and was walked more than he actually got hits. If the Rays use him more from a defense aspect, I think he will be better off. With top prospect Wander Franco already playing his SS position and on the brink of being called up to the Majors, I think we won’t be seeing Williams in Rays gear for a minute. Plus team leader Willy Adames is already a staple in the organization so we are good from a SS perspective.
With the Rays remaining picks I’d like to seen them beef up the closing pitching rotation. Also other than Choi I feel the club always lacks when it comes to hitting power. I would like to see them pick up a big bat in one of the later rounds.