How're They Doin' — Update

Days to first Durham Bulls Game (@ Gwinnett) — 30

Days to Home Opener — 37

At the end of February we set up a players to watch list based on some really simple math. In our first update we cribbed off some of Cork Gaines’ work over at Rays Index. Cork has updated his table based on playing time, but I thought it might be interesting to look at some basic stats.

This table is sorted by Plate Appearances (at bats, walks, hit by pitch). Stats are from the Rays website, here.

A couple of things jump out.

• Recently signed infielder Felipe Lopez is having one heck of a Spring. You’ve got to think that injured Elliot Johnson is worried about an infielder job if Lopez keeps this up.
• Justin Ruggiano is doing OK, but if this article is accurate, there’s not a lot of room for him on the Rays’ roster.

“If I do go back to Durham, it will be my fifth year there,” Ruggiano said Sunday. “I don’t know if there’s any other player who has spent five consecutive years in Triple-A with the same organization.”

Suddenly, the Rays are pretty well stocked in the outfield behind their projected starters and platoon players. Desmond Jennings, 24, stole 37 bases last year at Durham while hitting .278 and is getting closer. And the Rays added Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer from the Cubs organization.

• We Bulls fans really like J.J. Furmaniak. Sure wish he were having a better Spring.
• Leslie Anderson is getting very little playing time. Sure looks like he’s on the verge of being cut loose.

On the other hand this is a really tiny sample and the Rays are doing really poorly as a team this Spring (they’ve only won two games out of ten). Nevertheless, every reason to think that most, if not all, of these players will be in Durham this April.