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Rays place SS Bartlett on DL; Select prospect Brignac from AAA Durham

Tampa Bay Rays

Placed SS Jason Bartlett on the 15-day disabled list; Recalled INF Ben Zobrist and selected SS Reid Brignac from Triple-A Durham; Optioned RHP Mitch Talbot to Triple-A Durham.

TG Analysis

As many have noted, Tampa Bay’s defense has shown dramatic improvement in 2008. The Rays are converting outs on balls put into play at a 72% clip, this after a historically poor (dare we say…Devilish) 66.2% showing in 2007. Bartlett’s offseason acquisition from Minnesota set off a series of positional switches that have worked out splendidly. Akinori Iwamura (+3 Fielding Runs Above Average) is fairing much better at the keystone than he did at the hot corner (- 12 FRAA in ‘07), while new third baseman and uber-prospect Evan Longoria is doing his best Brooks Robinson impression (+12 FRAA). B.J. Upton, something of a defensive vagabond prior to last year’s All-Star break (-8 FRAA at 2B in ‘07), has finally put the infield in his rearview mirror and is using his athleticism to play a plus center field (+7 FRAA).

While Bartlett has played a solid shortstop and has allowed others to transition to more suitable positions, Brignac could make things interesting for the front office if he impresses in Bartlett’s absence and then finishes the year strong in Durham.

Brignac, 22, is a lefty hitter with more sock than your garden-variety middle infielder. The 6-3, 170 pounder broke out in 2006, hitting .326/.380/.557 with 21 homers for High-A Visalia. While some of that was a California League mirage, Brignac followed up with a still-solid .260/.327/.433 showing last year for AA Montgomery. While his pop lessened (.231 ISO in ‘06, 173 in ‘07), he actually improved his walk rate (9.7%) and strikeout rate (15.7%) from his Visalia showing (7.7 BB%, 18 K%) while earning better marks for his defense from scouts. 2008 has been less impressive for Brignac, as his line stands at .265/.311/.431 at AAA Durham, walking in 7% of his plate appearances while whiffing at a 22% clip.

With Brignac earning adequate defensive reviews and possessing more offensive ability than the 28 year-old Bartlett (.256/.295/.293 in ‘08, .268/.332/.348 career), perhaps the Rays will be in a position to sacrifice some leather for some lumber in 2009.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 4th, 2008 at 8:50 am and is filed under Rays, Ben Zobrist, Reid Brignac, Jason Bartlett. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.