Rays to target offensive depth in draft

The Devil Rays are expected to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the first pick of Thursday's draft. But once they get to their second selection, 64 picks and an estimated four hours of ESPN2 babbling later, they will be looking beyond the mound.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published June 3, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays are expected to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the first pick of Thursday's draft. But once they get to their second selection, 64 picks and an estimated four hours of ESPN2 babbling later, they will be looking beyond the mound.

After dedicating several drafts to adding pitching to their system, the Rays are ready to shift their emphasis back to the field.

"I think we need to replenish our position players, " scouting director R.J. Harrison said. "A lot of those good young players we've talked about for years are here now playing in this ballpark, though that's not to say we don't have some coming (such as Reid Brignac and Evan Longoria).

"I think we did a good job building up our depth in pitching. ... With the group of guys in Triple A, and the group throwing pretty good at Double A, and we've got two of the big horses in the organization pitching at (advanced Class A) Vero in Wade Davis and Jake McGee, and the staff at (Class A) Columbus is really good, you look at what they're doing, we've got some guys to really get excited about. I think pitching depth has all of a sudden become a strength. We just have to get some of those prospects to start becoming good major-league pitchers."

RAYS RUMBLINGS: James Shields earned not only heaps of praise from Jim Leyland - "I was tremendously impressed. ... He's the real deal. ... He's very good." - but further consideration for the AL All-Star pitching staff, which the Tigers manager will pick. ... And how do the words "B.J. Upton" and "All-Star" look in the same sentence? ... ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Rays are "floating" Elijah Dukes' name in trade talks to get him "a fresh start" and them "a decent, badly needed bullpen arm." ... The man who last week seemingly interfered with 3B Akinori Iwamura's effort to catch a popup, Mark Wallinga, e-mailed the Detroit News to brag he's a transplanted Tigers fan who indeed was trying to help his team. ... Guessing the Rays probably don't look quite as bad to Lou Piniella these days? ... Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice says what the struggling Astros need most is the return of Rays exec Gerry Hunsicker, "easily the most popular general manager in the history" of Houston pro sports. ... Rehabbing OF Rocco Baldelli said he may change his running style but not his position. ... A big name for the Rays to keep in mind in trade talks: C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, whom the Braves say is available. ... There is a Vote for Carl Crawford group on facebook.com, encouraging All-Star votes. ... Perhaps in preparation for ex-Ray Toby Hall's upcoming return to the Trop, equipment manager Chris Westmoreland is sporting blond highlights. ... So much for the Rays being the favorite team in South Korea.

Fast Facts:

Price check

Some interesting tidbits about David Price:

- Rather than coasting through his final month of college life, he took a three-hours-a-day Religious Studies class and enrolled for fall classes because he is determined to get his sociology degree.

- When R.J. Harrison gave Price his choice of restaurants for a recent dinner, Price picked Logan's Roadhouse, an inexpensive chain featuring grilled chicken, ribs and burgers. "A cheap date, " Harrison cracked.

- He was drafted in 2004 by the Dodgers in the 19th round but was intent on going to Vanderbilt.

- He grew up in Murfreesboro, Tenn., starred at Blackman High School (0.43 ERA, 151 Ks), watched the Braves a lot, considers David Justice the greatest player of all time and (endearing himself to Gators fans) hates the University of Tennessee.

- His father, Bonnie, manages a warehouse, and his mother, Debbie, is a vice president and accountant for a health care company.

[Last modified June 2, 2007, 23:00:50]