Players To Watch In 2009

Position Player To Watch: B.J. Upton
It will be another week or so before he makes his 2009 debut, but the Rays have no qualms about waiting a few more days for what should be a completely healthy Upton. That wasn't the case last season, as a nagging injury to his left shoulder hampered him at the plate throughout the year. Despite playing in 16 more games last year than he had in 2007, Upton's home run total plummeted from 24 to nine. He did his part to compensate by swiping 44 bases, double his 2007 total, but the Rays would love to see Upton regain the power stroke he brought out during the playoffs as he moves to the leadoff spot in the order.

Bench Player To Watch: Ben Zobrist
After shuttling up and down between Durham and Tampa Bay four times last season, Zobrist should be with the Rays for the duration this time around. His evolution from shortstop prospect to super-utility man seems complete, and he potentially could be pressed into action at every infield and outfield position at some point (he played everything but first base last year). When he's in the lineup, the Rays expect him to produce at the plate, perhaps offering up an alternate source of power. After hitting no more than eight homers in any of his previous four professional seasons, Zobrist smacked 12 in 62 games with the Rays last year, including four in four games the final weekend of the regular season in Detroit.

Starting Pitcher To Watch: Scott Kazmir
The mercurial lefty struck out more batters per nine innings than any AL starter and opponents hit only .220 against him last year, but he still considered 2008 a disappointment as far as his own performance was concerned. His tendency to rack up high pitch counts early in games and inability to get a feel for his slider plagued him throughout much of a season that started five weeks late thanks to spring training elbow problems. No longer considered the Rays' ace, it's up to Kazmir to reassert the dominance that his pure stuff should produce if he is using it efficiently.

Relief Pitcher To Watch: Troy Percival
The Rays demonstrated throughout the second half of last season that they could function without a regular closer, but having Percival healthy and effective would take a lot of the pressure off the rest of Tampa Bay's relief corps. Giving Joe Maddon the opportunity to mix and match the likes of Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and J.P. Howell each night based on situations and matchups while knowing that the ninth inning is spoken for would be a huge contribution for Percival. There is reason to believe he's ready to make it after an outstanding spring that has left him in the best physical shape he has attained in years.

GIVE THEM TIME
The Rays' talent reserves stretch deeper than the 25-man Opening Day roster. These players will open the season in the minors but could very well end up making an impact in the big leagues by the end of the 2009 campaign:

David Price, LHP
It's a matter of when he'll step into the Rays' rotation this season, not if. The game's top pitching prospect will rev up in Durham, building up his innings methodically, before the Rays bring him up and turn him loose as a starter.

Reid Brignac, IF
With Jason Bartlett and Akinori Iwamura up the middle, the Rays have a pair of regulars they feel comfortable playing basically every day. But if either were to wind up on the disabled list, Brignac probably would get his first legitimate shot at regular big-league time.

Wade Davis, RHP
The 23-year-old was very impressive during his stint in major-league camp during spring training and likely positioned himself for a call-up late this year. The Rays could even use Davis' power arm in September (and October?) the same way they used Price's last fall.

Justin Ruggiano, OF
He has the most big-league time of anyone on this list and just missed making the Opening Day roster as a reserve, which would make him an easy call-up if the Rays need an extra outfielder.