PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- In their search to upgrade their lineup without diminishing their defense at three key spots up the middle, the Rays made two additions: catcher Danny Jansen and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. For the final spot, they believe they already had the solution on their roster.
When the Rays traded Jose Siri to the Mets in November, they effectively handed the starting center-field job to Jonny DeLuca. The 26-year-old had an awkward introduction to Tampa Bay last year, coming over in the Tyler Glasnow trade, getting hurt in Spring Training, then struggling to find his footing after a red-hot first week with the team in early May.
But now, center field belongs to DeLuca. He¡¯s ready for the opportunity.
¡°It¡¯s huge just having the staff and guys believe in me, that I can be in center field. Obviously I believe I can be there,¡± DeLuca said Saturday, after hitting in the batting cage during his first morning in Spring Training camp. ¡°There¡¯s still so much more in the tank. I¡¯m excited to get the regular playing time. I know what I can do.¡±
DeLuca played terrific defense all over the outfield last year (57 games in right, 43 in center, 12 in left), ranking in the 93rd percentile among outfielders in Outs Above Average and the 88th percentile in overall Fielding Run Value, according to Statcast. He showed elite speed and a strong arm and wowed the Rays with leaping catches.
¡°I think he shows a passion to go out there and be really good, knows that he can change a game with his speed covering ground and with his arm,¡± manager Kevin Cash said. ¡°I also think he takes pride in the fine details of outfield play; he wants to be very fundamentally sound with everything.¡±
Offensively, last year was a battle for DeLuca. His right hand was broken when he was hit by a pitch in March, then he went 7-for-18 with 10 RBIs in his first five games back in May. Then came a cold spell, and he was hitting just .169 with a .513 OPS by July 25.
With Randy Arozarena traded and Richie Palacios injured, DeLuca got more consistent work the rest of the way. That helped him feel more comfortable. And sure enough, he was more productive, hitting .265/.315/.392 over his final 50 games.
Still, DeLuca never felt quite like himself at the plate last year, which could have been a product of his fractured hand or some mechanical changes he made last offseason. He wasn¡¯t properly using his powerful lower body and wasn¡¯t putting himself in a good position to see pitches, saying his ¡°foundation was kind of broken.¡±
¡°Why did I make those changes, you¡¯d ask? I don¡¯t know,¡± he said. ¡°Maybe trying to do too much at the big league level and not thinking I had enough in me to be at this level.¡±
But DeLuca knows otherwise now. So, he rebuilt his foundation this winter and switched back to what worked in the past, like when he hit .271/.359/.528 across five seasons in the Minors.
¡°I¡¯m not going to sell out for power, but I know there¡¯s more power in the tank just from the Minor League numbers and just knowing myself,¡± he said. ¡°Definitely more slug in there and just better ABs consistently.¡±
Camp notes
? Right-hander Jacob Waguespack faced hitters in a live batting practice session Saturday morning at Charlotte Sports Park. Waguespack experienced a wide range of emotions last season, from the joy of cracking Tampa Bay¡¯s Opening Day roster to the frustration of missing time due to right shoulder and back injuries.
Waguespack, who is competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster after receiving a $1.3 million extension, is being shortened up to serve in a multi-inning relief role. He pitched out of the bullpen for Triple-A Durham last September and saw his stuff tick up, giving him and the Rays reason to think he could thrive in a similar role this year.
¡°I¡¯ll do whatever we need on this team, and I know that¡¯s my role,¡± Waguespack said. ¡°Going to the bullpen, I can really just focus on myself and being prepared every day. I¡¯ll have a lighter workload, so hopefully that¡¯s good on my body. I¡¯m excited, man. I really am.¡±
? Former White Sox slugger Eloy Jiménez arrived Saturday, looking fit after dropping 25-30 pounds during the offseason. In camp on a non-roster deal, the 28-year-old will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
? The Rays held a shorter workout on Saturday, giving players and coaches time to travel north for Fan Fest. Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz and Edwin Uceta were among those who threw in the bullpen, and offseason trade acquisition Joe Boyle stood out during his session.