Update: The Rays have a significant springtime opportunity for Jonathan Aranda.
She has also assisted her dad, who is 25 years old, in concentrating on his future. With Brady North serving as an assistant hitting coach, Aranda stated, “It has definitely changed a little bit.” Since I’m now taking care of her and our family first, it’s a little simpler.
Aranda stated that altering his mental approach to the game was a component of his offseason preparation.
Aranda remarked, “I tried to understand like, you know, whatever I do, I do.” “I just move on and keep accepting the day to day whether I’m having a good or bad day.”
Aranda is facing a significant opportunity. The Rays will be watching this spring to see whether he can replicate his success in the majors after he dominated at the highest minor-league levels. They’re hoping that Aranda can fill the void left by Luke Raley, another left-handed hitter, in terms of pinch hitting and designated hitter duties against righties.
During the previous two seasons at Triple-A Durham, Aranda hit.328 with a slugging percentage of.564, raking in 43 home runs. But in 66 big-league games and 190 plate appearances, he has only hit .212 with four home runs and a slugging percentage of.345.
Aranda acknowledged that he is a hitter who needs consistency, so he is excited to have consistent at-bats this spring. He spent the winter playing first, second, and third base on defense.
Aranda’s little stint in the major leagues has taught him a lot, and he knows that this is his chance to make the most of it. He remarked, “I know I can play it, but I know I’m grateful for the opportunity.” “I’m going to be prepared for this chance.”
Big Year Two
Despite having had one of his greatest seasons recently, right-hander Zach Eflin isn’t content. Last season, Eflin recorded a career-best 3.50 ERA and a career-high 177โ innings pitched, his first with the Rays. It was a revitalizing experience for Eflin, who is enjoying his first spring training in Port Charlotte.
“After a bullpen session at Charlotte Sports Park on Sunday, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more refreshed during an offseason and then to come into a spring training,” Eflin remarked. “It felt good to finally toss a healthy, consistent number of innings.” Ultimately, though, this is still not where I want to be. Naturally, one of our goals as starting pitchers is to pitch at least 200 innings, and I hope to do that this year.
Although they were happy with Eflin’s output from the previous season, the Rays still support his innings objective. Manager Kevin Cash stated, “I think he pitched better than we could have anticipated, and we knew we were getting a really good pitcher.”
wholesome Yandy
On Sunday, first baseman Yandy Diaz flaunted a shorter hairstyle and what the Rays think is a more toned physique. He spent most of 2023 recovering from a groin ailment, so in the offseason he worked on improving his agility.
“Our infielders strive to have that first-step quickness,” stated Cash. “I believe the groin injury that crept in is behind us; he was able to manage that throughout the entire season.” It seriously made it more difficult for him to perform the tasks he needed to in the weight room.
“I am encouraged by the videos of him doing agility drills that I received this offseason.”