Rays need to figure out how to generate more power moving forward
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Rays need to figure out how to generate more power moving forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season, as they hold the second-best record (26-13) behind the Atlanta Braves (28-13). In their last 10 games, the Rays are 8-2 and had their seven-game winning streak end on May 8.
The Rays have had three winning streaks of six or more games three times this season. Despite all the success the Rays have had this season, the one area they have come up short in is hitting for power.
The Tampa Bay Rays need to improve their hitting for power to be a well-rounded team
According to MLB.com's Adam Berry, the Rays' "power production" will need to be figured out if they're to remain one of the best teams in baseball. The Rays are 23rd in slugging percentage this season (.373) and 25th in home runs, 32.
"The Rays are playing remarkably well, better than anyone expected when the season began, so it’s hard to find too much fault in anything they’re doing. But manager Kevin Cash recently noted that the lineup should have the ability to knock the ball out of the park more often than it has, and the numbers back that up. The Rays are tied for 26th in the Majors with 31 homers on the year, and their .373 slugging percentage is tied for 23rd. They’ve gotten by just fine with pitching, defense, timely hitting and athleticism on the basepaths. But it wouldn’t hurt to get a little more power at the plate from sources other than Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Díaz."
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Third baseman Junior Caminero is the team leader in home runs (11), while first baseman Jonathan Aranda (seven) and designated hitter Yandy Diaz (five) are not too far behind. The Rays ranked 14th in home runs last season (182) and 13th in slugging percentage (.401), but that came with the advantage of playing in a minor league ballpark (George M. Steinbrenner Field).
Possibly shifting back to their home ballpark of Tropicana Field could be a reason for the decreased power numbers. But adding another big bat to pair with Caminero could be in the Rays' plans at the trade deadline (Aug. 3).
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