2003 Organizational Leaders
Batting average: Matt Diaz, .354
Home runs: Vince Harrison, 19
Runs batted in: Matt Diaz, 86
Stolen bases: Joey Gathright, 69
ERA: Chad Gaudin, 1.81
Wins: Scott Autrey, 14
Strikeouts: Jose Veras, 121
Saves: Lee Gardner, 30
2003 Organizational Record
League (Level) Team W L PCT
International (AAA) Durham* 73 67 .521
Southern (AA) Orlando 65 72 .474
California (A) Bakersfield 70 70 .500
S. Atlantic (A) Charleston-SC 77 62 .554
NY-Penn (SS) Hudson Valley 37 37 .500
Appalachian (R) Princeton 23 41 .359
Total 345 349 .497
* Won league championship
Five Faves
Dewon Brazelton, RHP
A year after making it to the big leagues in his first pro season, the bottom
fell out from under Brazelton in 2003. He struggled to a 1-6 mark with the
Devil Rays, then was sent all the way back down to Bakersfield to retool his
delivery. Perhaps it worked, because Brazelton was arguably the best pitcher
in the recently completed Arizona Fall League. He struck out 36 in 33
regular-season innings and topped it off with six shutout frames in the AFL
Championship Game. His performance probably vaulted him back into
consideration for the Rays' 2004 rotation.
Rocco Baldelli, OF
There were a few people who raised their eyebrows when Baldelli made the
Devil Rays out of Spring Training, just one year after beginning the season
with Bakersfield in the High-A California League. Even when he started out
hot, many waited for him to fade. Baldelli did slow down in the second half,
but still ended up with a .289 average, 11 home runs, 78 RBIs and 27 steals,
good enough for a third-place finish in the AL ROY voting. There's still room
for improvement, as his 128/30 K/BB ratio would indicate, but the 22-year-old
already appears to be on his way to big-league stardom.
Jason Standridge, RHP
Things didn't exactly work out as planned for Standridge. After competing for
a spot in the Rays rotation last spring, the right-hander began the year on
Durham's DL with shoulder tendinitis. He got called up in June, but was
demoted to the bullpen and then back to Triple-A at the end of July. Now 25,
it's a question of how many more opportunities the former first rounder will
get with the big club.
Josh Hamilton, OF
The top pick of the 1999 draft, Hamilton has made a habit of alternating his
success on the field with frustrating stretches of injury-induced inactivity.
All of that went out the window in 2003, however, as Hamilton was given a
season-long leave of absence and put on the restricted list to deal with some
personal issues. There were reports of clinical depression, but Hamilton did
make it back to start working out with the Triple-A team in August. Keep in
mind that Hamilton is still only 22. If he can overcome these recent obstacles
, there's still a lot of potential to be realized.
Seth McClung, RHP
Things started out well for McClung, as he impressed enough to make his way
into 12 games with the big-league club in April and May. The hulking
right-hander held opponents to a .241 batting average, and he even won three
of five starts when given a chance to move into the rotation. But what started
as a strained right elbow and a visit to the 15-day DL snowballed into
something much worse -- a date with Dr. Lewis Yocum for season-ending Tommy
John surgery. Depending on his progress, McClung may be able to make it back
for some late-season work in 2004.
Cinderella story
Jonny Gomes, OF
Even though he suffered a heart attack last offseason, the unheralded Gomes
was able to continue his surprising climb to the top. He slugged 17 homers in
120 games with Double-A Orlando, spent five games with Durham, then proceeded
to go 2-for-3 in his Major League debut at Yankee Stadium on September 12.
Gomes followed all this up by hitting .295 with eight homers in the Arizona
Fall League. At this pace, the 23-year-old is likely to figure into the Rays'
outfield/DH plans in 2004.
2003 draft recap
1. Delmon Young, OF
Young signed too late to get any professional time under his belt, so in an
unusual move, the Devil Rays sent the No. 1 overall pick to the Arizona Fall
League. Matched up against some of the top prospects in the country, the high
schooler hit .417 with a homer and seven RBIs in 48 at-bats. This may have
shortened the timetable for him to be Major League ready, but he understandably
was lacking a little in the plate discipline area. He swung at just about
everything in the AFL, something that will get exposed as he continues to move
up the minor league ladder.
2. James Houser, LHP
Houser was considered one of the top high school left-handers heading into
2003, but a heart murmur and an unrelated loss of velocity dropped him to the
second round. He appeared to be fully healthy during his time in the
Appalachian League, however, and compensated for the lack of sizzle on his
fastball by utilizing a deceptive delivery and excellent command. In 41
innings, Houser struck out 44, walked 13 and posted a 3.73 ERA. He'll likely
get a crack at low-A ball in 2004.
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