Price's dazzling debut
Top pick LHP David Price impressed many in his Rays debut Saturday at Legends Field.
The hard-throwing lefty entered in the seventh, hitting the first batter, then stricking out the next three. For some, they weren't even close. In front of a stadium-record crowd of over 10,000 - on the same field with several Future Hall of Famers - Price stole the show.
Price clocked 97-98 mph according to the Yes Network, and at one time 99 mph. The Rays had him from 95-97, with several veterans in the clubhouse hooting and hollering while watching on TV.
"There's a lot of adrenaline, of course, being utilized. I liked it," Manager Joe Maddon said. "The delivery was good the ball was down it was alive at the end. And its all about his composure he walks in this was his first professional and he walsk out there like hes pitching against Clemson on a Saturday. That’s what I saw."
Price faced some hitters with big league experience, including Wilson Betemit. The Yankees he faced were not only impressed by his 97-plus mph fastball, but a nasty slider that reached 87.
"There were a couple of guys in there that had considerable major league experience that didn’t really have much of a chance," Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "Pretty impressive, period, but very impressive for the first time."
For more, check out Sunday's Times
-- JOE SMITH
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
Hey guys. Check this out from ESPN's blog...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=spring_training
RAYS' EYES PEELED TO PRICE (5:08 p.m. ET)
Rays starter Matt Garza had something more important on his mind than discussing his second spring outing with reporters.
"We have to make this quick," said Garza, who allowed one hit in three scoreless inning against the Yankees. "David Price is pitching next inning."
Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, made his spring training debut Saturday, leaving the Rays glued to the TV in the visiting clubhouse in Tampa, Fla. Carl Crawford said Price was going to hit the first batter he faced because he had so much adrenaline pumping.
The first pitch Price unleashed was a 98-mph fastball to Francisco Cervelli for a called strike. "Oh, snap!" Garza yelled. Was that 98? Damn, he's bringing the heat!"
Price hit Cervelli with his next pitch. "I told you he was gonna get hit," Crawford said.
Price then struck out Shelley Duncan, Jason Lane and Wilson Betemit to end his inning. When Betemit flailed at the 17th and final pitch of Price's outing, the entire clubhouse erupted.
About two minutes later, Price entered the clubhouse, huffing and puffing, receiving congratulations from his teammates before disappearing for treatment. His first outing against major leaguers was deemed a success.
-- Amy K. Nelson, ESPN.com
Posted by: Mike Creyton | March 08, 2008 at 10:48 PM
This guy's the real deal. I think we'll see him at the Trop THIS year. Summer.
Posted by: Joe | March 08, 2008 at 07:25 PM