ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Fans enjoy the stingray tank during the sixth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 29, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

3 Tampa Bay Rays prospects that could be on the move

3 Tampa Bay Rays prospects that could be on the move by Austin Reimann

The Tampa Bay Rays recently made a trade with the Seattle Mariners to acquire Mike Zunino and Guillermo Heredia along with a LHP prospect named Michael Plassmeyer. Lets get to know the new Rays prospect…

After turning heads during his junior year at University of Missouri, Michael Plassmeyer climbed many organization’s draft boards. Selected in the 4th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Plassmeyer, a left-handed pitcher decided to forego his senior year and sign with the Seattle Mariners. The Tampa Bay Rays recently acquired him in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.

Plassmeyer led the Tigers of Mizzou in games started, innings pitched, and strikeouts in 2018. Across 91.1 innings pitched, Plassmeyer had a 3.06 ERA fantastic K/BB ratio of 103/17.

In his first season of professional baseball with the Mariners’ short season single A affiliate, the Everett AquaSox Plassmeyer was even better than he was at Mizzou. Over 24 innings pitched, the lefty struck out 44 and only walked 4. An 11/1 strikeout to walk ratio is as good as it gets. He posted a 2.25 ERA and .83 WHIP. He was also named a midseason Northwest League All Star.

As for a scouting report, he employs a high three-quarter arm slot. He relies on his reliable above average control of the strike zone. At Mizzou, Plassmeyer lived in the upped 80’s and lower 90’s, occasionally bumping it up to 92 MPH in some starts.

As for his off speed pitches, Plassmeyer relies on a sharp slider and a changeup that is a little less consistent. According to MLB.com, the lefty likes to throw inside despite the lack of really good swing and miss stuff.

Plassmeyer may lack an overall high ceiling but could prove to be an effective back-end of the rotation starter. Although he lacks the high velocity and wipe out off speed pitches, Plassmeyer misses bats and fills up the zone. Sounds like Yarborough, does it not?

He has been described as a winner and has been assigned to the Rays short season affiliate Hudson valley Renegades. I have feeling he will develop into a prototypical “bulk” guy for the Rays.

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Michael Plassmeyer could be an under the radar acquisition who could prove good dividends down the road.

Welcome to the Rays Michael.