Rays’ Snell Puts On A Show In Debut

ST. PETERSBURG—Even though lefthander Blake Snell wasn’t particularly sharp during his five-inning look in big league camp this spring, Rays officials had a pretty good feeling he was close to being ready to pitch in the majors.

Then, when summoned as a spot starter to make his debut on April 23, the 23-year-old Snell put on a show at Yankee Stadium.

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What the top prospect did was impressive enough. He worked five solid innings, allowing one run, two singles and a walk while striking out six. He showed a fastball that regularly hit 95 mph and a loopy curve that appeared to break about four feet.

“You can see why there is so much buzz about him,” Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said. “I thought he had a really live arm. He’s got a good breaking ball.

“I’m sure he’s got a really bright future. I’m not looking forward to having to continue to face him, a guy in our division with an arm like that.”

Snell’s bosses were impressed with how he did it, lauding his composure and poise as well as his attention to detail, such as holding runners close.

Beyond that, big league manager Kevin Cash said, was his impressive approach.

“He showed zero fear whatsoever,” Cash said. “He was just not concerned about shying away from contact. I thought he threw every pitch with strike intent, to get a swing.

“And I don’t know if you see a ton of young pitchers who take that approach. A lot of guys who come up (think), ‘Let me see if I can paint this edge right here.’ And they’re probably not capable of doing it, but they try it.

“I don’t think Blake even though about that. He was like: ‘Here it is. Hit it. My stuff’s really good.’ ”

The Rays optioned Snell, a supplemental first-round pick in 2011 from high school in Shoreline, Wash., back to Triple-A Durham after the start. While Tampa Bay won’t need a regular fifth starter until mid-May, Snell’s start certainly presents one intriguing option.

COOL RAYS

• The Rays called up reliever Jhan Marinez on April 24. The righthander had not appeared in the majors since 2012, though he pitched well at Durham in 2015.

• The Rays lost a bit of upper-level depth when both catcher Luke Maile (hamstring) and outfielder Mikie Mahtook (oblique/lat) went on the Durham disabled list in April.