Rays Keep Rolling – March to ALCS & World Series - RaysUp

Rays continue to win series: Mets, Tigers, & a strong start against the Royals.Cincinnati Reds’ Chase Burns strikes out the Yankees' top batters in the first inning. Chandler Simpson is back in the majors, though his defensive growth remains key2021 Rays roster that won 100 games - who remainsContrasts between veterans like Clayton Kershaw & players who never make it to free agency.Impact of MLB Cutting Minor League TeamsManfred’s reduction from 160 to 120 minor league teams has affected player development—especially for international players.Lost opportunities for Latin American players Rays’ workaround: sending talent to the Australian Baseball League (e.g., Junior Caminero).Latin American Pipeline ChallengesLimited playing time in complex leagues like the FCL (Florida Complex League) due to rehab assignments and draft influx.Some Players that are promoted too quickly, risking their development.Discussion on Rays’ strategic patience and international development system.Reduction in the number of minor league teams reduced the number of Latin America players Mat’s strategy for Merging minor league teams with collegiate teams Comparing the path to the majors of Jac Caglianone to that of Junior CamineroAustralian Baseball League Propose 2 collegiate teams associated with each MLB teamIdeal scenario of Yankees & Rays fighting it for the ALCS championship with the keys to George Steinbrenner Field given to the winnerThe Rays have gone “Old School” including bunting, running the basesUnknowable pitch of Chris Bubic’s “Ghost Pitch” – reminiscent of Brent Honeywell Yankees v Reds sneak peek – Elly De La CruzMat observes - pitchers that have a, a strong reliance on split fingers or sliders & throw them the hardest, tend to have the most surgeriesNeed to keep the Bullpen happyTrade Deadline - 8 to 10 days out before we see Trades start to come in Shortstops across Rays Minor Leaguers - Adrian Santanam Gregory Barriosm Carson Williams – also playing 3rd base as Ha-Seong Kim is currently SSRays path to replace Wander Franco includes trading Luke Raley trading for Jose Caballero has proven well worth his versatility from SS or anywhere on the fieldPraise to Rays Scouting & Analytical teams for discovering new talentFun new team names for proposed expansion teams to  Vancouver, The Killer Whales, Nashville, The Nashville WhiskiesWhat if the Kansas City Royals renamed themselves the Kansas City MonarchsA Montreal Expansion team could be the Montreal Royals these would reflect back on the history of the game in the Negro Leagues & Jackie RobinsonLosing the Expos names removes the stigma of the pastA trip to Kansas City to see the Royals & Negro League Baseball MuseumAlan Alford at Rickwood with Dusty BakerJack Stack’s as a must stop in Kansas City for BarbecueRays pitcher Drew Rasmussen’s has increased variations of his pitchingAvoiding predictability in pitching – Taj Bradley Tampa Baseball Museum with Larry Rothschild & Dave Magadan Coaches Corner We will soon see X-Rays now with the Athletics, Jeffrey Springs + Jacob Lopez who is leading K/9Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or Mark at  @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social‬ BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps