Follow the Prospects: Robbie Ray, LHP

[Smithian]

Money + paid education (likely) versus college and maybe even less money? I'll take option A. Better to fool them early and make money versus showing them the truth and making less.

More like Arkansas could use a top #2 starter behind Ryne Stanek

I'm biased.

[sportsfan882]

Robbie Ray had a decent start today in Potomac

6 IP 5 H 3 R 2 ER 1 BB 7 K

[Slateman]

Sounds great, call him up.

[Glockypoo]

Another nice outing (other than the walks).

6IP, 4H, R, ER, 4BB, 4K.

Would be nice to see him creep back into legit prospect status.

[sportsfan882]

Good outing today:

6 IP 2 H 1 ER 4 BB 10 K

[welch]

Ray is starting to be worth tracking.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Updating 1st post to show his 2013 assigment to high A Potomac.

[Lintyfresh85]

Another solid night.

6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K

[cmdterps44]

The name Robbie Ray is so badass.

[hammondsnats]

say good day to robbie ray

[Slateman]

Call. Him. Up.

[cmdterps44]

say good day to robbie ray

Exactly.

[sportsfan882]

Mixed bag for Ray tonight:

5 IP 4 H 2 ER 4 BB 7 K

ERA is at 1.85

[Mr Clean]

So far tonight:  4 IP  2 hits 1 run  7 Ks

[zimm_da_kid]

Any report's on his velocity and movement so far this year?

[Lintyfresh85]

Any report's on his velocity and movement so far this year?

Slower but better control. All by design according to Nats Prospects.

http://nationalsprospects.com/2013/05/first-impressions-3/

Robbie Ray – After a dreadful 2012, Ray seems to have put it behind him. The most noticeable change is that he seems to be sacrificing speed for the sake of command. That may not please the velo-hungry folks, but instead of trying to throw 92-94 inaccurately, he’s having success with working 88-90 and hitting his spots.

[nobleisthyname]

Hey if it works it works. Not everybody needs to be a Strasburg or Zimmermann. Being a lefty helps too.

[Mr Clean]

2 IP  0 hits  5 Ks   so far tonight.

[sportsfan882]

Odd start

3 IP 2 H 2 ER 2 BB 7 K (61 pitches)

[zimm_da_kid]

injury?  jam?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Michael Hurcomb's "5 on the Farm" notes in Scott White's CBS sports fantasy Down on theFarm" write up:

Robbie Ray, SP, Nationals
Affiliate: Class A Potomac
2013 stats:3-2, 2.42 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 64 strikeouts, 23 walks, 28 hits and two home runs allowed in nine starts (48 1/3 innings)
Striking out 11.9 batters and allowing 5.2 hits per nine innings is going to garner attention. Ray was just a blip on the radar entering the season after the left-hander went 4-12 with a 6.56 ERA last season for Potomac, but the spotlight has quickly turned his way thanks to a fast start. When rehabbing with Potomac, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman told The Washington Post Ray throws "a lot fastballs," has "a good, easy motion" and has "a chance to be really good." That's quite the endorsement coming from an established major-league All-Star. Ray said he was "put in (his) place" last year because he didn't take the opposition serious. Ray would leave his pitches up in the strike zone and aggressive hitters took advantage. The Nationals changed Ray's mechanics. He went from a low-three quarters delivery to a high three-quarters arm angle, and he added more twist to the motion. The alterations have given Ray more consistent location with his pitches and a more deceptive motion. The Nationals are loaded with pitching prospects -- A.J. Cole, Lucas Giolito, Nathan Karns, Matt Purke, Sammy Solis -- but if Ray continues down this path, he might surge toward the top of the list.

[zimm_da_kid]

He'll likely get a promotion to AA at the minor league all star break.

[Lintyfresh85]

Will see Ray in person today. As always will report back with my thoughts.

[Smithian]

Will see Ray in person today. As always will report back with my thoughts.

Very interested to hear.

[Lintyfresh85]

Sitting next to Cole and Solis.

Solis seems like a super nice guy. Cole doesn't say much.