The 10-0 Tampa Bay Rays caught even more significant buzz on Tuesday. MLB fans learned that the Rays plan to promote their top minor-league prospect imminently. The Rays selected the contract of top prospect, Taj Bradley. The exciting 22-year-old will make his MLB debut on Wednesday. But there is an unfortunate twist: Starting pitcher Zach Eflin will hit the injured list.
The #Rays have placed RHP Zach Eflin on the 15-day IL with lower back tightness. Taj Bradley has been recalled in his place and will start Wednesday in his MLB debut
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) April 11, 2023
So Bradley’s promotion came with a corresponding move: The Rays placed the right-hander Elfin on the 15-day IL with “lower back tightness,” according to broadcaster Neil Solondz. Rays writer Marc Topkin also reported the news.
Bradley ranks as the Rays’ top prospect in their farm system. MLB Pipeline ranked the Stone Mountain, Georgia native 18th on their current list of Top 100 MLB prospects.
He began the season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls after the team optioned him there. Evidently, it didn’t take very long for the team to decide to bring him up to the bigs. That might beg the question of, “Why didn’t they do it sooner?” But in any case, it’s exciting news.
The Rays have developed a penchant for producing quality pitchers. Over the past few seasons, Blake Snell and Shane McClanahan emerged as stars. Tampa hopes that Bradley can be next in line. MLB fans were exposed to Bradley early on as he was featured in MLB The Show’s Future Stars collection.
Needless to say, thoughts were mixed about the moves made. Fans seemed excited Taj was going to make his debut. But there was worry in the air over Eflin, too.
Big prospect promotion coming tomorrow in Taj Bradley!
Last year he had a 2.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 141 K over 133.1 IP between Double-A and Triple-A. He absolutely should be added in 12-team leagues or deeper I’d you’re looking for pitching (it seems like we all are). https://t.co/GJA28uXI5H
— Frank Stampfl (@Roto_Frank) April 11, 2023
Noooooooooooo https://t.co/AZ6geNTB5D
— Mike Maher (@mikeMaher) April 11, 2023
We can’t have these starters getting hurt this early. Even if it means we get to see Taj with the big club. https://t.co/bFc568meEC
— Aaron Jacobson (@JacobsonOnAir) April 11, 2023
Sad, but also exciting? https://t.co/oxt9LD3HLj
— Cassandra Khan (@SportsCass5) April 11, 2023
Unfortunate news for Eflin, hopefully it’s nothing serious.
On the bright side, excited to see Rays’ top prospect Taj Bradley make his MLB debut. #RaysUp https://t.co/zedD4C3kow
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) April 11, 2023
Eflin on IL = ☹️ but Taj Debut = 🙂 https://t.co/mfTBHJXSGb
— Ajax (@AjaxEdits) April 11, 2023
TAJ TIME!?!? https://t.co/EuC9MFxV9L pic.twitter.com/JqDYg4L047
— Ryd3r – Rasmussen enjoyer (@RaysRyd3r) April 11, 2023
🚨 Taj Bradley Promoted! 🚨
Bradley is one of the 10 best pitching prospects in the game and is worth a look in all redraft leagues with 12+ teams. https://t.co/N1DEuDKfJ9
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) April 11, 2023
Why can’t we have nice things? https://t.co/iIlzkgf7Zm
— 𝙳𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚗 (@KeiserDonavon) April 11, 2023
