ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Believe it or not, Rays pitchers and catchers are less than two weeks away from reporting to Port Charlotte. Ah, the thought of spring training as the Tampa Bay region braces for potential record cold. (Such a thought was the norm up north at this time of year, but here in Tampa?)
Eleven pitchers are among 25 players on minor league contracts the Rays invited to spring training. There are a handful with MLB experience who could ultimately provide depth. Included are versatile righthanders and off-season acquisitions such as St. Pete native and Plant High product Jake Woodford (free agent), Luis Guerrero (trade w/Boston) and Andrew Wantz (free agent). Lefty reliever Cam Booser appeared in 82 games the past two seasons with the White Sox and Red Sox.
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The group of pitchers also includes Brody Hopkins, the organization’s No. 3 prospect at the end of 2025. The 24-year-old was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Seattle. Hopkins had a 2.72 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 25 starts at Double-A Montgomery last season.
Logan Driscoll is one of four catchers invited. The lefthanded hitter spent the past six seasons in the Tampa Bay organization since being acquired from San Diego prior to 2020 spring training. His lone action with the Rays was in 2024 when he played in 15 games.
Another catcher, 28-year-old Blake Sabol, was the Giants’ primary backstop for much of 2023, hitting .235 with 13 homers in 110 games. He appeared briefly with the Red Sox last season and was signed by the Rays on January 8.
Outfielder Edward Olivares has appeared in 285 MLB games, mostly with the Royals for whom he hit .263 with 12 homers and a .769 OPS in 2023. His most recent big-league action was with the Pirates in 2024.
Here is the complete list as provided by the Rays.
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS (11): Luis Guerrero, Brody Hopkins, Ty Johnson, Trevor Martin, T.J. Nichols, Chase Solesky, Austin Vernon, Andrew Wantz, Kodi Whitley, Jake Woodford, Logan Workman.
LEFT-HANDED PITCHERS (2): Cam Booser, John Rooney
CATCHERS (4): Logan Driscoll, Tatem Levins, Kenny Piper, Blake Sabol
INFIELDERS (7): Gregory Barrios, Logan Davidson, Raynel Delgado, Xavier Isaac, Cooper Kinney, Tre’ Morgan, Brayden Taylor
OUTFIELDERS (1): Edward Olivares
Of the 25 players invited to camp, 10 have major league service time: Cam Booser (Boston, Chicago-AL), Logan Davidson (Athletics, Los Angeles-AL), Logan Driscoll (Tampa Bay), Luis Guerrero (Boston), Edward Olivares (San Diego, Kansas City, Pittsburgh), John Rooney (Houston), Blake Sabol (San Francisco, Boston), Andrew Wantz (Los Angeles-AL), Kodi Whitley (St. Louis) and Jake Woodford (St. Louis, Chicago-AL, Pittsburgh, Arizona).
The above boosts the spring training roster 65 players. There are 34 pitchers, seven catchers, 15 infielders and nine outfielders. Rays pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Wednesday, February 11, and position players are scheduled to report Monday, February 16. The first full-squad workout will take place Tuesday, February 17.
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