Today marks the deadline for teams to submit to Major League Baseball their initial spring training player pools, which can comprise up to 60 players. Players are not eligible to participate in spring training or a regular season game until they are included in the group. The teams are free to change the composition of the pools as they see fit. However, players removed from a team’s 60 men (for reasons unrelated to injury, suspension, etc.) must be exposed to other organizations through the exchange or exemptions.
Not all players within a team’s group are fined for MLB playing time, of course. Most teams will include well-considered but still far-flung prospects as a means of getting reps coached without the intention of leading them to a major league diamond this season. Here you can find a comprehensive review of the unique set of 2020 rules.
The Rays’ starting group of players consists of the following players, according to several reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times).
Skilled casters
Left-handed pitchers
Collectors
Infielders
Gardeners
The Rays are the first team to announce their group of 60 players, and have chosen to fill all 60 places: 30 pitchers and 30 position players. We’ll see how many teams choose to leave some slots open; clubs are not required to use all 60 places on the roster There aren’t many surprises for the Rays, who will essentially carry their 40-man roster along with many of the same veterans and non-roster prospects who were relevant in the first Spring Training iteration. Wander Franco, considered the best prospect in baseball, will train with the club thanks to his inclusion in the group of players, although that is far from an indication that he will appear at the MLB level this year. The only 40-player who is not listed here is Brett Honeywell, who is still recovering from an ulnar nerve procedure.
