Matt Joyce
I’m a believer in Matt Joyce and Casey Kotchman of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both are among the top hitters in all of baseball and should be here to stay. The Rays are counting on them. And so are the Rays fans. You see, they are hometown boys.
Kotchman went to Seminole High School in St. Petersberg and was the star player of the their 2001 National Championship team. Casey was the 13th overall pick of that draft that featured Joe Mauer, Mark Prior, and Mark Teixeira.
Casey Kotchman was expected to be a big time hitter with power. It never happened. He bounced around the Majors and never had a big season. This year he got contact lenses and amazed himself at how well he can see. And now he is hitting as expected.
Joyce was the key player in the Edwin Jackson to Detroit trade. Manager Joe Maddon was a believer and stuck with Joyce and it now is paying dividends.
Joyce is from Armwood High School in Seffner in East Tampa. Both players could only dream of playing for the Rays. But that day has come.
Joyce is currently hitting .357 and fighting for the league batting lead. He is a good defensive outfielder that throws out base runners.
Kotchman is hitting .352 and just shy of enough plate appearances to qualify among the leaders. He is a standout defensive firstbaseman.
The Rays are fighting for the lead in the AL East and Joyce and Kotchman are a big part of the reason why.
Two hometown boys living out their dream. The Rays and their fans love it. Get these players if you can. They are two of the pleasant surprises in this year’s season.
Correction! Casey Kotchman does not wear glasses. He had corrective lasik surgery in the offseason. Sorry for the misinformation.