Tampa Bay Rays Call Up Local Product With Superb Minor League Numbers

The Tampa Bay Rays can expect a little boost in attendance, thanks to their newest call-up, South Florida's own Phoenix Sanders. 

New #Rays RH Phoenix Sanders, the @USFBaseball product, understandably excited at first call up. Said family is coming in from all over Florida, including father-in-law Scott Hemond, the former big leaguer

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 14, 2022

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Sanders will have family coming in from all over Florida to watch his first day in a Rays uniform. His father-in-law Scott Hemond, who spent 7 years in the majors in the '90s, is among the in-coming.

The #Rays are calling up 26-year old relief prospect Phoenix Sanders. He mainly lives in the low 90’s and has a huge 12-6 curveball as well as a harder slider.

He posted a very strong 80:11 K:BB ratio across 64 innings in AAA last year pic.twitter.com/ooWXHJ2vej

— Rays Metrics (@RaysMetrics) April 14, 2022

In five minor league seasons, Sanders owns a 3.07 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, while striking out nearly 11 batters per 9 innings. As noted by @RaysMetrics, he owns a terrific 12-6 curveball and posted an impressive 80:11 K:BB ration in Triple-A in 2021.

The 26-year-old will be making his major league debut with the Rays.

Reliever Dusten Knight was designated for assignment to make room for Sanders.

Photo Credit: @BN9