Tampa Bay Rays Sign Pitcher; Former Promising Relief Prospect

An interesting addition by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays have signed pitcher Graham Spraker to a minor-league contract.

#Rays have signed RHP Graham Spraker to a minor league contract.
— MiLB-Transactions (@tombaseball29) February 4, 2023

Spraker was a good relief prospect heading into last season, however, he struggled at Triple-A Buffalo and was later released in August by the Toronto Blue Jays.

For his minor-league career, the twenty-seven-year-old has posted a solid 3.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, with 296 strikeouts across 324.2 innings of work. He's made 37 starts, 87 relief appearances, converted 11 saves and holds a 15-15 record.

It's a very intriguing low-risk signing by the Rays and, with their track record of reviving seemingly washed-up pitchers, it's a smart move.

Spraker is a former 31st-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports