How Waguespack worked his way into Rays’ mix

This story was excerpted from Adam Berry's Rays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- When the Rays added right-hander Jacob Waguespack to their 40-man roster on Friday, the move didn’t come with any guarantees. He could still be sent to Triple-A Durham. He could pitch out of Tampa Bay’s bullpen. He could claim the spot in the rotation left vacant by the injured Taj Bradley.

But the decision was clearly a vote of confidence in Waguespack.

“Hopefully, it just gives him a little peace of mind. He knows we’re going to go down to the wire with some decisions, and he’s right in the thick of it,” manager Kevin Cash said Friday. “He’s put himself right in the thick of it, so good for him.”

But how did Waguespack do it? How did a 30-year-old who joined the organization on a non-roster Minor League contract after two seasons in Japan get to this point where he could crack the Rays’ Opening Day roster?

It’s an interesting story.

Waguespack was drafted out of high school by the Pirates in the 37th round of the 2012 Draft, but he didn’t sign. He instead went to the University of Mississippi, only to later go undrafted out of college. He signed with the Phillies on June 19, 2015, and quickly climbed the ranks, reaching Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being dealt to the Blue Jays for Aaron Loup prior to the 2018 Trade Deadline.

Waguespack (or “Wags” for short) made his big league debut on May 27, 2019, with the Blue Jays -- coincidentally, it came at Tropicana Field. He pitched well enough that season (4.38 ERA in 16 games), but then struggled to an 8.15 ERA in 11 appearances during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign and couldn’t earn a promotion out of Triple-A Buffalo in ’21 despite posting a 2.86 ERA in 69 1/3 innings.

“I just kind of got caught up in the numbers,” Waguespack said.

Then, Nippon Professional Baseball’s Orix Buffaloes came calling. The Japanese team offered Waguespack a chance to start and a guaranteed salary. He couldn’t pass it up. The Louisiana native performed well and wound up working as the Buffaloes’ closer, securing three saves as they won the Japan Series in 2022.

Last season didn’t go as smoothly, which Waguespack chalked up to “some adversity” and “some bad luck.” But he remained confident in his abilities and determined to prove himself. When he returned from Japan on Nov. 15, he and his wife packed up their car and took their dog from their home in Baton Rouge, La., to rent a place near the Tread Athletics facility in Charlotte, N.C.

Aside from a trip home for the holidays, Waguespack stayed in North Carolina the rest of the offseason, working under the watch of former Rays Minor League pitcher Tyler Zombro and the staff at Tread. Waguespack ironed out his mechanics, upped the intensity level of his training and worked to get the most out of his 6-foot-6 frame and high-arm-slot delivery.

Or, as Waguespack put it: “Just busting my [butt] at Tread.”

When the Rays expressed interest in signing him, it was an easy decision. Their reputation for getting the most out of their pitchers is well-known throughout the industry. Motivated pitchers want to work with pitching coach Kyle Snyder and the entire pitching department. Waguespack was no exception.

“All those guys are just wizards,” Waguespack said. “My first bullpen, we adjusted a couple things. That’s been great for me from a confidence aspect, them just telling us what works for us and is good for us. That’s been a breath of fresh air.

“That was a huge factor for me coming here. This is where you want to be if you’re a pitcher, especially in my position, trying to get some things to all fall together.”

Waguespack is off to a good start. His fastball velocity has ticked up into the mid-90s, and the Rays believe his four-pitch mix gives him a chance to handle a starting/bulk-inning role, though he’s proven to be versatile enough for just about anything. Cash said he’s been most impressed by Waguespack’s velocity, extension (which makes it seem like the ball is getting to the plate even quicker) and ability to make adjustments with Snyder and Co.

“Easily one of the more improved guys,” Snyder said. “I think it illustrated what Spring Training can be for certain guys.”

How the next part of the story plays out is to be determined. But Waguespack is back, and he’s given himself another chance.

“I like where my stuff’s at, and I think I can help this team. I think my stuff plays in the big leagues,” he said. “Whether I start in Durham or the big leagues, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’m ready to play for this team and this organization.”