\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":" \n\n \n\nWitherspoon’s situation was less ideal. After Spring Training was shut down, he tried to stay in game shape by working out on a baseball field at his high school, D’Evelyn, in Denver. A police officer advised him that wasn’t an option. He spent the rest of the summer doing what he could in the batting cage and weight room, taking tips on hitting and the mental side of the game from Rays coach Jamie Nelson. The Rays wanted him to get at-bats and time at first base, so they asked if he’d like to play in Australia.\n\n“It's always been kind of a thing I wanted to do, go to Australia,” Witherspoon said over Zoom. “It kind of lined up perfectly with the pandemic and everything -- needed some at-bats -- so it worked out.”\n\nThe Rays sent a total of seven Minor League players to the Perth squad: Proctor, Witherspoon, infielder Abiezel Ramirez, outfielder Shane Sasaki and pitchers Jacob Lopez, Alan Strong and Nathan Wiles. They left the day before Thanksgiving, spent two weeks quarantining in their hotel rooms and wound up waiting even longer to play their first official games, as COVID-19 cases led to a few canceled series.\n\nBeyond that, though, it was as close to normal as they could have hoped for in 2020. Australia managed the pandemic well, so mask-wearing was only mandatory in some instances. They golfed plenty, playing one memorable round when a kangaroo approached their cart. (“First time I'd ever seen a kangaroo in person,” Proctor said.) They rode bikes around Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth. They celebrated Christmas together, albeit with McDonald’s for dinner because everything else was closed. (“A little different than what we were used to,” Witherspoon said.)\n\n“That’s the furthest I think all of us have been away from home, and for that length of time, it's nice to have people to talk to and guys that are obviously in the same organization as you just hanging out with on and off the field,” Proctor said. “So yeah, that was great.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
Grant Witherspoon, a #RaysBaseball outfield prospect, puts @PerthHeat in seventh heaven with the team's seventh homer of the game in the @ABL.
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":" \n\nThey were able to play competitive games with fans in the ballpark. And they played quite well, taking full advantage of the opportunity on the field.\n\nProctor made significant strides behind the plate with the guidance of Rays Minor League coaches RC Lichtenstein and Sean Smedley, who joined the Perth staff. He spent nine official games behind the plate and the rest in the infield while hitting .324/.452/.544 with more walks (16) than strikeouts (14).\n\n“Just that game experience is crucial,” Proctor said. “So that was good, just working drills and having a good set of eyes just watching my work and critiquing me and helping me along the way.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
The @RaysBaseball hopeful led the Heat in HR (4), 2B (9), 3B (tied), total bases (47), slugging (.653) & OPS (1.055); was second in RBIs (20) & bases stolen (7), with FPCT of .967 while alternating between 1B and RF
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"With his parents staying up to stream nearly every game online from their home in Colorado, Witherspoon hit .333/.402/.653 with four homers, nine doubles and 20 RBIs in 82 plate appearances. It was not only a chance for him to play first base, but to test out some changes he made at the plate. Witherspoon ditched his big leg kick, adopted an upright stance and a simplified, up-the-middle approach designed to remove some of the streakiness from his game.\n\n \n\n“It was nice to kind of just see it pay off a little bit better,” Witherspoon said. “It kind of felt like the game kind of slowed down a little bit, like I was getting myself out a little bit less, and I felt more in control up there.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Both Proctor and Witherspoon returned from their time down under raving about what Proctor called the “first-class” experience, feeling better prepared for Minor League Spring Training and, hopefully, ready to be nervous playing in front of fans again soon enough.\n\n“I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now, just trying to get back there and see all the guys that I haven't seen and start playing games that matter,” Witherspoon said.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/rays-prospects-ford-proctor-grant-witherspoon-get-australia-experience","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"The first time Ford Proctor and Grant Witherspoon took the field in Australia, there wasn’t much on the line. They were sent to play winter ball primarily for their own developmental purposes, and the game itself was a scrimmage. But there were fans in the stands, and it had been","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"spring-training","title":"Spring Training","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"adam-berry","title":"Adam Berry","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-139","title":"Tampa Bay Rays","team":{"__ref":"Team:139"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-665154","title":"Ford Proctor","person":{"__ref":"Person:665154"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-680710","title":"Grant Witherspoon","person":{"__ref":"Person:680710"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-top-prospects","title":"MLB Top Prospects","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/v1616275720/mlb/sy1bh8ox36tlidq93cee","title":"Rays prospects Ford Proctor, Grant Witherspoon get Australia experience"},"webPropertiesCollection({\"limit\":1,\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"preview\":false,\"where\":{\"propertiesId\":\"t139-global-properties\"}})":{"__typename":"CF_WebPropertiesCollection","items":[{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","organismHeadlineFont":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://assets.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/industry_medium_woff2/40e25d69959427885d1206718c21d2ae/industry_medium.woff2"},"urlLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t139_url_logotb_url2018_homepage_svg/2bd97a21c3a5e51d8a5b371a23ab9f27/t139_url_logo.svg"},"favicon":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t139_faviconBlueBurst_1gi31zxv_vvhfzkh3_png/3ad94a6cf635ba48d8e97323a75b057c/t139_favicon.png"},"headerMastheadTagline":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t139_header_masthead_taglineRaysUp_AllWhite2018_RGB_2__svg/db994468ef03f6411cc7de34efc9a7e5/t139_header_masthead_tagline.svg"},"headerPrimaryLogo":null,"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"160px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"34px","organismLogoVersion":"primary","organismLogoStyle":"light","headerMastheadLogoVersion":"primary","headerMastheadLogoStyle":"light","footerLogoVersion":"primary","footerLogoStyle":"dark","headlineTextTransform":"none","headlineFontFamily":"industry-medium","headlineFontFamilySizeMultiplier":1,"articleVideoAutoPlay":true,"articleVideoAutoPlaySound":false}]},"paletteCollection({\"limit\":1,\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"preview\":false,\"where\":{\"paletteName_contains\":\"t139-base-palette\"}})":{"__typename":"CF_PaletteCollection","items":[{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#092c5c","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#333333","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#8FBCE6","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#092c5c","buttonSpotlightBackgroundColor":"#8fbce6","buttonSpotlightBackgroundColorHover":"lighten","buttonSpotlightTextColor":"#ffffff","buttonSpotlightTextColorHover":"#ffffff","footerBackgroundColor":"#003278","footerBorderColor":"#e2e2e2","footerLinkColorActive":"#ffffff","footerLinkColor":"#999999","footerLinkColorHover":"#ffffff","footerTextColor":"#d2d2d2"}]},"dictionarySetCollection({\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"preview\":false,\"where\":{\"dictionaryTag_contains_all\":\"mlb-news\"}})":{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySetCollection","items":[{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"skip_to_content","dictionaryValue":"Skip to Content"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_recommended","dictionaryValue":"You may have missed..."},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_newsletter_placeholder","dictionaryValue":"Enter your email"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_newsletter_signup","dictionaryValue":"Sign up"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_newsletter_error","dictionaryValue":"Something went wrong, please try again."},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_newsletter_subscribed","dictionaryValue":"This email has already been registered for this newsletter!"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_did_you_like","dictionaryValue":"Did you like this story?"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_in_this_story","dictionaryValue":"In this story:"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_share","dictionaryValue":"Share"},{"__typename":"CF_DictionarySet","key":"news_related","dictionaryValue":"Related"}]},"newsArticleCollection({\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"preview\":false,\"where\":{\"team\":{\"teamId\":\"t139\"}}})":{"__typename":"CF_NewsArticleCollection","items":[{"__typename":"CF_NewsArticle","articleVideoAutoPlay":true,"articleVideoAutoPlaySound":false,"fallbackThumbnail":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/7rLiL2FzRtYvRA6WljKhNY/359c3d0e14e8deced16d006ecb2f4218/mlb_fallback_2.jpg"},"heightMinForSticky":2500,"injectedContent":null,"name":"Rays","newsletters":["1","37","78","43","4337","2010","5527"],"newsletterLogoOnDark":null,"newsletterLogoOnLight":null,"newsletterMessaging":"Have the latest news, ticket information, and more from the Rays and MLB delivered right to your inbox.","newsletterSuccessMessage":"Thank you for signing up for Tampa Bay Rays and MLB newsletters. ${email} has been successfully added.","newsletterTitle":"Get the latest from the Tampa Bay Rays","stickyRelatedHeightDisplacement":700,"tagPrefixPlayer":"player","tagPrefixTeam":null,"team":{"__typename":"CF_Team","teamId":"t139","name":"Rays","teamNameDisplay":"Tampa Bay Rays"},"newsletters({\"locale\":\"en-US\"})":["1","37","78","43","4337","2010","5527"]}]},"newsArticleCollection({\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"preview\":false,\"where\":{\"name\":\"MASTER\"}})":{"__typename":"CF_NewsArticleCollection","items":[{"__typename":"CF_NewsArticle","articleVideoAutoPlay":true,"articleVideoAutoPlaySound":false,"fallbackThumbnail":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/7rLiL2FzRtYvRA6WljKhNY/359c3d0e14e8deced16d006ecb2f4218/mlb_fallback_2.jpg"},"heightMinForSticky":2500,"injectedContent":{"3":{"type":"ad"},"6":{"type":"related"},"8":{"type":"ad"},"10":{"type":"newsletter"},"paragraphWordCount":50,"displayAdDelay":30000},"name":"MASTER","newsletters":["1026","43"],"newsletterLogoOnDark":null,"newsletterLogoOnLight":null,"newsletterMessaging":"Sign up to receive our daily [Morning Lineup](https://www.mlb.com) to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball.","newsletterSuccessMessage":"Thank you for joining the Morning Lineup newsletter. ${email} has successfully been added. \n\nVisit your [account profile](https://www.mlb.com/account \"Account Profile\") to manage your subscriptions.","newsletterTitle":"Get the Latest From MLB.","stickyRelatedHeightDisplacement":700,"tagPrefixPlayer":"player","tagPrefixTeam":null,"team":null}]},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}],"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/tb/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"t139-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"t139-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single-Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/single-game-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Information","linkUrl":"/tickets/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"$10 Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/ten-dollar-ticket-offer","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Randy Land","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/randy-land","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Summer Special","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/summer-special","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concert Series","linkUrl":"/tickets/postgame-concerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Holiday 3-Pack","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/holiday-packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Salute to Service","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/salute-to-service","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Black Friday Special","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/black-friday","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1669697940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training Mini Packs","linkUrl":"/spring-training#mini-packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Health & Safety Protocol","linkUrl":"/ballpark/2021-health-safety-protocols","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Suites","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium/suites","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets and Party Areas","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Premium Seating","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Packages","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/themes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"City Connect Flex Pack","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/city-connect-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Ballpark Pass","linkUrl":"/tickets/packs/ballpark-pass","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Student Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/student-ticket-offers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Specials","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fan Fest 3 Game Pack","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/fan-fest-three-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Request an Appointment","linkUrl":"/tickets/appointment","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mobile Ticketing","linkUrl":"/tickets/mobile","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Seating Map","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/seating-map","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/themes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Ticket Holders Only","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Rewards","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders/rewards","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Ticket Account","linkUrl":"/tickets/ticket-account","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy & Sell Tickets on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/tampa-bay-rays-tickets?aid=15990&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=rays_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Enchant Christmas","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/enchant","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pitch Your Price","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/pitch-your-price","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Dominican Republic Series","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/international/events/dominican-republic-series","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training Cancelled Games Information","linkUrl":"/spring-training/cancelled-game-information","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Ballpark Development","linkUrl":"/ballpark/historic-gas-plant","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"rewards","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Members","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Regular Season Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-03","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotional Schedule","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Downloadable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/downloadable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Printable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/printable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcast Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/list","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Stats","linkUrl":"/stats/team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Rookies Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rays/stats/american-league?playerPool=ROOKIES","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Roster","linkUrl":"/roster","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"40-Man Roster","linkUrl":"/roster/40-man","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Chart","linkUrl":"/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Non-Roster Invitees","linkUrl":"/roster/nri","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Coaches","linkUrl":"/roster/coaches","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top 30 Prospects","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/rays/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"/roster/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Updates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/topic/rays-injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Draft Results","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/all/team/rays","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Front Office","linkUrl":"/team/front-office","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcasters","linkUrl":"/team/broadcasters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/roster/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Player Search","linkUrl":"http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/players/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pronunciation Guide","linkUrl":"/team/pronunciation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Minor League Affiliates","linkUrl":"https://www.milb.com/about/teams/by-affiliate#tampa-bay-rays","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Video","linkUrl":"/video","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays on Demand","linkUrl":"/video/topic/rays-on-demand","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Most Popular","linkUrl":"/video/topic/t139-default-vtp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Cut4","linkUrl":"/video/topic/rays-cut4","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Game Recap","linkUrl":"/video/topic/rays-game-recap","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays YouTube","linkUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/rays","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Podcasts","linkUrl":"http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Curtain Calls","linkUrl":"/video/topic/rays-curtain-calls","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Official Releases","linkUrl":"/news/topic/rays-press-releases","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/roster/probable-pitchers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2021 Media Guide","linkUrl":"/team/media-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Game Notes","linkUrl":"/news/game-notes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Pipeline","linkUrl":"/news/topic/rays-pipeline-coverage","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Stream","linkUrl":"/team/photos","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"RSS News Feed","linkUrl":"/feeds/news/rss.xml","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays History","linkUrl":"/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays History Feature Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/rays-history-trivia","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB News","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"gameday","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tropicana Field","linkUrl":"/ballpark","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tropicana Field Information","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Health & Safety Protocol","linkUrl":"/ballpark/2022-health-safety-protocols","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Getting to Tropicana Field","linkUrl":"/ballpark/transportation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"A-to-Z Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pregame Experiences","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/pregame-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concessions Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/concessions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Parking","linkUrl":"/ballpark/transportation/parking","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tropicana Field Tours","linkUrl":"/ballpark/tours","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tropicana Field Events","linkUrl":"/ballpark/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tropicana Field Ground Rules","linkUrl":"/ballpark/ground-rules","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Seating Map","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/seating-map","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Places to Stay","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/places-to-stay","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Team Store","linkUrl":"/ballpark/concessions/merchandise","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Museum","linkUrl":"/ballpark/rays-museum","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"New Ballpark Redevelopment","linkUrl":"/ballpark/historic-gas-plant","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Charlotte Sports Park","linkUrl":"/spring-training/ballpark","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"globe","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Community","linkUrl":"/community","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mental Health Awareness","linkUrl":"/community/mental-health","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Social Justice","linkUrl":"/community/social-justice","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Hurricane Relief","linkUrl":"/community/hurricane-recovery","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Shirts Off Our Backs","linkUrl":"/community/shirts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Apply for a Grant","linkUrl":"/community/grant-program","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Programs","linkUrl":"/community/community-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Foundation Programs","linkUrl":"/community/foundation-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Military Salute Nominations","linkUrl":"/fans/military-salute-nominations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fundraising","linkUrl":"/community/foundation-fundraising","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Make a Difference","linkUrl":"/forms/rays-baseball-foundation-donations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Running with the Rays","linkUrl":"/community/running-with-the-rays","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Players and Wives Programs","linkUrl":"/community/players-and-wives-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Scholarships","linkUrl":"/community/scholarships","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"In-Kind Donation","linkUrl":"/community/in-kind-donations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"50/50 Charity Raffle","linkUrl":"/community/raffle","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Together","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Assistance Team","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/baseball-assistance-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Play Ball","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rbi","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Stand up to Cancer","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together/stand-up-to-cancer","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Military Appreciation","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together/military-appreciation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Charity Auctions","linkUrl":"https://raysbaseball.auctions.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays in Charlotte County","linkUrl":"/spring-training/charlotte-county","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Scoreboard Messages","linkUrl":"/fans/scoreboard-messages","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation","linkUrl":"https://www.baseballydf.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Fans","linkUrl":"/fans","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays City Connect","linkUrl":"/fans/city-connect","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Hall of Fame","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-hall-of-fame","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Fan Fest","linkUrl":"/fans/fan-fest","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Rookies Kids Club","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-rookies/kids-club","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Scoreboard Messages","linkUrl":"/fans/scoreboard-messages","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Gaming","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-gaming","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Inside Pitch","linkUrl":"/fans/inside-pitch","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Radio","linkUrl":"/fans/radio","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Rookies","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-rookies","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Request Rays Mascot","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-rookies/request-raymond","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Street Team Request","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-street-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Places to Stay","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/places-to-stay","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Kids","linkUrl":"/fans/kids","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Social Media","linkUrl":"/social","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Watch Parties","linkUrl":"/fans/watch-party","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Anthem Auditions","linkUrl":"/fans/anthem-auditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gameday Memorabilia","linkUrl":"/fans/gameday-memorabilia","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mobile Wallpaper","linkUrl":"/fans/mobile-wallpaper","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Bar League","linkUrl":"/fans/rays-bar-league","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Register for Rays Newsletter","linkUrl":"/fans/newsletters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Fan Packs","linkUrl":"/fans/fan-packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ray Team","linkUrl":"/fans/ray-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Yearbook","linkUrl":"/fans/publications/digital-yearbook","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"appears:1717603200;expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-club-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Apps","linkUrl":"/apps","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"watch","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe?affiliateId=clubMENU","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/t-70236799+z-6903-1880457143?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jerseys","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/jerseys/t-14671211+d-9072442358+z-97-1975076697?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Caps","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/caps/t-36892388+d-7816225558+z-93-341021391?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Men's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/men/t-70015622+ga-56+z-80815-2025524403?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Women's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/women/t-36459099+ga-24+z-924324-526029915?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Kids","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/kids/t-36128977+ga-70+z-933194-437301922?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Big &Tall","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/big-and-tall/t-25230100+es-24+z-903493-2160975735?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trading Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/trading-cards/d-4507487451+z-952513-2008381280?_s=bm-mlb.com-ShopButton-2024-TradingCards-tam","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Collectibles & Memorabilia","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/collectibles-and-memorabilia/t-14123400+d-1227553327+z-90-1131065877?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home & Office","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/home-and-office/t-92673444+d-6750224544+z-8-1878561226?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Clearance","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/t-70236799+z-6903-1880457143?os=1&_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en/c/shop-by-team/american-league/tampa-bay-rays?portal=BG3OB317&CMP=PSC-BG3OB317","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Certificates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-tb","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Photostore","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/collections/tampa+bay+rays?utm_source=tampa_bay_rays&utm_campaign=nav","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Authentics Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/tampa-bay-rays/authentic-collection/t-25560177+c-0133895279+z-96-1268855637","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rays Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://raysbaseball.auctions.mlb.com/?_gl=1*wrtrsj*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+TB&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=mki8i1dARcxDt3WwReTi6kJOREHftyZJNK-Xg3m10ZpEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+TB&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav+MLB&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Authentication","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/official-information/authentication","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Español","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/es/rays","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#092c5c","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#092c5c","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#8FBCE6","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#333333","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t139_url_logotb_url2018_homepage_svg/2bd97a21c3a5e51d8a5b371a23ab9f27/t139_url_logo.svg"},"headerMastheadTagline":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t139_header_masthead_taglineRaysUp_AllWhite2018_RGB_2__svg/db994468ef03f6411cc7de34efc9a7e5/t139_header_masthead_tagline.svg"},"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"160px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"34px"}}},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","id":139,"division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Person:665154":{"__typename":"Person","id":665154},"Person:680710":{"__typename":"Person","id":680710},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Oakland Athletics","shortName":"Oakland","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbrays","linkInternalFilters":"tampabay,rays,devilrays"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Tampa Bay Rays","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
The first time Ford Proctor and Grant Witherspoon took the field in Australia, there wasn’t much on the line. They were sent to play winter ball primarily for their own developmental purposes, and the game itself was a scrimmage. But there were fans in the stands, and it had been a while since either Rays prospect had played in that kind of environment.
“It was like the second or third inning,” Proctor said, “and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m really nervous right now for this.’ It was kind of surprising.”
While few Minor League players got a chance to play anything beyond intrasquad scrimmages at their alternate training site or instructional league games last year, Proctor, Witherspoon and several of their teammates went around the world to find that sense of normalcy. They spent time in the Australian Baseball League, playing games in front of fans, taking strides in their development and enjoying a unique experience off the field.
“I felt grateful to be there the first game, because I had just been sitting at home,” Witherspoon said. “That was cool.”
For both Proctor and Witherspoon, the decision was spurred in part by the opportunity to practice a new position. Proctor, a 24-year-old infielder who cracked MLB Pipeline’s just-released list of the Rays’ Top 30 Prospects at No. 29, began working as a catcher. And the 24-year-old Witherspoon, an outfielder during his two seasons in Tampa Bay’s system, spent some time at first base.
Proctor was somewhat of a rarity last season: a prospect who didn’t lack for organized playing time. He had 106 plate appearances in the Constellation Energy League, went to the Rays’ alternate training site in early September, played in instructional league camp then went to join the Perth Heat in Australia.
“A couple of the [Rays'] coordinators ran by me that it'd be great to get some more work in, because that's the biggest thing is getting game experience,” Proctor said during a Zoom call with MLB.com. “So, for me, it was pretty much a no-brainer because, learning a new position, I needed that game experience.”
⚾ SEASON REVIEW ⚾
#7 FORD PROCTOR
The versatile @RaysBaseball prospect showed off all his skills in an exceptional @ABL season. He finished with a league-leading .452 OBP thanks to 22 hits and 16 walks, and also knocked over three home runs and drove in 17 runs. pic.twitter.com/TG34glqp5V
Witherspoon’s situation was less ideal. After Spring Training was shut down, he tried to stay in game shape by working out on a baseball field at his high school, D’Evelyn, in Denver. A police officer advised him that wasn’t an option. He spent the rest of the summer doing what he could in the batting cage and weight room, taking tips on hitting and the mental side of the game from Rays coach Jamie Nelson. The Rays wanted him to get at-bats and time at first base, so they asked if he’d like to play in Australia.
“It's always been kind of a thing I wanted to do, go to Australia,” Witherspoon said over Zoom. “It kind of lined up perfectly with the pandemic and everything -- needed some at-bats -- so it worked out.”
The Rays sent a total of seven Minor League players to the Perth squad: Proctor, Witherspoon, infielder Abiezel Ramirez, outfielder Shane Sasaki and pitchers Jacob Lopez, Alan Strong and Nathan Wiles. They left the day before Thanksgiving, spent two weeks quarantining in their hotel rooms and wound up waiting even longer to play their first official games, as COVID-19 cases led to a few canceled series.
Beyond that, though, it was as close to normal as they could have hoped for in 2020. Australia managed the pandemic well, so mask-wearing was only mandatory in some instances. They golfed plenty, playing one memorable round when a kangaroo approached their cart. (“First time I'd ever seen a kangaroo in person,” Proctor said.) They rode bikes around Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth. They celebrated Christmas together, albeit with McDonald’s for dinner because everything else was closed. (“A little different than what we were used to,” Witherspoon said.)
“That’s the furthest I think all of us have been away from home, and for that length of time, it's nice to have people to talk to and guys that are obviously in the same organization as you just hanging out with on and off the field,” Proctor said. “So yeah, that was great.”
Grant Witherspoon, a #RaysBaseball outfield prospect, puts @PerthHeat in seventh heaven with the team's seventh homer of the game in the @ABL.
They were able to play competitive games with fans in the ballpark. And they played quite well, taking full advantage of the opportunity on the field.
Proctor made significant strides behind the plate with the guidance of Rays Minor League coaches RC Lichtenstein and Sean Smedley, who joined the Perth staff. He spent nine official games behind the plate and the rest in the infield while hitting .324/.452/.544 with more walks (16) than strikeouts (14).
“Just that game experience is crucial,” Proctor said. “So that was good, just working drills and having a good set of eyes just watching my work and critiquing me and helping me along the way.”
The @RaysBaseball hopeful led the Heat in HR (4), 2B (9), 3B (tied), total bases (47), slugging (.653) & OPS (1.055); was second in RBIs (20) & bases stolen (7), with FPCT of .967 while alternating between 1B and RF
With his parents staying up to stream nearly every game online from their home in Colorado, Witherspoon hit .333/.402/.653 with four homers, nine doubles and 20 RBIs in 82 plate appearances. It was not only a chance for him to play first base, but to test out some changes he made at the plate. Witherspoon ditched his big leg kick, adopted an upright stance and a simplified, up-the-middle approach designed to remove some of the streakiness from his game.
“It was nice to kind of just see it pay off a little bit better,” Witherspoon said. “It kind of felt like the game kind of slowed down a little bit, like I was getting myself out a little bit less, and I felt more in control up there.”
Both Proctor and Witherspoon returned from their time down under raving about what Proctor called the “first-class” experience, feeling better prepared for Minor League Spring Training and, hopefully, ready to be nervous playing in front of fans again soon enough.
“I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now, just trying to get back there and see all the guys that I haven't seen and start playing games that matter,” Witherspoon said.