Episode 959 On this episode of FanGraphs Audio, David Laurila welcomes Blake Butera, the manager of the Charleston RiverDogs, Low-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay…
May 5, 2021
Cole Wilcox started to say “two-seamer” when bringing up the fastball he threw at the University of Georgia. The 21-year-old Tampa Bay Rays prospect then reversed course and called it a sinker, which it really wasn’t. Featuring mostly arm-side run, the high-velocity offering got only a modicum of depth. Given the grip, that kind of came with the territory. More on that in a moment.
Wilcox was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft by San Diego, who subsequently shipped the right-hander to the Rays as part of the Blake Snell deal. Seen as a potential first-rounder last summer signability questions caused the sophomore-eligible draftee to drop Wilcox spent time at the Padres alternate site prior to changing organizations in December. It was there that he restructured an arsenal that now comprises a two-seamer, a slider, a changeup, and a work-in-progress four-seamer.
RiverDogs Announce 2021 Roster The Charleston RiverDogs announced their 2021 roster on Friday (Source: Live 5 News) By Charleston RiverDogs | April 30, 2021 at 3:51 PM EDT - Updated April 30 at 3:51 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston RiverDogs, in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays, announced their opening day roster on Friday afternoon in advance of the team’s May 4 season-opener. The RiverDogs initial group of players is highlighted by 2018 first round pick Nick Schnell, a pair of 2020 draft choices making their pro debuts in the Lowcountry and five members of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Rays prospects list. Tampa Bay is considered to own the top farm system in baseball by multiple publications.
RiverDogs name Blake Butera as manager for 2021 season Charleston RiverDogs By Kevin Bilodeau | January 29, 2021 at 5:49 PM EST - Updated January 29 at 5:49 PM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston RiverDogs named Blake Butera as their new manager for the 2021 season on Friday in a ceremony at Riley Park.
Butera, despite being just 28-years-old, comes with several years of experience as a manager in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He was the youngest manager in all of minor league baseball when he took over the Rays former short season squad in Hudson Valley back in 2018. He would coach the team again in 2019.