RealGM

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:25 pm**

http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wiret ... tampa_bay/

SI.com - The Rays have decided to call up super prospect Evan Longoria.

"We've been decimated by injuries. It's not necessarily the ideal way that we wanted to call him up," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

"But we're confident in his ability to adjust at the plate, and what he brings to us defensively is something that we felt was very important to where we're going. We'll see what happens and reassess when Willy is ready to come back. We'll let things play out.''

"We've been decimated by injuries. It's not necessarily the ideal way that we wanted to call him up,'' Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

What do some of the experts here think he will do this season? I just picked him up on waivers in one of my leagues.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:49 pm**

I think he will have a similar rookie impact as Ryan Braun. And he will win AL rookie of the year.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:30 pm**

A.J. wrote:I think he will have a similar rookie impact as Ryan Braun. And he will win AL rookie of the year.

He's going to have to be pretty damn good to do that.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:31 pm**

ReddBogutCharlieV wrote:He's going to have to be pretty damn good to do that.

1. Ryan Braun isn't God.
2. Evan Longoria is talented enough to equal Braun's rookie season, even in the AL.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:33 pm**

WEFFPIM wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

1. Ryan Braun isn't God.
2. Evan Longoria is talented enough to equal Braun's rookie season, even in the AL.

Braun's rookie season was historic. I was just saying that if he equals it then he's pretty damn good.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:34 pm**

If you actual take defense into account he could be just as good, but his bat won't be near as good.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:03 pm**

He struggled some at the end of spring training (avg dropped to .260ish).

What isn't known is how much Maddon is going to attempt to protect him from opposing pitchers.

I'm guessing fast start, and then pitchers will adjust to him. I don't think big #'s will hit the fan.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:51 pm**

bigboy1234 wrote:If you actual take defense into account he could be just as good, but his bat won't be near as good.

He probably won't hit 34 HRs or slug over .600, but he's infinitely more disciplined than Braun and will walk a lot. Braun won't be able to keep hitting like he has until he learns to take some pitches.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:04 pm**

I'm already sick of the Sportscenter "Not Tony Parker's wife... It's Evan Longoria!" jokes.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:43 am**

First major league game he had a rbi single.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:12 am**

I have him going on my fantasy team tomorrow. His swing looked pretty good today.

RealGM

Longoria Called Up To Tampa Bay

Longoria Called Up To Tampa Bay