David Price Ready to Make an Impact on the MLB

Now usually when any team sends their star pitcher to the disabled list, it is surrounded with disappointment. However this has not really been the case for the Tampa Bay Rays as there is a ton of excitement revolving around who the team called up to their roster. With all star Scott Kazmir being placed on the 15 day disabled list the team has called up one of the most awaited arms in baseball history, David Price from Triple A-Durham. Price has been given the credit of possibly being the best pitcher in all of baseball someday, and that is now something that he is going to have to start proving now.

Rays manager Joe Maddon confirmed that Price would indeed be making his first official start on Monday, May 25^th. Everyone knew that Price was close to major league ready, but there had to be a certain opportunity come up for him to get his chance. And while injuries are never good, the one to Scott Kazmir has given this bright young star his opportunity. His last time pitching in a minor league game he put up impressive numbers through five scoreless innings. Price was able to throw up nine strikeouts on the scoreboard and only allowed two walks. The really exciting part for the team and for Price is that this call up has been labeled as a long time deal. As long as things go ok, the young stud will remain on the roster even after Kazmir returns from injury.

Maddon also said that Price will have a lot of time to get things to work out and that he will not be restricted by pitch count very much at all. The team is going to give him at least 90-100 pitches every time he takes the mound and feel that he is as ready as he will ever be. The timing could not be any more perfect as the team could really use a boost. Second baseman Akinori Iwamura is going on the DL along with Kazmir and closer Troy Percival is pondering midseason retirement.

Now Andy Sonnanstine becomes the oldest pitcher in the rotation at the ripe old age of 27, but the team is not worried about a lack of veteran presence at all. Price is truly something special, and now that he is being given the opportunity to really go out there and show his stuff, day after day, the whole league should be in for a treat.

Keep in mind that Price already has some pretty relevant MLB experience. He posted a 1.93 ERA over 14 innings the league last year and was instrumental in the Rays playoff run. He pitched 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox and was credited with a win in Game 2 of the series and the save in Game 7.

It is an exciting time for Rays fans and baseball fans alike as David Price is truly something special and now he is getting the chance to prove it.