Graham

Spraker

Spraker was one of the better relief prospects in baseball a couple years ago, and got a shot this year with the pitching-savvy Rays on a minor league pact. The 28-year-old righty was cut loose after posting a disastrous 11.25 ERA, 2.75 WHIP and 17/12 K/BB ratio across eight inning (nine appearances) for Double-A Mississippi.

Spraker was one of the better relief prospects in baseball heading into last season, but scuffled at Triple-A Buffalo, and wound up being released last August by the division-rival Blue Jays. He’s an interesting low-risk lottery ticket for the Rays, who seem to have a knack when it comes to reclamation projects like this.

Spraker was named the Arizona Fall League’s Reliever of the Year last November, and wound up scuffling to a 4.82 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 44/25 K/BB ratio across 37 1/3 innings (29 appearances, three starts) this season for Triple-A Buffalo. The 27-year-old righty could get another shot as a reclamation project in a new organization.

To say that the 26-year-old right-hander was dominant during his time there would be an understatement, as Spraker fired 11 1/3 innings of shutout baseball while allowing just four hits and posting a 17/2 K/BB ratio. He also pitched well during the regular season, registering a 2.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65/23 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo. Despite the success this season, the Blue Jays opted against protecting him in next month’s Rule 5 draft.