Randy Arozarena focused on doing something special for Rays ... again
ST. PETERSBURG — Randy Arozarena has the ability to put on a show at any time.
“On a given night, we know that he could be the most talented player on the field,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Speed, athleticism, power, excitement, the energy that he brings. He’s a special, special player for our game. I think he’s the type of player that fans come to the ballpark to see.”
Especially now.
The calendar flipped to September and, on cue, Arozarena is on the verge doing something special.
In 2020, he transitioned from alternate camp site workouts in Port Charlotte after an extended bout with COVID-19 to the Rays, and used his strong September showing (.288, 7 homers, 11 RBIs, 1.055 OPS in 21 games) as a platform to his record-smashing October.
Last year, he put on a flurry at the end (.305, 2 homers, 9 RBIs, .894 OPS over 23 games); his 20th homer of the season came in the final week and he stole his 20th base on the last day to post the fifth 20-20 season in Rays history. Then he won the American League Rookie of the Year award.
Going into play Saturday with 18 homers and 27 steals, Arozarena has bigger goals in mind this year.
“There’s an opportunity for 20-40,” he said, via team interpreter Manny Navarro.
Or some combination thereof — 25-35? — that showcases his rare, and impressive, blend of power and speed that he takes much pride in, noting “the God-given ability” and the discipline to train to stay in shape: “I know that if I eat too much, if I get too fat, I won’t be able to run so I’ve gotta be able to work out.”
Cash has his own idea: “How about 30-30? I’ll take that.”
Twelve homers in the Rays’ 32 remaining games seems like a lot, until you remember that in 2020 Arozarena hit 10 in a span of 18 postseason games, all while facing some of the league’s best pitchers.
Arozarena was quite proud of last year’s 20-20 accomplishment, becoming the 11th rookie to do so since Major League Baseball defined rookie status in 1958.
He also became the third member of the Rays’ 20-20 club, joining B.J. Upton (2007, 2011 and 2012) and Tommy Pham (2019). And Arozarena definitely wants to do so again.
Need proof? Last Sunday, Isaac Paredes hit his 17th and 18th homers to temporarily take the team lead. Arozarena responded: “I’m not trying to compete with him. My goal, I’m just trying to get 20 home runs. And if I do, I’ll be happy. … My objective is to be 20-20 again.”
Arozarena needed a mad dash to get there last year, stealing four bases in the final three games against the contending Yankees. For now, his focus is on the power.
“I’m very happy with where I’m going, but we’ve got to go step by step,” he said. “So I’ve got to get 19 first and then I’ve got to get 20. After that, then I’ll have a different goal. I’ll be able to accomplish something else as long as I get those two first.”
A 20-20 showing is indeed rare: In the Rays’ 25 seasons, there have been 51 times a player hit at least 20 homers and 35 times when a player stole 20 or more bases — but only the five when they did both in the same year.
(Rarer, the Rays have had only one 40-homer season and thrown only one no-hitter; had two players hit for the cycle; and have turned three triple plays.)
Since the Rays began play in 1998, there have been 97 20-20 performances by American League players, including three already this season: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle; Adolis Garcia and Marcus Semien, Texas.
Rays’ 20-20 club
BJ Upton, 2007: 22 homers, 24 stolen bases
Upton, 2011: 36-23
Upton, 2012: 31-28
Tommy Pham, 2019: 25-21
Randy Arozarena, 2021: 20-20
And some near misses:
Carl Crawford, 2010: 19-47
Ben Zobrist, 2011: 20-19
Crawford, 2006: 18-58
Upton, 2010: 18-42
Zobrist, 2009: 27-17
Rays rumblings
Wander Franco said his recently born son is named Sam, playing off Franco’s middle name, Samuel. Going with Sam broke with family tradition as Franco’s father, two brothers and firstborn son are all named Wander, with different middle names. … Ex-Ray Joey Wendle’s prank on Cash in Miami was — admittedly — somewhat lame: He signed an orange welcoming his former manager to the Citrus Series. … Cool Instagram move by Tyler Glasnow: In addition to a photo of him signing his contract extension through 2024, he added a clip of The Wolf of Wall Street movie scene where Leonardo DiCaprio tells a group of co-workers, in increasingly colorful terms, “I’m not leaving.” … After Monday, the remaining six Monday-Thursday home games go back to a 6:40 p.m. start time. … Best wishes to ex-Ray Austin Meadows, who acknowledged publicly he has “been struggling with my mental health.” … Jeffrey Springs seemed more amused that his first was spelled “Jeffery” on his locker placard in Miami than his last name listed as Rasmussen (as in teammate Drew). “He’s pretty good,” Springs said. “So being ‘Jeffery Rasmussen,’ if that helps me pitch better. …” And that was after Christian Bethancourt’s name was spelled ‘Christain’ in Boston. … Durham’s Curtis Mead was atop Jim Bowden’s list for The Athletic of hitters expected to be among the 2023 top 50 prospects. … With their 25th season nearing the end, when should the Rays start thinking about launching a team Hall of Fame and maybe an old-timer’s day? … Pham, who returns to the Trop on Monday with the Red Sox, still speaks fondly of Cash. So much so that Pham, who wants to manage, refers to his former boss as “my future bench coach.” …. Radio broadcasters Andy Freed and Dave Wills grabbed stat sheets to wave as a white flag after four foul balls went flying into their booth last Sunday in Boston. … A month-long instructional league camp opens this week in Port Charlotte for the team’s young/lower-level prospects.
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