LEADING OFF: Yanks' dominant pitching, Rays get rookie boost
Jameson Taillon tries to extend a streak of dominant starting pitching by the New York Yankees when he opposes Dallas Keuchel and the White Sox in the BronxMAY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
TAYLOR WALLS #6 - SHORTSTOP - TAMPA BAY RAYS
1 HR •
14 RBI •
.183 AVG
1 HR
14 RBI
.183 AVG
Walls 2 doubles in debut, Rays beat Jays for 9th win in row
Taylor Walls hit a pair of doubles in his major league debut and the Tampa Bay Rays won their ninth straight game, 3-1 over the Toronto Blue JaysMAY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Law: Willy Adames wends his way to Wisconsin, with Taylor Walls recalled, but whither Wander Franco? The biggest news of this trade was that the Rays didn't recall shortstop Wander Franco, the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
MAY 22, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Batting eighth in MLB debut Walls was called up as expected Saturday and will bat eighth and play shortstop in his major-league debut against the Blue Jays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Impact Walls isn't necessarily the Rays' shortstop of the future, as that would appear to be Wander Franco, but he's the one who will get the first crack at the job after the Rays dealt Willy Adames to the Brewers on Friday. Walls is a fine prospect in his own right, albeit not at Franco's level, with the potential to make a good amount of contact while playing strong defense. He's hit .279/.369/.417 with a strong combination of a 12.5 percent walk rate and 18.8 percent walk rate in 276 career minor-league games.
MAY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brewers trade 2 relievers, acquire SS Adames from Rays
The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired shortstop Willy Adames (pronounced ah-DAH-mes) and pitcher Trevor Richards from the Tampa Bay Rays for relievers JMAY 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Primed for big-league debut Walls will be called up from Triple-A Durham on Saturday after the Rays traded Willy Adames to the Brewers, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Impact The 24-year-old should slot in as Tampa Bay's starting shortstop following the departure of Adames on Friday. Walls was off to a strong start at Triple-A this season with a .327/.468/.490 slash line in 14 games, but he may not have much of a window to secure the starting role with top prospect Wander Franco still waiting for his opportunity.
MAY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Headed to minor-league camp The Rays optioned Walls to their minor-league camp Tuesday.
Impact The switch-hitting infielder will likely report to the Rays' affiliate in Durham when the Triple-A East season gets underway in May. In his last minor-league season in 2019, Walls split time between High-A Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery, slashing .270/.343/.452 with 10 home runs and 28 stolen bases.
MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays’ Taylor Walls not a fan of limiting shifts Rays notes | Planned experimental rule changes are a topic of discussion. Also, another Tampa Bay loss.
MARCH 12, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
