Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Colome was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays back when they were still the Devil Rays in 2007 out of the Dominican Republic. The 24-year-old Colome has dutifully gone through each level of the minors, and 2013 was his first full season at triple-A. With a 3.07 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 70 innings, Colome was called up to the Rays and had 16 innings pitched in his MLB debut season.
Colome’s fastball reaches 95 mph with sink and armside run. He compliments his plus fastball with a sharp curveball, an inconsistent upper-80s slider and an average changeup. However, Colome isn’t without his issues. He missed the second half of the season in 2013 due to a frayed elbow ligament, and this is not the first time he’s had arm issues due to his violent delivery to the plate.
After the Rays traded relief pitcher Alex Torres to the San Diego Padres for Logan Forsythe, Colome’s position in the bullpen was all but cemented. In fact, with his plus stuff and strikeout potential, he may have a chance to serve as the Rays’ closer in 2014.
Colome’s biggest challenge this spring is to just stay healthy and build up his arm strength. If Colome shows he can handle a bigger workload, he may develop into a solid mid-rotation starter. For now, the Rays will be happy to add him to their bullpen.
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