I thought this was an interesting profile on Devil Rays prospect Elijah Dukes. There’s no doubt Dukes has had his share of issues and while it looks like the Devil Rays outfield is set, Dukes would make a nice option as a fourth outfielder. He had a very good season in Durham where he hit .293 but more importantly, he walked 44 times versus only 47 strikeouts so Dukes would make a very nice table setter. He also has some pop and he hit 10 homeruns and 15 doubles in 283 at bats.
This success also carried over into a solid Arizona Fall League. There he hit .313/.425/..488. So Dukes is ready and I think it’s time to give him his chance.
February 19th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Though Dukes is an intriguing 4th outfield option, I’d prefer him to play everyday and get some AB’s. Stick him at Durham, and call him up if one of the C.C.-Rocco-Delmon trio gets hurt. You have to figure that with that group, and someone from the Cantu/Gomes/Upton trifecta at DH, his PT would be limited on the active roster.
February 21st, 2007 at 7:35 am
Scott, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s a few things preventing Dukes from going back to AAA.
1. Andy doesn’t want Dukes anywhere except St. Pete, for some reason. Maybe it’s to keep an eye on him better or because he’s seen enough in Dukes to show he deserves to be in the majors.
2. Durham’s front office has pretty much said that Dukes will never set foot in Durham again and they could possibly leverage their PDD with the Rays to guarantee that.
3. He’s shown that he can hit at the AAA, what’s the use of having him repeat it? Upton has regressed as a hitter when we put him back in AAA after the 1st call-up.