Player of the Series: Taylor Walls
The best defender in all of baseball came through offensively for the Rays
It’s only May, but it seemed like the Tampa Bay Rays had to win this series against the New York Yankees in order to keep their season hopes alive. After a crushing 3-0 defeat on Friday, it seemed like those hopes were dashed. However, thanks to our Player of the Series, the Rays were able to overcome the Yankees for the final two games of the series.
Taylor Walls proved to be an essential part of the Rays victories on Saturday and Sunday. During Saturday’s contest, Walls was at the plate with one away and the bases loaded with the Rays trailing by a run in the second inning. Walls was able to hit a flyball deep enough to bring home the tying run on a sac-fly; the Rays went on to win, 3-2. Curtis Mead also received consideration for his efforts on Saturday as he produced the go-ahead single that led the Rays to victory.
The following afternoon, Walls had one of his best days in the big leagues as he collected four hits during the contest. It was just the 3rd time in his career having knocked four hits in a single game and the first time since April 30th, 2023 and it was his first time having at least three hits in a game since June 25th, 2024. Walls would score two of the Rays seven runs during the 7-5 victory.
DRAYSBAY PLAYER OF THE SERIES
- 1st: Kameron Misner
- 2nd: Jake Mangum
- 3rd: Brandon Lowe
- 4th: Jose Caballero
- 5th: Joe Boyle
- 6th: Shane Baz
- 7th: Chandler Simpson
- 8th: Christopher Morel
- 9th: Chandler Simpson
- 10th: Mason Englert
- 11th: Taylor Walls
Taylor Walls is now a big league veteran in his 5th season serving in the Rays infield. A superbly talented defender, Walls is considered about the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball with the Rays starting him in the lineup on a daily basis despite a career 70 wRC+. Entering play on Tuesday, Walls is hitting .192/.278/.244 with a 57 wRC+ over 90 PA, registering 0.3 fWAR; Walls also leads all of baseball with 7 DRS.
The Rays will begin their next series, a three-game set, against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
Who do you think will be our next Player of the Series?