Player of the Series: Drew Rasmussen
Six shutout innings helped pave the way to the Rays lone victory of the series
The Tampa Bay Rays lost a series to the Miami Marlins for the first time since 2018. Nothing really went right for the team and even in the game they won, Chandler Simpson’s face paid the price.
When looking for a player that performed the best, only two hitters had a wRC+ over 100 (Simpson and Jose Caballero), there were no home runs hit at all, and the pitching staff allowed 14 runs during the two losses. Thus, making it clear that Drew Rasmussen, the pitcher who hurled six shutout innings, was the team’s best performer.
Following a 9-4 drubbing on Friday, Drew Rasmussen took the hill on Saturday afternoon and delivered an excellent start, rebounding from several consecutive clunkers. Rasmussen fired six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and walking none. It was his second start of the season yielding zero walks and the first time since March 31st. It was also Rasmussen’s first time completing six innings since May 11th, 2023, his last start before having to undergo surgery.
Rasmussen needed to be flawless for the better part of his start as the Rays offense was held in check for the better part of the game before breaking through for four runs in the 5th. Tampa Bay would go on to win, 4-0.
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
- 12th: Yandy Diaz
- 13th: Travis Jankowski
- 14th: Brandon Lowe
- 15th: Drew Rasmussen
29-year old Drew Rasmussen is now in his 6th big league season. He was originally selected by the Rays as the 31st overall selection in the 2017 but didn’t sign. The Milwaukee Brewers picked up Rasmussen a year later in the 6th round of the draft. Rasmussen quickly became one of Milwaukee’s top prospects and made his big league debut in 2020. The Rays would acquire Rasmussen in 2021 for Willy Adames. Rasmussen thrived with the Rays and became one of the more dependable starting pitchers in baseball. He seemed well on his way to a breakout campaign in 2023 before having to undergo an elbow procedure that sidelined him until late in the 2024 season.
Rasmussen is now fully healthy and is taking his turn every 5th day for the Rays. Thus far in 2025, Rasmussen has compiled a 2-4 record with a 2.93 ERA | 3.83 FIP with a 22.2 K% & 5.6 BB% over 46 IP.
The Rays will begin their next series, a three-game set, against the Houston Astros on Monday.
Who do you think will be our next Player of the Series?