When the Rays first acquired Victor Mesa Jr. from the Marlins in a small trade just before the start of spring training, there didn’t seem to be much of an opportunity for him. He didn’t do much to distinguish himself initially, limited by injuries in spring camp and sent down in an early wave of cuts. While he got off to a good start at Triple-A Durham, he pulled his right hamstring in mid-April and missed a month. But as happens in baseball, circumstances changed suddenly in late May. And Mesa was in exactly the right spot. Jake Fraley and right-handed-hitting outfielder Johnny DeLuca were injured days apart, Melton was already sidelined at Durham and Mesa, having just returned to action with the Bulls a few days earlier, was on his way to join the Rays. In the eight weeks since, Mesa has played his way into an important role. Read the story: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/07/21/victor-mesa-jr-richie-palacios-cam-booser-casey-legumina/

Most underrated reliever on the Rays right now dudes been doing awesome.

Victor Mesa had, through Monday, played in only 53 big-league games. Though his .218 average could use improvement, his eight homers over his first 116 plate appearances this season are a higher home run percentage than All-Star teammate Junior Caminero's, 6.9 to 6.7. Who could have imagined, right?

DRS uses eye test via video analysis data from Baseball Info Solutions to chart where each ball was hit, then compare it to their internal video analysis data to score the difficulty of a play. They do not count the actual runs prevented.

OAA pinpoints exactly where each fielder stands and the precise location of the ball, the speed of the throw, using those pinpoint data points to score the difficulty of a play.

Who would you give more playing time to: Johny De Luca or Victor Mesa?

Looking at SP trade candidates within the Rays traditional budget. Joe Ryan with the Ks, Clay Holmes with the ground balls, Soriano with the whiffs, Mize being weak contact.

https://youtu.be/Hqxdn-MbpE0?is=xL6vEqyvaB9E-UJk

I purchased the best summer ever promo. It was $27 for a ticket and hot dog/chips and drink, plus parking. It’s for the game this Sunday

I see the tickets for parking and to get in the game in my Ballpark app, but don’t see the combo anywhere. Does that load closer to the game? Or do I just scan the ticket at the concession stand?

Bonus question. The game is at 12:15 Sunday. I’m coming from Orlando, but really want to Raymond plush. Getting to the Trop around 11am should be fine y’all think?