David Price and the Young Guns: Rays Homegrown Rotation Among the Best

The Tampa Bay Rays' starting rotation has remained strong despite the turnover of a lot of key members of the team. The Rays' rotation is still among the best in baseball and will keep them competitive for years to come.

Beyond their talent, the Rays' starting rotation is young and homegrown. All of the Rays starters are under the age of 30 and were drafted by the team. May 24, 2007 was the last time a pitcher age 30 or older started for the Rays when Jae Seo took the mound on his 30th birthday.

Jeremy Hellickson

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park April 11, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jeremy Hellickson made his first Opening Day roster this season. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander has only started nine games in his career. In 2010, he saw his first major league action, appearing in 10 games.

Hellickson is the only pitcher in Rays' history to win his first three starts. He is also the first Iowa-born player in team history.

So far in 2011, he is 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in five starts.

Hellickson was selected in the fourth round of the 2005 June draft.

Jeff Niemann

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FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 22: : Jeff Niemann #34 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day on February 22, 2011 at the Charlotte Sports Complex in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Jeff Niemann made his debut April 13, 2008. The 28-year-old right-hander has started 66 games in his career.

Last season was his second consecutive season of 12 or more wins and a .600 winning percentage. He joins CC Sabathia, Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Jon Lester, Justin Verlander, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright—the only other major leaguers to reach those levels in each of the last two seasons.

Niemann has three career complete-game shutouts, tied with Matt Garza for most in club history.

So far in 2011, he is 1-3 with a 5.60 ERA in five starts.

Niemann was selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2004 June draft.

Wade Davis

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FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Wade Davis #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day on February 22, 2011 at the Charlotte Sports Complex in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Wade Davis made his debut September 06, 2009. The 25-year-old right-hander has started 40 games in his career.

Last season, he led American League rookies with 12 wins. Prior to this season, Davis signed a four-year contract extension.

Davis has three career complete-game shutouts, tied with Matt Garza for most in club history.

So far in 2011, he is 3-2 with a 2.73 ERA in five starts.

Davis was selected in the third round of the 2004 June draft.

James Shields

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 02: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Tropicana Field on April 2, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

James Shields made his debut May 31, 2006 and is the most experienced pitcher on the Rays' starting rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander has started 156 games in his career.

Last season, Shields became the franchise’s all-time leader in wins (56), starts (151), innings pitched (977.2) and quality starts (87). He also set a career high with 187 strikeouts, one shy of David Price for the team lead, eighth in the AL and the fourth-highest strikeout total in club history behind Scott Kazmir (239 in 2007), Matt Garza (189 in 2009) and Price.

Shields is one of only five pitchers with 200-plus innings and 150 strikeouts in each of the last four seasons joining Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia, Dan Haren and Matt Cain.

So far in 2011, he is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA in five starts.

Shields was selected in the 16th round of the 2000 June draft.

David Price

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: : Pitcher David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the game at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

David Price made his debut September 14, 2008 and is the only left-hander in the starting rotation. The 25-year-old has started 60 games in his career including his first Opening Day start this season.

Last season, he led the majors with a .760 winning pct. (min.162 IP). Price was the only pitcher to rank in the top five in the AL in wins, winning percentage., ERA, opp avg. and quality starts.

He also set club records in wins (19), ERA (2.72), opp avg. (.221), quality starts (25) and winning percentage (.760).

So far in 2011, he is 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in five starts.

Price was selected first overall in the 2007 June draft.

He is very active on twitter and can be followed @DAVIDprice14.