The Book on David Price
Graduated Prospect Info
Now that he's no longer rookie-eligible, The Book is closed on David Price as a prospect. This page remains as a historical record of his time in our prospect list.
Last bio and ranking update: 12/1/2008.
David Price
Born 8/26/1985
LHP, TB
Even before the Rays made him the first pick of the 2007 Amateur Draft, David Price had already run up a polished resume, beginning with the 0.43 ERA he posted as a high school senior. The Dodgers drafted him in the 19th round in 2004, but Price chose to attend Vanderbilt on scholarship instead, where he became a powerful (if overworked) anchor to the school's very strong rotation. A surprise star during the last weeks of Tampa's championship run in 2008, Price was used primarily in long relief from the bullpen, though his future is in the starting rotation. Since he remains eligible, he has Rookie of the Year potential for 2009.
While his fastball has been clocked at 95mph a few times, Price works more in the 90-92 range, relying on a high quality, high-80's slider with a very sharp bite. He has a good changeup, and rather than relying on power, he adds and subtracts with consistent, solid arm action. While he has always been able to throw strikes, Price has always had command problems within the strike zone, and has been known to tip his changeup by dropping his arm angle. If this flaw sticks when he faces major leaguers, he could give up more than his share of long balls. But add a little polish to these shortcomings, and he could be a front-line starter immediately. Expect the Rays to give him a shot early in 2009, and while they're bound to limit his innings for 2009, he'll probably have to play his way out of the rotation.
Player Updates and Notes
That's more like it. David Price decimated the Twins today, striking out eleven (while walking only two) while working into the sixth inning for his first win of the year. He showed a cool head whenever runners reached base, reaching back for big strikeouts whenever he needed them. If he stays in this groove for long, the AL is going to get eaten alive.
5/30/2009 by DataBoy
David Price's 2009 debut was a mixed bag, as the super-prospect lasted only into the fourth inning and walked five Indians on his way to a no-decision. He surrendered only two runs, though, and struck out six, including three in a row to get out of a first inning jam, showing glimmers of the determination that made him so unhittable last fall. We expect a slightly less jittery outing next week against the Twins.
5/26/2009 by BallGrrrl
With the struggled Scott Kazmir moved to the DL to rest up for awhile, rumors are swirling that top prospect David Price will be called up Monday to make Tampa's start against the Indians.
5/22/2009 by BallGrrrl
As has been rumored all spring, the Rays have sent David Price to AAA to begin the season, presumably to keep his major league service time clock from starting a year too soon. Like Evan Longoria last year, he'll be back by June.
3/26/2009 by KDaddy
The Rays have traded away Edwin Jackson for outfielder Matt Joyce, presumably to open a David Price-sized hold in their starting rotation.
12/11/2008 by KDaddy
David Price, making his MLB debut in a mop-up role, giving up only three hits while striking out four in 5-2/3 of an inning today. He gave up two earned runs, one on a Derek Jeter solo shot and the other when reliever Jason Hammel allowed an inherited runner to score. Price is expected to make a couple of more appearances out of the bullpen, then receive a start during the season's final week.
9/14/2008 by KDaddy
As the deadline passed, the Tampa Bay Rays did not add phenom David Price to their playoff roster, making him ineligible for October baseball. But a closer look at the asterisks shows that both Chad Orvella and Jae Kuk Ryu are on the playoff roster... as well as being on the disabled list. Either of those injured players can be replaced with Price at any time in September without penalty. We still expect to see him join the bullpen sometime in September.
9/4/2008 by KDaddy
Rays' superprospect David Price, who started the season late in A ball before going 11-0 at A and AA, has just been promoted to AAA Durham. He'll make his first start on Wednesday. A September in Tampa now seems more likely than not.
8/11/2008 by KDaddy
David Price won his ninth consecutive decision as a pro last night, striking out seven while giving up three hits in Birmingham. Last year's number one overall draft pick is now 11-0 across two levels, with a 1.87 ERA and an even 92 strikeouts in 92 innings of work.
8/8/2008 by KDaddy
The Rays have promoted David Price to AA Montgomery. Price went 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA at single-A Vero Beach, striking out 37 batters in 34 innings.
6/9/2008 by KDaddy
According to the St. Pete Times, Price will be out for six to eight weeks for the Rays after discovering pain in his left elbow. The club is calling it a muscle strain, but the long shutdown suggests it might be something more serious. He wasn't going to make the big-league roster anyway, but losing the better part of two months is going to hurt his chances of reaching the bigs at all this year.
3/24/2008 by KDaddy
Tampa's acquisition of Matt Garza, who bumps him down the depth chart, probably won't delay Price's debut much, since he's expected to spend 2008 in the minors anyway.
11/30/2007 by BallGrrrl
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