Arizona Diamondbacks: Robbie Ray aims as the number two starter

Left-hander Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks showed a strong economy of pitches in his second spring outing

At first glance, there is no question as to talent level of lefthander Robbie Ray of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Just ask hitters around the National League.

Last season, Ray emerged on the NL landscape as a proficient strikeout artist and a growing reputation with one of the most explosive fast balls in the majors. The dilemma Ray faced was the ability to harness this energy.

Behind hitters and elevating his pitch count for most of his 2016 starts, Ray rarely moved into the sixth inning and beyond. Though he finished with 174.1 innings, a career high, his record of 8-15 foreshadowed…