Projected as a starter, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek never had the confidence nor the resilience to take to the mound every fifth day. A starter needs to have more than just three or four pitches that are rated average despite a fastball that is lights out, reaching 98-100 mph and freighting coming into home plate.
His average rated pitches and his blazing fastball, which have been impressive enough to watch Stanek climb through the Rays minor league system at a rate almost as fast as his strikeout pitch have caught the eyes of coaches and managers throughout the organization.