Baldelli returns to Rays with an impact

A couple weeks ago, I said how the Rays should go after Gary Sheffield rather than Barry Bonds as ESPN was suggesting. I also mentioned in another post that if the Rays did not get anyone, they could still get their right handed bat with Rocco Baldelli coming back. The Sheffield idea went over well, and the Baldelli idea did not. Well look what has happened.

Since Rocco returned from a mitochondrial disorder that left him constantly tired, and unable to play for the better part of 2 seasons. Baldelli has a .308 batting average, a .357 on base percentage, and a .577 slugging percentage, to go along with his 2 home runs.

Now I still don't expect him to play every day, but he is there when they need that right handed bat. When he is brought in to pinch hit, he has an extra advantage, because he was out so long many pitchers have never seen him.

Baldelli is just one of those good stories, a guy that has wanted to play but couldn't. He is one that even though he may not be at full strenght yet, and may not ever be again, goes out there and gives it his all every night.

Now compare Baldelli to the lackluster play of BJ Upton. One who is a great talent but slows down before getting to a base and gets tagged out, and we could have an outfielder controversy on our hands. Now we still don't know the future of Baldelli, but if he did become an everyday player again, look for Upton to be traded next year, unless Upton finally wakes up.

Hopefully things will keep going as they are for Baldelli, but now I can finally say welcome back Rocco.