David Hess Could Have a Future With the Rays as a Reliever
DURHAM NC – Prior to David Hess signing with the Tampa Bay Rays during the offseason. He spent the first half of his career with Rays rival the Baltimore Orioles. The former 2014 fifth-round draft pick struggled to find any rhythm in the big leagues with Baltimore going, 4-20 with a 6.43 ERA in 33 starts through 2018-2020.
Hess’s struggles forced the Orioles to cut ties with the right-hander, and he eventually signed a minor league deal with Tampa Bay in the winter. He immediately had the opportunity to battle for a spot on the Opening Day roster during the Spring but failed to do so. In five appearances with the Rays in Spring Training, the problems continued for Hess posting a 17.28 ERA in 8 1/3 innings of work. The lack of production forced him to start the 2021 season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls. He worked as a starter in his first two appearances with the Bulls and posted reasonable numbers but could not get past the 4th inning in both of those outings.
Manager Brady Williams decided to utilize him out of the bullpen as a long reliever the next six appearances. Since the transition, Hess has been a different hurler on the mound and perhaps the most valuable pitcher for the Bulls. He has posted a team-best 5-0 record to go along with a 2.70 ERA. His outstanding 27 to two K/BB ratio in 23 1/3 innings suggests that this type of production is sustainable. He has given up five home runs already, which is concerning but typical for a pitcher with such excellent command, and it should not deteriorate what he has done early on.
If Hess continues to dominate with the Bulls, he should get at least one more crack at the MLB. His days as a starter are most likely over, but they are just beginning as a reliever. 25-year-old Josh Fleming has been used as the long reliever for Rays skipper Kevin Cash. However, there will undoubtedly be days that Fleming will need a breather, and Hess very well can be that guy to fill that void. As long as he continues to throw strikes and limit the long ball, David Hess will be coming out of the bullpen for the Tampa Bay Rays sooner rather than later.