The Tampa Bay Rays just bolstered their future rotation by adding two left-handed studs from the Durham Bulls to their 40-man roster—Joe Rock and Ian Seymour. These rising stars are now one step closer to lighting up Tropicana Field in 2025.
Joe Rock: The Mile-High Marvel Turned Rays Ace-in-Waiting
Joe Rock, the 6’6” southpaw, made waves in 2024 after arriving via trade from the Colorado Rockies. With 139⅔ innings pitched for the Bulls, he racked up a 7-8 record and flashed promise with a 21.6% strikeout rate. Rock’s ability to dominate hitters with his height and control makes him a player to watch in the Rays’ pitching pipeline.
Ian Seymour: Strikeout Machine with a Razor-Edge
Ian Seymour’s numbers speak for themselves. The former second-round pick out of Virginia Tech tore through 2024 with a dazzling 2.35 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A. His 28.1% strikeout rate and pinpoint control (7.1% walk rate) show he’s ready to compete at the highest level. A consistent force on the mound, Seymour is poised to make an impact.
What This Means for the Rays
By locking in Rock and Seymour to the 40-man roster, the Rays not only shield them from the Rule 5 Draft but also signal their confidence in these young arms. Both pitchers will join spring training with a shot to crack the big-league roster, adding firepower to an already formidable rotation.
The Road Ahead
From dominating in Durham to eyeing the show, Rock and Seymour are ready to take the next leap. Rays fans, mark your calendars for spring training—these two are about to show why they’re the future of Tampa Bay pitching.
