Baz's fastball topped out at 99.8 mph during his one-inning Grapefruit League outing against the Twins on Sunday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The electric right-hander is thought to have a bright future, and the Rays are excited about giving him multiple opportunities in live action against big-league bats this spring. Baz's initial results were certainly encouraging, as the 21-year-old was able to work around back-to-back inning-opening walks to pitch a scoreless frame with the help of two strikeouts and a heater that averaged 97.9 mph.

Baz was invited to the Rays' major-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz is a talented young righty who should be able to help the Rays before too long, but that help may not come this season. He recorded a strong 2.99 ERA in 17 starts at the Low-A level in 2019, but the canceled minor-league campaign in 2020 prevented him from continuing to climb the ladder.

Baz was impressive while facing Michael Perez, Hunter Renfroe, Mike Brosseau and Yandy Diaz in Sunday's simulated game, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old is getting an opportunity to test his mettle against big-league bats in camp after seeing his 2020 minor-league opportunity evaporate, and he didn't look out of place while facing four capable hitters. Baz threw 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes during his outing and struck Diaz out looking to wrap up his one inning. Baz's arsenal includes a powerful fastball and numerous breaking pitches, and he particularly made an impression on manager Kevin Cash with the quality of his location at what is still a relatively early stage of his professional development. "The biggest thing for me is their ability to throw strikes, their understanding of how to make a small adjustment to get them back in the zone if they miss," Cash said. "A lot of times, for younger players, that's what makes them spiral. These guys are extremely polished."

Baz is expected to be named to the Rays' 60-man roster pool, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old is one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, so his place in the pool is mostly for developmental reasons. Baz spent last season at Low-A Bowling Green and posted a 2.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 87:37 K:BB across 81.1 frames.

Baz received an invite to the Arizona Fall League on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz earned his AZL spot by virtue of a rock-solid season at Low-A Bowling Green, one in which he generated a 3-2 record, 2.87 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while recording 78 strikeouts across 75.1 innings. The 20-year-old arrived in the Rays organization in the Chris Archer trade with the Pirates last season that also yielded Tampa both Tyler Glasnow (forearm) and Austin Meadows.

Baz was assigned to Low-A Bowling Green on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz has yet to make his 2019 debut while spending the past month at extended spring training. The decision wasn't the result of any concern about Baz's health but rather one designed to limit the young right-hander's innings count. He topped out at 52.1 innings between rookie and short-season ball in 2018 and should push close to 100 in 2019 if he avoids any setbacks over the next few months.

Baz will open the year in extended spring training, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Baz, it's possible that he could be sent to Low-A before the short-season leagues open up, but at the latest we should see him sent somewhere in mid June. The player to be named later in the Chris Archer trade has frontline stuff but needs to work on harnessing his arsenal.

Baz was traded from the Pirates to the Rays as the player to be named later in the Chris Archer deal, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, the PTBNL in the Archer deal is better than the typical final piece in a deal like this, as Baz was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 draft and netted a slightly over-slot $4.1 million bonus. He has struggled with his command/control as a pro, walking 37 batters in 69 innings across stops in the Gulf Coast League and Appalachian League. However, as a 19-year-old with frontline-caliber stuff, it's not that surprising that he is still honing that aspect of pitching. Baz has 50 strikeouts in 45.1 innings in the Appy League this year, and had fanned 12 over 9.2 scoreless innings in his last two starts for Bristol. He slots in behind Brent Honeywell and Matthew Liberatore as the third-best pitching prospect in a stacked Rays farm system.

Baz is being held back in extended spring training to start the season, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given his pedigree (12th overall pick last year) and frontline stuff, it would not have come as a surprise if Baz had opened the year at Low-A, but the Pirates will be cautious with their prized righty. He is likely on a fairly strict innings limit in his first pro season, which may have played a role in him being held back to start the year. Baz should finish the year at Low-A if he stays healthy.