TAMPA, Fla. – With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, former Flagler College pitcher Kyle Bird has plenty to be thankful for as he found out yesterday (Nov. 20) that he is on the Tampa Bay Rays 40-man roster. He was one of five prospects added to the roster.
"I knew when I saw on my phone that I was getting a call from (Assistant Director, Minor League Operations) Jeff McLerran last night, I got excited," said Bird.
He just got back from Mexico where he was playing in a winter league. His attention is now on getting prepared for the 2019 season.
"I am focusing this offseason on getting better," said Bird. "I made the roster, but I want to stick with the team, and that's what I am going to work on."
The Rays have not released the date when pitchers and catchers report, but they open the schedule on Feb. 22 against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.
The 6-foot-2 southpaw has been with the Rays organization since being drafted in the 35
th Round in 2014. This past season Bird split time between Class AA Montgomery (Ala.) and Class AAA Durham (N.C.). He posted a 3-3 record with a 2.39 earned run average between the two teams. Bird collected four saves and limited opposing hitters to a .198 batting average (52-for-263). He finished with 88 strikeouts for a 10.51 strikeouts per nine inning ratio. Bird has not played in a regular season Major League game.
"The entire baseball program at Flagler is very proud of Kyle," said head coach Dave Barnett. "He stayed the course in the Minor Leagues and certainly deserves this shot. We wish him all the best."
The Orange Park, Florida native pitched one season (2014) for the Saints after transferring from Florida State University. Bird made 12 appearances with 11 starts and had a 2-4 record with one save. He posted a 5.00 earned run average and fanned 39 batters in 54 innings pitched.
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