Dodgers' Tyler Glasnow trade piece feels like Michael Busch 2.0 with Rays
When Michael Busch was on a five-game home run streak for the Cubs back in mid-April, setting a franchise record, Dodgers fans had to take a deep, collective breath in the attempt to let it roll right off of our backs. Busch was a top-ranked prospect with the Dodgers who wasn't able to make a splash with them in 27 games last season, but then he was traded to the Cubs, became an everyday player, and suddenly looked like an All-Star.
Around that same time, Ryan Pepiot, half of the Dodgers' part in the trade for Tyler Glasnow from the Rays, defied laws of the universe by pitching six scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts against the Rockies at Coors. Deep breaths, deep breaths.
The other half, Jonny DeLuca, hadn't done anything quite as notable by then because he was on the IL with a broken hand. But then he returned on May 3 after a quick rehab assignment and immediately became an everyday piece of the Rays' outfield. He's played in six games so far through May 8 and is looking like he could be an absolute terror at the plate.
Former top Dodgers prospect and Tyler Glasnow trade piece Jonny DeLuca is (unfortunately) looking great for the Rays
The Rays are sitting at .500 and fourth place in the ultra-competitive AL East, but they were on a five-game win streak before Wednesday's game, all with DeLuca in the lineup. His Rays debut featured a two-run single (on top of an RBI groundout) in what turned out to be a close game against the Mets. On May 5 and 6, wrapping up the series against the Mets and kicking off one against the White Sox, DeLuca went 2-4 with a walk and a triple, then 2-4 with a home run, collecting seven RBI over that two-game span. On May 7, he once again had a multi-hit night — 2-3 with a walk and a double.
DeLuca peaked at No. 22 in the Dodgers' pipeline last season and got a few appearances in the majors during the summer. He wasn't half bad either, batting .262/.311/.429 with a pair of home runs. But, like Busch, it was unlikely he was going to crack the major league lineup again after all of LA's offseason additions, so they Dodgers packaged him up and sent him to Tampa.
This one will require even more deep breaths. At least Glasnow has also been excellent for the Dodgers and at least LA's player development is clearly working, right?