Jaime Schultz, the Maple Hill graduate, could be in the MLB sooner than later.
Schultz has been nothing short of lights out this season for the Triple-A affiliate Durham Bulls, posting a 3.33 ERA in 102.2 IP. The success doesn’t stop there though, Schultz has fanned 121 batters this year, with only 50 walks, a stat that hasn’t been quite as polished for Jaime in the past.
Listed at just 5’10”, what Schultz lacks in height, he makes up for in velocity, reaching in the upper 90’s with his fastball too many times to count this season.
With the trade deadline approaching us in a short couple of hours, many of the Rays’ strong arms could be on the move. Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, and Matt Moore are the front end of the Rays’ rotation right now, but don’t expect that to remain the same, as all three of them are drawing interest from other organizations.
It’s these specific trades that could give the hard throwing 25-year old from Maple Hill a chance in the “big leagues” before we know it. Schultz, along with Jacob Faria of the Durham Bulls are supposedly next in line for Tampa Bay. While Schultz isn’t expected at all to be a part of any trades, don’t count that out as an option because after all, it is the MLB Trade Deadline, anything can happen.
We saw Shaker graduate Jeff Hoffman be a part of a blockbuster trade that sent Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays last year at the trade deadline, but it’s more than safe to say that Schultz will be staying put as a member of the Rays.
With the Rays not being in playoff contention, it can’t hurt to bring up a couple young players to get experience during the last half of the season.
Schultz is currently ranked as the 11th prospect in the Rays system, so the opportunity could certainly be there in the upcoming weeks for him.
Jaime Schultz is next scheduled to pitch for the Bulls tomorrow, August 2nd against the Norfolk Tides, which may possibly be his last start this season in the minor leagues.
