March 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman
Curtis Mead is getting the starting nod at first base and is batting leadoff on Opening Day on Friday versus the visiting Colorado Rockies and left-hander
Kyle Freeland at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The 24-year-old is hoping to parlay his blistering-hot spring into the start of the regular season after hitting .524 (22-for-42 with a home run in Grapefruit League play for the Rays. So far in two seasons (62 games played) in the big leagues for the Rays, though, Mead has been a disappointment after the team acquired him from the Phillies in the
Cristopher Sanchez trade. In his 224 major-league plate appearances, Mead has slashed .244/.300/.312 with a .613 OPS, two homers and 12 RBI. As a right-handed hitter, Mead will at least be in the lineup against lefties, but he may need to keep hitting to secure an everyday role in Tampa.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 21, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Curtis Mead has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Kevin Cash. Mead essentially beats out
Eloy Jimenez for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp thanks to an impressive Grapefruit League performance this spring. Entering play on Friday, Mead has hit .543 (19-for-35) with a homer, double, three RBI, a stolen base and six runs scored in 13 contests. The 24-year-old Australian's stock is certainly rising for those in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues despite the fact he's only hit .244/.300/.312 with a .613 OPS, two home runs and 12 RBI in 62 games since he debuted in the big leagues in 2023. The former highly-touted prospect in the Phillies system might initially only see playing time in Tampa against lefties, but if he continues to swing the bat like he has in spring training, more playing time will surely come. Stash him in AL-only formats for now.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
March 6, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Curtis Mead, who showed up to spring training in excellent shape, recorded eight hits in his first nine Grapefruit League at-bats and also went 4-for-4 with a walk in Thursday's spring contest against the Philadelphia Phillies to raise his current average to a ridiculous .778. The 24-year-old former top prospect in Tampa's system is certainly putting his best foot forward as he battles with outfielder
Eloy Jimenez in camp for one of the last spots on the roster heading into the 2025 regular season. The Australian native has hit only .244 (50-for-205) with two home runs, 12 RBI and 51 strikeouts in 224 plate appearances over 62 games in his first two MLB seasons. He has yet to prove he belongs in the lineup everyday, but Mead can play both second and third base and could function as a utility infielder for the Rays in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 27, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Curtis Mead has been raking this spring, now 8-for-9 through four games, including a double and a home run with a stolen base to boot. The Australian native is fighting for a roster spot this spring, and it appears he's putting his best foot forward. The right-handed hitter has had some opportunity with the big league club over the last two years but owns just a career .244/.300/.312 slash line in 224 career plate appearances. He showed well at Triple-A last season, putting together a .288-13-41-60-11 line over 91 games (364 AB), so perhaps he's riding some of that momentum into the 2025 campaign. As it stands, he's off the redraft radar, but were he to work his way into a sizeable role during the season, the 24-year-old has some power and speed potential that could make him an intriguing fantasy option.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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