Rays left-handed hitters should love temporary home

The Tampa Bay Rays have typically been known for pitching and defense. That may change, albeit temporarily, in 2025.

Tropicana Field — home of the Rays — was decimated by Hurricane Milton back in October. The roof was destroyed, with large sections of it being torn off. While there is hope that the stadium will be ready for 2026, the Rays needed to find somewhere to play in 2025.

The quest for a new stadium led to George M. Steinbrenner Field — the Yankees' home during spring training and the home of the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees' Single-A team. The stadium also has the same dimensions as Yankee Stadium, including the short porch in right.

Left-handed hitters will have another reason to love the Rays' new home. Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner reported that several Orioles regulars traveled to George M. Steinbrenner Field to get a sense of the ballpark. Not only did they feel that it was a hitter-friendly stadium, but those Orioles players said it was "Yankee Stadium with a jet stream to right field."

The Rays depth chart has a trio of left-handed hitters listed as starters. Infielders Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda and outfielder Josh Lowe have all displayed their power potential. Aranda slugged 25 homers in Triple-A in 2023. Josh Lowe hit 20 homers for the Rays in 2023 and showed respectable power during his minor league career. 

The new stadium may have the biggest impact on Brandon Lowe. He had belted 39 homers in 2021 but had not come close to that mark since. However, he has hit 21 homers in each of the past two seasons. Another 30-plus-homer season is possible.

The Tampa Bay Rays have typically won games on the strength of their pitching and defense. The roles may be reversed in 2025 as their left-handed hitters could have a new favorite stadium.