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Around the Horn: Youth staff middle infield

In the final weeks leading up to Spring Training, MLB.com will be going around the horn to examine each area of the Rays' 2019 roster. This installment focuses on the middle of Tampa Bay's infield.

Projected starters: Willy Adames (SS), Joey Wendle (2B)
After struggling in his first couple of stints at the big league level, Adames showed why he was pegged as the starting shortstop of the future for Tampa Bay. In his first 34 games last season, he had a .200/.256/.296 slash line. The young shortstop was demoted to Triple-A Durham twice during that span due to inconsistent playing time and production.