PORT CHARLOTTE — It was getting close to 8:30 on Sunday morning. In 30 minutes there would be a brief team meeting. In 45 minutes, Rays pitchers and catchers would head out to the practice field for the first official workout of the spring.
That’s when Blake Snell, the minor-league player of the year last summer, and fellow pitching prospect Jacob Faria walked into the clubhouse at Charlotte Sports Park.
And that’s when Chris Archer let the pair know that was not going to cut it.
With reporters standing nearby, Archer said it was “unacceptable” for two players with zero service time in the big leagues to arrive that late, even though team rules require them only to be on time for the workout.