• 6/8: Honeywell out for season after fracture in right elbow
An under-the-radar prospect when the Rays selected him with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2014 Draft out of Walters State CC, Honeywell has been anything but that in the pro ranks. After finishing his second full season in Double-A, Honeywell returned to the level to open '17 and received a quick bump up to the Triple-A International League, where he helped pitch Durham to a Governor's Cup title. Along the way, Honeywell was named the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game Most Valuable Player as the U.S. Team's starting pitcher. Entering '18 on the cusp of the Majors, Honeywell's chances of making his big league debut were dashed when he sustained a right elbow injury in February that required season-ending Tommy John surgery. His rehab process was going smoothly and Honeywell was nearing a return to game action in 2019 when he suffered a fracture on the inside of his right elbow while throwing a bullpen session in early June and subsequently underwent season-ending surgery.
Honeywell has no shortage of weapons at his disposal when healthy, as he'll show the ability to execute five distinct pitches in a given outing. He throws his fastball in the low-to-mid-90s, at times touching 95-96 mph with late sinking action, and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including his trademark screwball as well as a plus changeup. His feel for commanding his above-average mid-80s slider down in the zone gives him yet another out pitch, while his curveball represents a quality change-of-pace offering. Throwing strikes has never been a problem for Honeywell, whose natural athleticism, smooth mechanics and repeatable delivery all work in harmony to allow him to pound the zone consistently. He's also a fearless competitor on the mound, one who receives raves for his ability to mix pitches, set up hitters and execute a game plan.
Honeywell probably would have already established himself as a fixture in Tampa Bay's starting rotation had his 2018-19 campaigns not been wiped out by injuries. While it's yet to be seen how Honeywell's latest setback might impact his future role, it's safe to assume that the Rays will be extra cautious in managing the right-hander's rehab process. If all goes as planned, Honeywell should return to the mound at some point in 2020, in his age-25 season. Transactions Team Date Transaction 10/11/2019 Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Brent Honeywell Jr.. 10/02/2019 Tampa Bay Rays reassigned RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. to the minor leagues. 09/30/2019 Tampa Bay Rays recalled RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. from Durham Bulls. 04/01/2019 Durham Bulls placed RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. on the 7-day injured list. 03/09/2019 Tampa Bay Rays optioned RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. to Durham Bulls. 10/01/2018 Tampa Bay Rays recalled Brent Honeywell Jr. from Durham Bulls. 04/05/2018 Durham Bulls placed RHP Brent Honeywell on the 7-day disabled list. 03/10/2018 Tampa Bay Rays optioned RHP Brent Honeywell to Durham Bulls. 11/20/2017 Tampa Bay Rays selected the contract of Brent Honeywell from Durham Bulls. 09/03/2017 Durham Bulls activated RHP Brent Honeywell. 08/28/2017 RHP Brent Honeywell roster status changed by Durham Bulls. 07/15/2017 Durham Bulls activated RHP Brent Honeywell from the temporarily inactive list. 07/08/2017 Durham Bulls placed RHP Brent Honeywell on the temporarily inactive list. 04/16/2017 RHP Brent Honeywell assigned to Durham Bulls from Montgomery Biscuits. 07/07/2016 RHP Brent Honeywell assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Charlotte Stone Crabs. 06/25/2016 Charlotte Stone Crabs activated RHP Brent Honeywell from the 7-day disabled list. 05/20/2016 Charlotte Stone Crabs placed RHP Brent Honeywell on the 7-day disabled list. 06/25/2015 RHP Brent Honeywell assigned to Charlotte Stone Crabs from Bowling Green Hot Rods. 04/06/2015 RHP Brent Honeywell assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods from Princeton Rays. 06/20/2014 RHP Brent Honeywell assigned to Princeton Rays. 06/17/2014 Tampa Bay Rays signed RHP Brent Honeywell.
