January 21, 2023

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Right-hander Trevor Brigden is one of 18 minor league players the Tampa Bay Rays have invited to big league spring training.

The Rays made the announcement on Thursday.

Bridgen, who hails from North York, Ont., and honed his skills with the Ontario Terriers, was selected in the 17th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Rays. The 6-foot-3 right-hander, who also played for Okanagan College, posted a 3.28 ERA and struck out 63 batters in 46 2/3 innings in 30 relief appearances for the double-A Montgomery Biscuits in 2022, prior to being promoted to triple-A Durham where he registered a 2.17 ERA in seven relief outings.

The 27-year-old Canuck had split 2021 between Low-A, High-A and triple-A and finished with a combined 7-2 record and a 4.59 ERA, while fanning 69 batters in 49 innings, in 31 appearances.

Prior to starring on the mound for the Okanagan College Coyotes, he toed the rubber for Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pa., in 2015 and 2016.

Brigden also pitched for the Canadian national team in the WBSC Americas Olympic Qualifier in May 2021.

Rays pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on February 14. The Rays will hold their spring training at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando due to the damage their facility in Port Charlotte suffered during Hurricane Ian in late September.

For a full list of the Rays’ non-roster spring training invitees, click here.