2024 Sunburst Awards: Minnesota Twins games 73-75

Rays win a thrilling series! Improving to 36-39, there’s a spark of excitement

“Sunburst Awards” is a series-by-series evaluation of player performance, where four different awards are given out after each series: Offensive player of the series, defensive player of the series, pitcher of the series, and highlight play of the series. This edition will be covering the 24th series of the season, where the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Minnesota Twins from June 18 to June 20, a three game series at Target Field.

Don’t worry, Drew will be back running the Sunburst awards soon, but for this series I‘m stepping in to guest host. And what a fun series to pop into! The Rays played one of their most entertaining series in a very long time and there’s quite a few contenders for each category.

Game 1: Rays - 6 Twins - 7 (recap)

Game 2: Rays - 3 Twins - 2 (recap)

Game 3: Rays - 7 Twins - 6 (recap)

Offensive Sunburst Award: Randy Arozarena

Randy Arozarena is returning from the dead and it’s great to have the real Randy back. Arozarena finished the series 4-11 with 4 RBI, 2 2B, 1 HR, and maybe most exciting to see 2 BBs and some much needed patience at the plate.

Pitching Sunburst Award: Kevin Kelly

Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Back to back Sunburst pitching awards for Kevin Kelly! And extremely well earned. Kelly pitched in every single game of the series, giving up just 1 hit and shutting down the Twins. He saved the best for last, coming in to save the game and the mess Cleavinger left, dotting two perfect strikes for back to back Ks to preserve a 1 run lead going into the 9th.

Kevin Kelly you magnificent bastard. This award has to be yours.

Defensive Sunburst Award: Jose Siri

There was no question who this was going to be. Siri made one of the most picture perfect CF plays. Siri tracking the flyball all the way from deep center to basically standard RF, waving off Palacios knowing he has the arm to make this throw, got into position, planted perfectly and threw a dart to nail the ghost runner at 3rd and all but secure the series win.

Absolutely, one of the most impressive center field plays you will see all season. It’s not even as flashy as Siri can be, or even the most athletic catch he made this series, but it was an elite level play. Reminiscent of the legendary KK catch and throw vs Boston in the postseason.

Highlight Sunburst Award: EL RAYO!

Jose Siri, aka El Rayo, took over in the clutch moments of game 3 to ensure the Rays were getting on the plane to Pittsburgh series winners. Again, just look at this other angle of that center field laser. It’s just SO GOOD.

But the game doesn’t get to the 10th without another light tower power Siri blast.

Conclusion

The Rays travel next to Pittsburgh to face two of the most electric young starters in all of baseball: Jared Jones and Paul Skenes. Pray for Mojo the Rays bats.