Which Rays player has been the most valuable so far this season?

ST. PETERSBURG — That was this spring, right?

Back when the Rays were the feel-good story throughout the game, their 13-0 start and records-challenging offensive barrage into May forcing daily stats checks and historical comps to long-forgotten teams such as the St. Louis Maroons.

But as the months roll by, stuff happens. Injuries mount, bats cool, relievers struggle, depth issues get exposed, a star player (Wander Franco) gets benched, Tropicana Field magic wears off and reality hits.

No, the Rays were not going to threaten the record 116 wins shared by the 2001 Mariners and 1906 Cubs. And, yes, they basically have been a .500 team since May 6.

But as they stagger to the All-Star break, having played a majors-most 93 games (in 102 days), they still have the best record in the American League. They also have overwhelming odds to make the playoffs, though, obviously, not winning the AL East would be a major disappointment.

Here is a quick review of the some of the key performances leading to where they are (stats through Friday).

Most valuable Ray

When raised a month ago, this was a challenging question because there were four strong candidates playing very well. So much that all were chosen American League All-Stars. (Yandy Diaz was the pick here.)

But since then, Shane McClanahan has had a tight back and an increased ERA, Diaz stopped hitting homers, and Randy Arozarena and Franco started striking out more and walking less.

So, who do you pick now? A case could be made for each, with the usual framing of best or most valuable player.

McClanahan had been the one constant in the injury-marred rotation before the back issue sidelined him. Even with a 4.43 ERA over his last four starts, he still shares the majors’ lead with 11 wins and is in the top four with a 2.53 ERA. He is expected back healthy on July 16.

Diaz, who leads the AL in on-base percentage (.404) and is second in average (.316) and OPS (.904), sets the tone at the top of the lineup.

Arozarena, who leads the team in RBIs (58) and homers (16, tied with Jose Siri), and is just behind Diaz with a .386 OBP, is a source of energy.

But the player who can impact the Rays the most ways — at the plate, on the bases and in the field — has been Franco.

The 22-year-old shortstop leads AL position players with a 4.2 WAR rating, per baseball-reference.com. The only other player in the majors with a better combination of Franco’s .284 average, 11 homers, 44 RBIs, 28 steals and .810 OPS is Atlanta superstar Ronald Acuna Jr.

In addition, Franco’s play at a premium position has been strong, his seven errors offset by 12 defensive runs saved, third-most among all major-league infielders, per The Fielding Bible.

Biggest disappointment (injury division)

That the list is long enough to warrant a separate category speaks to the level of disappointment for team officials, who never got to see their projected 26-man roster active.

The impact was most severe on the rotation, so it makes sense to start there.

Jeffrey Springs seemed primed for a big season, and his dazzling performance in three starts before blowing out his elbow (one run and 24 Ks in 16 innings) certainly validated that. Losing Drew Rasmussen in mid-May was another cruel blow.

Also considered: Brandon Lowe

Biggest disappointment (non-injury division)

The back issues that sidelined Lowe was one problem. His performance when active (.213, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, .723 OPS) is another.

But there has been a bigger problem in the lineup, and that is the production of the catchers. Between them, Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia are hitting .225 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and an OPS in the low .600s. Per baseball-reference.com’s Wins Above Average calculation, their combined -0.6 is worst at any position for the Rays and in the bottom third of the majors.

Also considered: Jason Adam, Manuel Margot, Taylor Walls

Most pleasant surprise

Several times as the Rays went through the various winter roster deadlines and moves, the question was asked why they still had Luke Raley. His showing in limited 2022 action — .197 average, one homer, four RBIs, .584 OPS — certainly didn’t warrant it.

But the Rays saw something, and with no proven lefty bat brought in to replace him Raley proved worthy of their faith with a .276-15-36-.946 stat line exceeded by only six other players in the majors (all who were invited to the All-Star Game).

Also considered: Zach Eflin, Kevin Kelly, Josh Lowe, Isaac Paredes

Rays rumblings

Hillsborough County commissioner Ken Hagen told Fox 13 News they are working on a stadium plan for the Rays and, with a few details remaining, are “perilously close to being in a position where we will be able to present something formally and begin negotiations.” .... The Rays are among several teams interested in starter Chris Flexen, recently designated for assignment by the Mariners and Mets. The connection with Tom O’Connell, his Tampa-based agent who also reps Eflin, could help. … Alex Feuz, who has been sharing radio intern duties with Parker Welch, heads to Double-A Montgomery this week for a nine-game run filling in on play-by-play duties. That job is open with Chris Adams-Wall getting the Rays’ pre-/postgame gig. … Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci picked McClanahan as his first-half AL Cy Young winner, Kevin Cash second for top manager and Franco fourth for league MVP. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman also picked McClanahan. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark had McClanahan third, Cash second and Franco among the runners-up to Shohei Ohtani. ... Eflin, asked his thoughts on not being named to the AL All-Star team to replace injured Rays mate Shane McClanahan: “It sucks. But it is what it is, and I’ll leave it at that.” Working against Eflin was that he is starting Sunday, so he wouldn’t have been able to pitch in Seattle anyway. .... Per a bookies.com ranking of social media followers, the Rays are 7th among Florida pro teams, 25th among 30 MLB teams and 104th of the 124 teams in the four major pro sports leagues in terms of social media followers with 2.3 million. … USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale described the Rays as “the guys driving a Ford Taurus and leading the Indy 500.”

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