A Jim Morris sequel? Not quite. But Louis Head is a good story, too

The Rays first were interested in signing him before 2020 spring training after pro scouting/personnel director Kevin Ibach was impressed by a Twitter video of Head throwing at a performance center in Houston.

“We were looking to add a few bodies, a few arms, to camp,” Ibach said Friday night. “And, lo and behold, we came across Louis Head.”

The Rays analytics team had some interesting data from Head’s time in the minors with the Indians and Dodgers, specifically the way he spun his slider.

They reached out, but were about a week late as Head had signed with the Mariners. That didn’t work out, with Head released by Seattle after the spring shutdown.

With no interest from any big-league teams (and needing to make more money than independent ball would offer) as play re-started, Head got a job. He went door to door in Arizona selling solar panels, while starting to think the door was closed on pitching again.”...

When Head got to camp, he showed a willingness to take suggestions and instruction from the Rays coaching staff, making some slight tweaks to his slider, that allowed him to make a good impression all the way around. His work in exhibition games, then at the alternate training site, led to Friday’s promotion on his 31st birthday.

“Kudos to him for staying with it, for not giving up and for coming to camp with an open mind,” Ibach said. “The solar panel business might give you some perspective.”