We’re nearing summer, so that means we all start thinking of the beach.

We start thinking of laying on a blanket in the sand, listening to our favorite tunes, going for a dip in the water and getting sand in the soggy sandwiches we picked up from the deli down the road.

That means it’ll soon be metal detector season. As funny as it can be to watch someone walking up and down a beach in search of riches, you have to admire their dedication to the quest of finding something of value — hidden gems, if you will — buried underneath the sand.  

Fantasy managers must always have their metal detectors available while scouring the waiver wires, and the beaches of Tampa Bay are a good place to start.

Taj Bradley was solid over five seasons in the minor leagues, going 23-16 with a 2.66 ERA, 10 strikeouts per nine and 2.8 walks per nine.

The 22-year-old made his big league appearance against the Red Sox on April 12, allowing three runs while striking out eight and walking one. It was a solid debut, but it was expected to be a one-and-done start for the Rays’ No. 2 prospect. Injuries changed that, however, and he was brought back to face Cincinnati on Tuesday. He looked even better in that start, tossing 5 ¹/₃  scoreless innings while striking out nine, walking one and getting 11 swinging strikes.

Over his first two starts, Bradley is 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA, 14.8 strikeouts per nine and 1.7 walks per nine.

It’s a very small sample size, but among pitchers with a minimum of 10 innings pitched (again, very small sample size), Bradley had the second-best strikeouts per nine rate, the 20th best WHIP (0.97) and a 12.3 percent swinging-strike rate. His 1.74 walks per nine innings and 2.61 ERA also ranked among the top 30 entering the weekend.

Opponents are hitting .211 against him with a .164 expected batting average, which ranks in the top 7 percent of the league. His 42.5 percent whiff rate is in the top 2 percent, and his xERA (1.58) is in the top 3 percent. The 22-year-old righty also has a 0.61 FIP, 2.12 xFIP and .381 BABIP, all good indicators he is for real.

Again, it has been just two starts for a very young pitcher, but that sample size is about to get a lot bigger with Jeffrey Springs expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the season. (Shane Baz is already done for the year, and the walking injury known as Tyler Glasnow may be back next month, barring setbacks.)

Bradley has a fastball, which he has thrown 49.1 percent of the time,  that averages 96 mph and tops out at 98. Over his first two starts, opponents are hitting .174 (.151 xBA) against it with 10 strikeouts (in 23 at-bats) and a 28.9 percent whiff rate, according to Baseball Savant.

Bradley also has a 44.4 percent whiff rate with his changeup, a pitch he uses 12.4 percent of the time. Opponents are hitting .333 against it, but have a .053 expected average against it. He also has a  50 percent whiff rate and a .182 xBA with his curveball, which has accounted for about 10 percent of his pitches.

Probably the biggest (and best) thing Bradley has going for him is the fact he pitches for the Rays. Being on a contender is a bonus, but Tampa Bay consistently gets the best out of its young arms. Roto Rage believes that makes Bradley a must-add.  He was the fifth-most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week behind Justin Steele, Johan Oviedo, Hunter Brown and Sonny Gray, and remains about 75 percent available.

The metal detector is pinging, you’ve found your hidden gem.

A look at some other pitchers, owned in fewer than 30 percent of ESPN leagues, who could be worth an add:

Zach Eflin (20.5 percent), on the IL since April 11 because of lower-back tightness but likely to return  Sunday, is another Rays hurler who should be on your radar. He was striking out 9.82 per nine innings while walking 0.82 per nine innings, the fifth-best mark in the majors among pitchers who tossed at least 10 innings. He also had a 14 percent swinging-strike rate, his FIP (2.59) and xFIP (2.68) were well below his ERA, and his .355 BABIP indicates he had some bad luck.

Miami’s Edward Cabrera (12.4 percent) walked 13 batters and had a 5.40 ERA in his first two starts, but showed more control over his past two starts, when he went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, 12 strikeouts and just three walks. Against the Giants on Tuesday, he walked two, had eight strikeouts and 20 swinging strikes. If he can keep those walks in check, he would be a sneaky addition.

Oakland’s Mason Miller (9 percent) allowed two runs and walked one over 4 ¹/₃  innings in his big league debut, but also struck out five and had a 12.5 percent swinging-strike rate. Four of those strikeouts came against his fastball, which tops out at 103.1 mph.

The 24-year-old has swing-and-miss stuff, as evidenced by his 26.4 percent swinging-strike rate over two minor league starts this year and 23 percent over six starts in 2022. Despite being on the worst team in the majors, he could be a great find.

Justin Steele SP, Cubs

He was 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA, 16 strikeouts and a .167 opponents’ average in his past three starts. He has a 15 percent swinging-strike rate with his slider, which opponents are hitting .061 against.

Marcus Semien 2B/SS, Rangers

Entered Friday on a six-game hitting streak, going 11-for-23 (.478) with three homers, 11 RBIs, 10 runs, a stolen base and a 1.484 OPS in that span.

Johan Oviedo SP, Pirates

Allowing four earned runs in his first start, but just two earned runs in his past three while going 2-1 with a 0.92 ERA and 21 strikeouts.

Cody Bellinger OF, Cubs

At least one hit in nine of 10 games before Friday, hitting .385 with three homers, seven RBIs, 12 runs, two stolen bases and a 1.137 OPS.

Byron Buxton OF, Twins

Average dropped from .324 on April 9 to .226  after he went 3-for-28 (.107) with 15 strikeouts, a .235 OBP and .485 OPS in his past nine games.

Scott Barlow RP, Royals

Picked up one save over his first three scoreless outings of the season, but was 0-2 with a 17.18 ERA, a blown save and .389 opponents’ average over his previous four outings (3 ²/₃  innings) before Friday.

George Springer OF, Blue Jays

Entered the weekend hitless in his previous 17 at-bats, and was just 9-for-48 (.188) with 13 strikeouts and a .264 OBP over his previous 12 games.

Brady Singer SP, Royals

Allowed 18 earned runs and five homers while going 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA, .348 opponents’ average and a 1.046 OPS in his past three starts.

Another Brick in the Walls