Tampa Bay Rays Top 15 Prospects

Perpetually one of baseball’s best farm systems, the Rays continuously fortify their depth through trades and development. The Shane Baz trade was a shot in the arm for a farm system that hardly needed it, and while there are only three top 100 prospects at the top of the Rays heading into 2026, there may not be another organization with more 45 future value and above talent.

1. Brody Hopkins – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (187), 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	Cutter	Curveball	CHANGEUP	COMMAND	FV
70/70	55/60	70/70	35/45	40/45	55

The brother of outfielder T.J. Hopkins, Brody was a two-way player at Winthrop University, but struggled mightily with command issues. The Mariners drafted him as a pitcher in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, and he has since started to find the zone with a little more frequency. His stuff still far outpaces the command, but that is more a testament to his five-pitch mix from a unique slot. The Rays acquired Hopkins as part of the Randy Arozarena return. He has massive upside.

Arsenal

You can tell Hopkins had the athleticism to be a quality college outfielder by the way he used to move on the mound, turning inwards with a high leg kick before uncorking from a low three-quarters angle that has him releasing the ball at a 4.8-foot release height.

In the pursuit of more strikes, Hopkins simplified his delivery heading into 2025, staying more square as he lifts his leg while raising his arm angle from roughly 16 degrees to 30 degrees. It’s still a well below-average release height of 5.2 feet, creating a unique look for his high-octane arsenal.

Hopkins fastball jumped at tick to 97 MPH in 2025 with above average carry, topping out at 101 MPH. His most used secondary is a cutter at 91-93 MPH that he will mix in close to evenly to both lefties and righties.

The most devastating swing and miss pitch is Hopkins curveball, featuring more depth than just about any of the few curveballs you can find in the upper 80s. It’s a true 70 grade that he could probably benefit from throwing more as both lefties and righties.

Hopkins changeup has a chance to be a quality pitch, but the shape and command has been far too inconsistent to mix it in more than a handful of times per game. He also experimented with a splitter.

Outlook

Hopkins has a standout pitch mix that can miss a ton of barrels, exemplified by his 28.5% strikeout rate in Double-A in 2025. He upped his overall strike rate by 3% in 2025, but will need to improve upon his below-average command to reach his front-end of the rotation ceiling.

While there’s still some reliever risk, Hopkins continues to chip away at that through his success at each stop and steady gains in the strike department. If he were to land in the bullpen, it’s the kind of stuff that could make him an All-Star closer anyway. As is, Hopkins more likely looks the part of a volatile middle-rotation piece who could flash frontline stuff when he’s on and be frustrating when he’s not.

2. Carson Williams – SS – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (28), 2021 (TB) | ETA: 2025

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/30	45/50	55/60	55/55	55/65	50

One of the game’s best defensive shortstop prospects, Williams is going to whiff a lot with the hope that he can slug and walk enough to offset it.

Check out our conversation with Carson Williams!

Offense

Williams starts with an upright stance and relies on his natural bat speed and athleticism to produce thump, but his lack of lower-half involvement leaves power/adjustability on the table for him. His bat path is geared for lift, helping him produce plenty of home runs and extra base hits, but also leaving him susceptible to higher whiff figures. 

Williams hedged the whiff with an improved approach before reaching Triple-A, where the swing decisions backed up a bit. The lack of adjustability is a concern still, as Williams’ out-of-zone contact rate of 31% was one of the lower figures in the Rays org in 2025 and could make the transition to the highest level difficult. 

There’s plus raw power in the tank for Williams, boasting a 90th percentile exit velocity of 106.5 MPH in 2025 while hitting homers as hard as 112 MPH. Even though he hit 28 homers, it was still a bit of a frustrating 2025 season between Triple-A and the big leagues as his gains both bat-to-ball and approach-wise seemed to give way, evidenced by a 61% contact rate.

Williams easily has 30 home run pop if he can make enough contact. If he can draw more walks, Williams could be a three true outcome hitter who slugs enough to make it work.

Defense/Speed

Williams is an above-average runner with an easy plus arm. His actions are smooth, and his feet are quick. He attacks the baseball with confidence and is capable of making difficult throws from all sorts of angles. Williams’ instincts at the position are ahead of his years, making him an easy bet to stick at the position and likely a plus or better defender. 

While he is not a burner, Williams is fast enough to be a factor on the base paths. He swiped 24 bags on 31 tries between Triple-A and MLB in 2025.

Outlook

A plus defender a shortstop with big power potential, is easy to get excited about, but Williams will need to make more contact for it to matter. Given the value defensively, Williams does not need to reach his offensive ceiling to be an above-average regular at shortstop.

The high strikeout rate is inevitable, though if he can hedge with more free passes and at least push towards 65% in the contact department, Williams should provide enough value to be an everyday shortstop. Just 22 years old for the first half of the 2025 season with a 32-game MLB debut already under his belt, Williams still has some time to put it all together.

3. Theo Gillen – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (18), 2024 (TB) | ETA: 2028

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/50	55/65	40/55	60/60	35/50	50

Advanced for a prep bat, Gillen slid just beyond the middle of the first round due to a rough injury history and an anticipated change from the infield dirt to the outfield as a pro. Gillen had surgery for a torn labrum in 2022 and dealt with knee and wrist issues after that, with a delayed start to the 2025 season due to a calf issue. 

The Rays moved Gillen to center field, where his plus wheels could play well as he gains more experience and reps, but his offensive upside is what the organization was mostly betting on when they snagged him 18th overall. 

Already with a smooth left-handed swing and patient approach, there’s power to dream on in Gillen’s 6-foot-3 frame as he matures physically and learns to utilize his lower half more effectively. 

He has shown signs of doing so in the early going of his pro career, popping exit velocities as high as 112 MPH with a hard hit rate north of 45% through his first 25 Low-A games. He may ultimately trend towards hit-over-power, but with potentially plus raw power in the tank and plus plate discipline, there would still be plenty going for him offensively.

Getting through a full pro season healthy will be an important first step, especially when taking on a physically demanding position like centerfield. The Rays may take Gillen’s development slowly, but he has a chance to provide above-average power and plus speed at a premium position.

4. Anderson Brito – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $10,000, 2023 (HOU) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	CURVEBALL	Cutter	Sweeper	Splitter	COMMAND	FV
60/65	50/60	40/50	40/45	40/50	35/45	50

A scouting success by the Astros, Brito was signed for $10,000 and put into a strength program, delaying his pro debut until 2024. He debuted sitting in the mid 90s and ticked up to the upper 90s in 2025. After a strong showing in the AFL, the Rays acquired Brito along with Jacob Melton in a three-team deal.

Arsenal

Brito’s fastball is his best pitch, sitting 96-98 MPH with above-average carry from an over-the-top slot. It explodes through the zone, generating above-average whiff and chase. The curveball looks like it can be his best secondary offering, sitting in the mid-80s with a hard downward break that works well off of his fastball from his slot. The shapes of all of his secondaries are generally inconsistent at this stage, which is understandable given the fact that he has only thrown 100 professional innings.

While the results have been inconsistent in the early going, Brito’s hard cutter in the upper 80s to low 90s looks like it can be a solid change of pace offering. He also mixes in a splitter that has flashed average and a sweeper.

Outlook

The command is a work in progress for Brito as he accumulates more innings, but he is a good athlete on the mound who should be able to clean up his movement to create more consistent shapes and likely more strikes with that.

The fastball, curveball combination gives him a strong foundation, and the presence of several more secondaries that have flashed provides optimism for what could be as he becomes more polished as a pitcher.

A shoulder issue, unfortunately, halted what was an impressive start to Brito’s High-A career after throwing less than 30 innings above the complex in 2024. He ended his 2025 season on a high note by showcasing some of the loudest stuff in the Arizona Fall League, helping to quiet the injury concerns that ended his regular season in June.

5. Santiago Suarez – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $385K, 2021 (MIA) | ETA: 2027

Fastball	Cutter	Slider	Curveball	Changeup	Command	FV
55/60	55/60	50/50	50/55	40/40	60/65	45+

Acquired by the Rays along with Marcus Johnson in exchange for Xavier Edwards and JT Chargois, Suarez has long been lauded for his fantastic command and has seen his stuff tick up over the last couple seasons. Suarez missed three months with “shoulder discomfort” but returned to action with his fastball velocity back in the mid 90s. The Rays sent Suarez up from High-A to Triple-A in September to get more work as it was the only Minor League level still going, where he held his own for two solid starts.

Arsenal

Though he has a four-pitch mix that he commands well, Suarez still leans relatively heavily on his fastball, going to it nearly 60% of the time in 2024. It’s a fringe-plus heater, averaging 95 MPH with above-average carry.

With his execution and ability to locate, it often plays like a plus pitch. Working off the fastball is a cutter in the upper 80s. He will throw it more frequently to righties, who struggle to differentiate it from his fastball out of his hand, resulting in high chase and plenty of weak contact.

Suarez will throw a slider a couple of ticks slower that can blend with the cutter a bit and a slurvier breaking ball at 79-82 MPH that flashes above average. The changeup lags behind the rest of Suarez’s arsenal and has somewhat started to be phased out as both the cutter and curveball play well against lefties.

Outlook

As Suarez’s stuff has progressed, it has become increasingly easy to envision a big league starter thanks to his plus command. If Suarez is able to distinguish his breaking ball shapes a bit more and perhaps find another tick, he could push closer to middle-rotation upside, but he most cleanly projects as an average No. 4 starter or high-end No. 5.

After the shoulder issue in 2025, it will be important for Suarez to avoid an IL stint in 2026 as a pitcher of his archetype’s ability to eat innings is paramount.

6. Jacob Melton – OF – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 2nd Round (64), 2023 (HOU) | ETA: 2025

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
35/40	50/50	45/50	60/60	55/55	45+

Melton is a plus runner who hits the ball really hard, but his extremely flat path creates a lot of ground balls and inconsistent results.

Hitting

Starting slightly open, Melton gathers into his back side with a medium-sized leg kick that hovers for a bit and can result in him being tardy. Melton also closes himself off somewhat with his landing spot which, paired with his flat path, can create issues on the inner half and a lot of tied-up swings.

The longer path to the ball, paired with the tendency to be late, is a compounding challenge for Melton to be able to do much damage at all to the pull side, with one of the deepest average contact points in all of baseball.

The good news is, he is such a twitchy athlete with above-average bat speed, posting plus exit velocities and a Hard Hit Rate that has hovered around 50% since the start of the 2024 season.

Melton had the tendency to be aggressive in 2024, but has cut the chase down in 2025. He still can expand against spin, but he has shrunk the zone against fastballs and changeups effectively.

When Melton is in rhythm, you can see the plus raw power as he has torched plenty of batted balls north of 110 MPH. The challenge is, his mechanics leave him exposed to velocity and stuff located in the inner-half.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Melton covers plenty of ground in centerfield and has the instincts to be an above-average defender up the middle or plus in a corner. Melton is an aggressive and efficient base stealer, swiping 92 bags on his first 107 tries as of the time of this report.

Outlook

Given the ground ball rates in the minor leagues and how overmatched he has looked in the early going against MLB pitching, Melton is likely a swing change candidate who will need to find a way to be more efficient with the ball and push his contact up.

His ability to provide value with his glove and legs takes some pressure off of the bat, but he has the raw tools to easily clear 20 homers with high BABIPs. Until he makes an adjustment to his swing, Melton projects as a fourth outfielder.

7. Daniel Pierce – SS – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 180 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (14), 2025 (TB) | ETA: 2029

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/50	N/A	30/45	60/60	45/60	45+

Pierce fits the description of what the Rays typically like to target out of the draft. His plus speed and defensive potential give him strong carrying attributes. He’s very raw offensively, but the offensive barrier to becoming a regular at shortstop is low given Pierce’s skill set.

Hitting

Standing with his hands high and in front of him, Pierce moves his hands plenty prior to his swing, pumping them downwards before inevitably pulling them up and back towards his back shoulder. The noisy and late movements hand-wise can cause his lower leaking forwards as his hands lag behind. The moving parts will need to be cleaned up for Pierce to have success against more challenging competition, but his hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel stand out. He also earns positive reviews for his knowledge of the strike zone.

It’s difficult to project Pierce’s power, given how much impact he is likely leaving on the table due to his inefficient mechanics. That said, he is an explosive athlete with room to fill out physically, providing optimism for more power. Improved mechanics could also help him leverage his ability to maneuver the barrel as well, giving him the potential for an average hit.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner with a quick first step and a plus arm, Pierce is a rangy shortstop who projects as plus at the position. With his tools and feel for the game, there’s even potential for the glove to push beyond plus territory. His wheels should make him an asset on the base paths.

Outlook

Pierce made strides offensively in his final season of high school ball, pushing him into the first round. He still has a ways to go offensively, but the glove and speed give him a very solid foundation and there’s at least some intriguing offensive ingredients to build on. He’ll likely be a relatively slower mover through the Minor Leagues relative to some of his peers, but if the bat is anywhere near league average, Pierce will be an above-average regular at shortstop.

8. TJ Nichols – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (183), 2023 (TB) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
60/60	50/50	50/55	60/60	45+

A sixth-round pick by the Rays in 2024, Nichols struggled to an ERA of 8.57 in his draft year at Arizona, largely due to command issues. Nichols not only cut his walk rate after joining the Rays org, but he also became a plus strike thrower, handing out free passes at just a 5% clip between High-A and Double-A in 2025. His command of three solid offerings has made him one of the higher floor arms in the Rays system.

Arsenal

Nichols’ three pitch mix is headlined by a mid 90s fastball that can get up to the high 90s. Between the velocity and his command of the pitch, Nichols is able to generate solid whiff numbers and plus chase figures at the top. His hard gyro slider at 85-88 MPH is a lower spin pitch at around 2,000-2,100 RPM, but his ability to consistently locate it allows it to play up to both lefties and righties.

As Nichols faces more experienced hitters, his changeup could emerge as an above-average offering, featuring 14 inches of vertical separation with a 10 MPH parachute. With both secondaries playing up due to execution, the changeup is more likely to generate consistent whiffs against more challenging competition.

Outlook

Nichols’ solid three-pitch mix and plus command give him a good chance of at least landing as a No. 5 starter. He handled a strong workload in 2025, tossing 142 innings, including the Double-A postseason.

It’s reasonable to question how his lower spin slider will play at the upper levels, but the progress of his changeup and plus fastball helps his case. If Nichols could add a fourth pitch, like a cutter or curveball, that could very well push his ceiling higher.

9. Caden Bodine – C – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 200 | Bat/Throw: S/R | 1st Round (30), 2025 (BAL) | ETA: 2027

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/60	40/50	30/35	40/40	50/60	45+

A switch-hitting catcher with great bat-to-ball and elite receiving skills, Bodine is a high probability big league backstop, but will really need to hit to carve out primary reps.

Hitting

From the left side, Bodine starts upright with his feet roughly shoulder-width apart and the bat resting on his shoulder. He gathers into his back side with a rhythmic leg kick while pulling the knob of the bat towards the catcher. His hand load creates a decent-sized barrel tip as he gets to his slot, which could make it difficult to get back on plane for higher velocity stuff, though it was far from an issue as an amateur.

He is even more narrow with his setup from the right side, with the barrel flatter as he loads his hands. Bodine produced some of the best contact rates in the country, rarely missing within the zone and spoiling pitches consistently just outside of it. The bat to ball is comparable from both sides, but he does a better job of elevating from the left side.

The power is well below-average, and he is pretty maxed out physically, giving him more of a gap-to-gap outlook with the ability to mix in a handful of homers per year. For Bodine to be a primary catcher, he has little room for his plus hit tool to degrade as a pro.

He can get a little expansive against harder spin, which will be important to monitor as plate discipline will be essential to bolstering his offensive profile, assuming the game power is around 30 grade. What’s clear is he will put the ball in play consistently, which should have a stronger correlation with a high batting average if he can increase his average launch angle on batted balls 90+ MPH.

Defense/Speed

Bodine’s calling card behind the dish is his superb ability to receive and steal strikes. His arm is fringy, but he gets the ball out quickly, resulting in average pop times. His arm strength will likely need to improve to limit the running game consistently at the highest level, but his instincts and quick transfer hedge enough. Bodine earns high marks for his intangibles as a catcher and easily projects as at least an above-average defender.

Outlook

The contact and defense give Bodine a nice floor, but his offensive profile makes it an uphill battle to a .750 OPS. The Ernie Clement profile serves as a proof of concept if Bodine does not add much raw power, but at least increases his average launch angle with the hope that he provides similar defensive value at a premium position. At worst, Bodine has a great chance of at least landing as a quality backup option.

10. Michael Forret – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 14th Round (421), 2023 (BAL) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Curveball	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
55/55	60/60	50/50	50/55	50/50	45

Forret has a good feel for a quality four-pitch mix, which has turned into dominant results in his second taste of High-A before reaching Double-A to close out the year. His breakout season resulted in him becoming a key piece in the Shane Baz return for tor the Rays.

Arsenal

Forret creates plenty of deception with a cross-fire delivery from a short arm action. As a result, hitters really struggle to pick up the ball, with his 93-95 MPH getting on hitters more quickly than the velo and extension would imply.

The right-hander’s slurvy breaking ball is even more of a challenge for hitters. Given his setup on the first base side of the rubber and landing spot on the third base side, hitters see the numbers on his back before he uncorks to snap the 82-84 MPH breaking ball with late bite. He has picked up both elite zone whiff and chase figures on it.

While Forret’s curveball and changeup don’t stand out from a data perspective, both play up for the same reasons as his slider. The curveball can blend a little with the slider at points, but the changeup has come along as another potential above-average secondary.

Adjusted from the splitter he threw previously, Forret’s arm-side fade on the pitch will generate some ugly swings from lefties who struggle to pick it up.

Outlook

The Orioles were careful with Forret’s workload through his first two pro seasons, generally keeping him below 70 pitches in each outing with 2-3 inning appearances mixed in. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain his velocity as his workload scales up, as well as how much the deception in his delivery will aid him at the upper levels. Forret has the upside for more, but he at least looks the part of a back-end starter if he can handle the workload.

11. Xavier Isaac – 1B – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 240 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (29), 2022 (TB) | ETA: 2027

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/35	50/55	60/70	45/45	40/50	45

A big, left-handed masher bat with foul pole to foul pole power, Isaac has the potential to be an offensive force if he can cut down on the whiff. Isaac’s season was cut short in 2025 due to “life-saving” brain surgery. Fortunately, Isaac was back to swinging the bat five months later and is expected to be a full go for 2026 Spring Training.

Offense

Starting slightly open with his weight slightly favoring his backside, Isaac uses an early and slow load to get himself into a powerful launch position. When everything is in rhythm, his swing is smooth, and the power is near the top of the scale, but he struggled to control and time up his big pre-swing moves against upper-level pitching in 2024 and in the early going of 2025.  

Athletic for a 6-foot-4, 240-pound slugger, Isaac has demonstrated the necessary adjustability in the box to do damage even when he is a bit out front or fooled, as his “B” swings pack a punch as well. Since the start of the 2024 season, Isaac has sported a ridiculous 55% Hard Hit rate, along with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 MPH, tops among qualified prospects in the Rays org.

Isaac has a decent feel for the strike zone and pitch recognition skills that help chip away at the whiff liability some. Offering as much power potential as just about any hitter in the minor leagues, it will just come down to whether Isaac can hit enough to get into it. He has the athleticism and mobility to do so and has already shown a willingness to tinker with his mechanics and simplify things. 

Defense/Speed

Isaac looks like an average defender at first base, but given his athleticism, the Rays gave Isaac some looks in the outfield during his time in the Arizona Fall League as well, where he did not look too shabby, given his lack of experience. He can get moving once he’s underway and picks his spots to run well, swiping 28 bags on 33 tries in his 250 pro games.

Outlook

Isaac has the potential to develop into a middle-of-the-order masher at the highest level. Not only does he possess as much power potential as just about any prospect in baseball, but he offers more athleticism in the box than most other prospects with his underlying whiff and elite exit velocities.

Isaac will need to improve his contact rates at the upper levels to project even as a bulk-platoon bat, though the most important thing is for him to be healthy, comfortable, and back on his feet in 2026 after such a significant health scare.

After losing most of the 2025 season, Isaac is still on a solid track, given how aggressively the Rays were moving him. He will be 22 years old for the entirety of the 2026 season with 72 Double-A games already under his belt.

12. Nathan Flewelling – C – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 3rd Round (94), 2024 (TB) | ETA: 2029

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/40	50/60	40/50	40/40	40/50	45

Young for the 2024 class, Flewelling is advanced for a teenage catcher, turning in an impressive first pro season at 18 years old at Low-A before earning a promotion to High-A for the final two weeks of the season. Flewelling starts with his hands low by his sternum, quickly pulling them to his launch position which can result in him looking rushed at times, leaking out with his front side to compensate.

When he’s on time, Flewelling flashes above-average power and an efficient bat path. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 MPH was well above average for a teenage bat in 2025. Flewelling’s approach is ahead of his years, running a chase rate below 20% in his pro debut, helping him walk nearly 100 times in 470 plate appearances.

Flewelling has the ingredients to be at least an average catcher as well, throwing out 27% of attempted base stealers in 2025 while being lauded for the way he goes about his business. He’ll start his age-19 season at High-A where he could be a major riser in the Rays organization ranks if he can mitigate the whiff.

13. Aidan Smith – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (124), 2023 (SEA) | ETA: 2027

HIT	PLATE DISC.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/35	50/55	45/55	65/65	55/60	45

Signed for an over-slot $1.2 million by the Mariners in 2024, Smith quickly looked like a savvy selection by the Mariners before the Rays targeted him in the Randy Arozarena deal. Smith is a tooled-up athlete who can be an asset in center, but his game is still raw.

Hitting

A simple setup and operation, Smith has his feet a bit more than shoulder-width apart with his hands sitting right by his slot before getting into a small leg kick that he has toned down over time. Smith has a good feel for the strike zone and decent pitch recognition skills that help combat his swing and miss concerns some.

Smith will need to improve in the contact department to be an everyday bat. Including his Arizona Fall League stint in 2025, Smith struck out 30% of the time in 2025 with a 68% contact rate.

Smith has above-average raw power and flashes plus exit velocities, but is still working to get his A swing off more consistently. Smith looks to pull the ball in the air which helps his case for tapping into game power, though he can sometimes sell out for velocity after looking rushed at the plate through stretched in High-A.

Smith reached exit velocities as high as 112 MPH in his age-20 season with the potential for more in the tank. It’s fair to question if his rigid swing could make it too difficult to make consistent contact, but Smith’s tools make him too exciting to not be patient with.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner with natural actions in the outfield and an above-average arm, Smith has all of the ingredients to be a plus defender in center. He gets to his top speed quickly, which helps him get great jumps in the outfield as well as on the base paths. He swiped 41 bags in back-to-back seasons.

Outlook

Smith’s defense, speed, and power give him carrying tools that team models love, but ultimately, it will come down to whether he can hit enough. Smith fits the archetype of the center fielders that the Rays like to pursue, and even in a year where he took a step back from his Low-A production, Smith turned in a 114 wRC+.

The fallback for Smith is a fourth outfielder who can potentially thrive in short-platoon matchups, but there’s still time for Smith to reach closer to his everyday centerfield ceiling.

14. Slater de Brun – OF – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round-CB (37), 2025 (BAL) | ETA: 2029

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/55	45/55	30/35	70/70	45/55	45

De Brun has a compact frame but is strong for his size with twitchy athleticism. His calling card is the double-plus wheels that help him get down the line quickly. While his speed helps him compensate, his routes can be adventurous in the outfield, sometimes a tick late on his jumps as well.

He has made strides with his swing, producing above-average contact rates on the summer circuit with a short, direct stroke. It is still on the stiffer side, lending some concern to how adjustable his swing can ultimately be, which will be important as de Brun will likely need to be a plus hitter to be an everyday player.

De Brun’s contact skills, patience, and speed give him a solid foundation, though for a player of his archetype, the hit tool and defense likely need to be closer to plus.

15. Brendan Summherhill – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round-CB (42), 2025 (TB) | ETA: 2028

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
45/55	45/55	30/40	55/55	40/50	40+

A hit-over-power prospect with a good approach, Summerhill provides a solid offensive foundation, but struggled to grow into more power in his career at Arizona (a broken hand to start his Junior season did not help). Summerhill ran an impressive 88% contact rate in his draft year at Arizona, which paired with a chase rate south of 20%, helped him walk 12 more times than he struck out.

The impact is below average, but Summerhill will showcase the ability to sneak balls out to the pull side with room for more strength in his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Summerhill is an above-average runner who can cover enough ground in centerfield to be viable out there, but is more likely to slide over to a corner where he would profile as above average.

The possible shift to a corner puts more pressure on Summerhill to slug more or at least translate to plus in the contact and on-base department. The latter is the more likely scenario and could make him an average regular in left or right.

16. Trevor Harrison – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 5th Round (156), 2023 (TB) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
60/60	50/55	40/50	35/45	40+

Harrison started focusing on pitching late in his high school career, and his stuff started to explode as he entered his senior season. The Rays shelled out an overslot $847,500 in the fifth round to sign Harrison away from FSU, and he validated that investment with a strong pro debut at both the FCL and Low-A in his age-18 season.

While a solid follow-up season, Harrison did not quite miss as many bats between Low-A and High-A in 2025 as he worked to cut down on his fastball reliance. The heater is a plus pitch sitting in the mid 90s with above average ride.

The slider flashes above average at 85-88 MPH, and he will mix in a changeup that is further off but at least shows average at times. The command is presently below average, though there’s reason to believe that Harrison can improve in that regard, given his repeatable delivery.

Harrison has back-end starter upside, but he projects best as a relief arm who could pitch at leverage, assuming the stuff ticks up in shorter spurts.

Names to Watch

Jadher Areinamo – 2B – (Double-A): Acquired from the Brewers in a deal that sent Danny Jensen the other way, Areinamo is a hyper-aggressive hitter with good contact skills and plus defense at second base. The Rays added Areinamo to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season.

Despite his 5-foot-8 frame, there’s some sneaky pull-side pop, sneaking out 15 homers in 131 games. Areinamo’s poor plate discipline caught up to him after being promoted to Double-A and could be the difference between him being an average regular at second base and a bench piece.

Fabricio Blanco – SS – (DSL): Signed for $1 million in the 2026 IFA class, Blanco enjoyed a growth spurt as signing day came closer and now looks like a potential steal in the class, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler.

Blanco is more cut from the cloth of the shortstop prospects that the Rays target than Victor Valdez, with his defensive tools and speed leading the way. There’s some excitement around his offensive game, though, given his natural feel for the barrel.

Jackson Baumeister – RHP – (Double-A): A Comp-B pick by the Orioles in 2023, a spectacular 2024 saw Baumeister burst onto the scene with the Orioles and later traded to the Rays as part of the Zach Eflin return.

A shoulder injury held Baumeister out for nearly three months in the middle of the 2025 season, stifling his momentum and his stuff. His AFL stint was also cut short by a comebacker that he took off the head, fortunately avoiding any serious injury. It was somewhat of a lost 2025 season, but there is quality stuff in the tank with some deception.

Cooper Flemming – SS – (CPX): A second-round selection by the Rays in 2025, Flemming signed an over-slot bonus of nearly $2.3 million to sign him away from a Vanderbilt commitment. It’s a simple stroke from the left wide with plenty of room to fill out, providing optimism for an intriguing hit/power combo down the line.

He will probably move off of shortstop, especially considering how many superb defenders there are at the position in the Rays org. His above-average arm would help him project well at third base.

Gary Gill Hill – RHP – (High-A): Gill Hill turned in a breakout year in 2024, pitching to a 3.15 ERA as a 19-year-old at Low-A. He pounds the strike zone, walking just 5.5% of batters at High-A in 2025, but also struggled to miss bats at the same clip (19% K).

His sinker helps him pick up ground balls, while his curveball is his best swing and miss pitch, flashing above average. Gill Hill looks like a No. 5 starter who can eat innings, and his nearly 140 frames in his age-20 season help back that up.

Brailer Guerrero – OF – (Low-A): Signed for $3.7 million in the 2023 IFA class, Guerrero has showcased some of the best raw exit velocities in the Rays organization when on the field, but recurrent shoulder issues have hampered him as well as a hamstring issue in 2025.

He looks stiff in the box, striking out around 30% of the time and looking overmatched in his AFL stint. An EV90 of 108 MPH and above-average wheels give Guerrero a rare blend of power and speed if he can stay healthy and cut down on the whiff. Those seem like two significant “ifs” though.

Ty Johnson – RHP – (Double-A): A 15th round pick by the Cubs out of Ball State in 2023, Johnson quickly looked like a steal, striking out 36% of batters between Low-A and High-A in 2024 and catching the eye of the Rays who targeted him in the Isaac Paredes trade.

A 6-foot-6 right-hander, Johnson’s unique short-arm, low three-quarters delivery creates a difficult angle on his fastball for hitters. Despite only utilizing two pitches, Johnson dominated the Southern League to a 2.61 ERA with a 35% strikeout rate in 2025.

He may ultimately land as a reliever due to the two-pitch dependence, but the improved command of his slider has helped him turn over lineups. It will be interesting to see how the Rays utilize Johnson as he is a step away from the big leagues in 2026, but he at least looks the part of a swingman.

Dominic Keegan – C – (Triple-A): A bat-first catching prospect, Keegan may have seen his shot at the big leagues in 2025 had he not dealt with an elbow issue. The raw power is prevalent, running a 90th percentile exit velocity of nearly 108 MPH between 2024 and 2025, but he has struggled to handle velocity at times, which can result in him cheating and expanding the zone.

Keegan has worked hard to be a viable catcher, looking the part as a blocker and with serviceable receiving skills, with the catch and throw lagging behind. The Rays added Keegan to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season, and he could be a part-time catcher and short/platoon power bat in the DH spot.

Tre’ Morgan – 1B – (Triple-A): A superb defender at first base who grinds out at bats, Morgan is not your typical archetype for the position, but has found ways to be productive. He will swing big, early in counts to try to maximize slug, weighing down his overall contact rates, but then gets down into his base even more with two strikes, spoiling pitches and laying off spin exceptionally. Given his fringy pop, Morgan is going to have to really hit to be an everyday first baseman, but the glove helps.

Adrian Santana – SS – (High-A): A glove-first shortstop, the Rays snagged Santana 31st overall in the 2023 draft out of the Miami prep ranks, betting on his upside as one of the younger players in the class. Santana is smaller, with a slender frame and bottom-of-the-scale power.

He’s also a double-plus runner and a clear plus defender at shortstop with great bat-to-ball skills. Santana will likely need to improve upon his 85.5 MPH average exit velocity for his plus bat-to-ball to translate into a more consistent batting average, but his speed, defense, and ability to put the ball in play give him a good chance to become a utility infield type.

Jose Urbina – RHP – (High-A): Urbina’s fastball has continued to tick up each year since signing with the Rays for $210,000 in 2023. Averaging 96.5 MPH on the heater in his age-19 season at Low-A, Urbina touched 100 MPH and flashed a quality slider off of it.

There’s no true third pitch right now, though the curveball and changeup are works in progress. Urbina has control over command, keeping the walk rate at 8%. He’s an interesting name to watch in 2026, given the foundation he already has heading into an age-20 season at High-A.

Victor Valdez – SS – (DSL): The Rays’ top 2026 IFA target at $3.5 million, Valdez boasts exciting power potential with a decent shot of sticking on the left side of the infield. He’s turned in plus run times and has a relatively simple operation where he uses his lower half better than most of his peers.