2025 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 25

Earlier Winner

24. Joe Rock, LHP24 | 6’6” | 200AAA | 4.58 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 139.2 IP (27 G, 23 GS) 21.6% Ok, 5.7% BB

Rock popped late in Spring Coaching because of a ringing endorsement from FanGraphs, incomes an eleventh general rating because of his deception and robust (for a lefty) velocity, and tabbing his command as his greatest instrument regardless of an atypical throwing movement. Rock was the return for internally beloved SS/OF Greg Jones, a former first rounder who was traded to the Rockies when his improvement didn’t sync with the foremost league facet’s openings. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Rock’s timing has higher luck.

Joe Rock popped late this spring within the blogosphere because of a ringing endorsement from FanGraphs, which ranked him No. 11 within the Rays system. For us, he is available in proper the place he was final 12 months. FG wrote that Rock “appears to be like like a prehistoric chook” when he pitches. Could all of us aspire to put in writing in addition to that prime bar.

Candidates

Gregory Barrios, SS21 | R/R | 6’0” | 180A+ (MIL) | .325/.367/.429 (128 wRC+) 256 PA, 1 HR, 18 SB, 5.1% BB, 9.4% KA+ (TBR) | .240/.310/.286 (77 wRC+) 198 PA, 0 HR, 18 SB, 8.6% BB, 14.6% Ok

This slick fielding Venezuelan prospect was picked up from the Brewers within the Civale commerce in early July, and with a glove that ought to carry him to the Majors in some capability, the Rays locked him into a brief cease position. His outcomes present eager strikezone consciousness for his stage, and an aggressive however profitable strategy on the bottom paths. He’s mainly 2023 thirty first general choose Adrian Santana, however two years older and one stage increased. You may by no means have too a lot of these.

Nathan Flewelling, C18 | L/R | 6’2” | 200 Drafted No. 94 general 2024

Energy hitting teenage catcher Flewelling confirmed as much as his first Spring Coaching and impressed, making his approach onto the workforce’s Spring Breakout roster. He’ll be given the time to develop on the place, and has the potential to be a can’t miss prospect if he continues to hit and develop bodily like he has so far.

Ben Peoples, RHP24 | 6’1” | 175AA | 3.42 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 55.1 IP (12 GS) 24.9% Ok, 10.0% BB

It’s a small miracle the Rays didn’t lose Ben Peoples within the Rule 5 draft this low season, as pitchers with 97 mph cutters don’t develop on bushes. Given the current change in beginning pitching depth, and a few persistent command points, a aid position appears doubtless. He flashes a high quality vertical breaking ball from a excessive launch level, and will get an extended look in Spring Coaching as a possible excessive leverage arm for 2025.

Jeremy Pilon, LHP19 | 6’0” | 200CPX | 3.28 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 46.2 IP (12 G, 9 GS) 30.7% Ok, 16.1% BBA | 3.21 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 14.0 IP (4 G, 3 GS) 35.5% Ok, 22.6% BB

Tampa Bay drafted Pilon late in 2023 after he pitched at a showcase on the Trop, the place they cherished his excessive spin charges. The younger Pilon out-performed his age in 2024, because of that 12-6 curveball, however he’ll want a 3rd plus pitch to have main league projection. Developmentally, he’s fortunate that low velo tends to not damage a lefty’s profile, and that point is on his facet.

Emilien Pitre, 2B22 | L/R | 5’11” | 185A | .299/.402/.403 (141 wRC+) 92 PA, 0 HR, 7 SB, 13.0% BB, 12.0% Ok

It’s mildly stunning to place a second baseman with no pop in competition for a prime prospect listing, however the Rays have been aggressive to seize the Quebecois within the second spherical of this 12 months’s draft after he proved his contact-forward hitting for Kentucky playable within the wooden bat Cape Cod League, regardless of the shortage of energy. He’s a plus runner and rangy, giving ample protection up the center. In 21 video games performed after the draft the Rays by no means tried him elsewhere than second, nevertheless it’d be attention-grabbing to see if his arm can play at quick in a pinch.

Adrian Santana, SS19 | S/R | 5’11” | 155A | .240/.300/.305 (82 wRC+) 455 PA, 0 HR, 51 SB, 7.5% BB, 15.8% Ok

Don’t let anybody look down on the Holy Metropolis’s quick cease simply because he’s younger. He’s quick, he’s swinging onerous from either side of the plate, and he can steal a base. Most of all, 2023’s No. 31 general choose is right here to defend, however that doesn’t imply his bat must be dismissed, given how low the strikeout charges are. His OBP will keep low till his physique catches as much as the expectations of professional ball, however time is on his facet to maintain growing and including muscle.

Bob Seymour, 1B26 | L/R | 6’3” | 250AA | .290/.349/.466 (140 wRC+) 292 PA, 9 HR, 2 SB, 7.5% BB, 27.4% KAAA | .269/.353/.601 (140 wRC+) 218 PA, 19 HR, 3 SB, 11.0% BB, 34.9% Ok

Seymour hits homeruns like he’s a former collegiate baseball participant clubbing moon photographs over the fence in a bush league recreation, aside from course being that that is skilled baseball, and he’s knocking on the door of the majors. As soon as the 2019 ACC Participant of the 12 months, Seymour was drafted within the thirteenth spherical in 2021 and has proven that his energy performs at each stage, punishing baseballs into the 110’s in exit velo, and curiously leads the minors with a .520 xwOBA on contact (min. 100 balls in play). Principally if he hits it, he’s getting on base. Is that sufficient to earn promotion?

Will Simpson, 1B/3B23 | R/R | 6’3” | 225A+ | .270/.373/.480 (142 wRC+) 474 PA, 16 HR, 4 SB, 14.6% BB, 24.7% KAA | .348/.408/.493 (155 wRC+) 76 PA, 2 HR, 1 SB, 9.2% BB, 23.7% Ok

A complementary piece to Joe Boyle within the commerce that despatched Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics, Simpson is a 2023 fifteenth rounder out of Univ. Washington that cruised via the minors as any good school bat ought to in A-ball. He tasks without any consideration handed first baseman, which might be dime-a-dozen, so anticipate him to log extra time at third base within the Rays system. Regardless of energy to all fields, he has a considerably grooved swing. To advance, he’ll want to point out higher barrel management.

Jose Urbina, RHP19 | 6’3” | 180CPX | 4.50 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 48.0 IP (13 G, 8 GS) 21.7% Ok, 12.1% BBA | 5.29 ERA, 6.11 FIP, 17.0 IP (4 GS) 18.2% Ok, 6.1% BB

The Venezuelan was elevated to the Holy Metropolis on the finish of 2024, persevering with the workforce’s aggressive push along with his improvement. He traded his curveball for a better to find slider mid-season, however so far lacks a plus third pitch. That’s okay when you’ve a 99 mph fastball with size in your supply. Issues with that supply being repeatable appear overstated at his younger age.

Owen Wild, RHP23 | 6’2” | 230A | 3.06 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 35.1 IP (7 GS) 26.6% Ok, 6.3% BBA+ | 2.72 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 86.0 IP (17 G, 15 GS) 31.9% Ok, 6.2% BB

Wild has an 80-grade baseball title for a pitcher that hasn’t discovered his fall off the desk breaking ball simply but. The 2023 seventh-rounder out of Gonzaga continues to be throwing within the low-90s, however has a plus fading change up that may very well be his ticket to the majors. He shouldered 121 innings in his first skilled season, with a dip and drive, over-the-top supply that appears clear, though repeatability is a priority with a truncated arm stroke that may be slightly late. He ought to return to Excessive-A in 2024, however may see promotion rapidly if his third pitch locks in.