2025 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 3

Earlier Winner

Brayden Taylor, 2B/3B23 | L/R | 6’0” | 180A+ | .269/.389/.514 (154 wRC+) 383 PA, 14 HR, 26 SB, 15.9% BB, 24.8% KAA | .194/.290/.435 (113 wRC+) 125 PA, 6 HR, 3 SB, 12.0% BB, 36.8% Ok

On the entire Taylor was among the finest performers within the Rays system final yr, and appears the a part of a mean main leaguer, which I promise is excessive reward for the crew’s first spherical choice from 2023. Relying on how his return to Double-A goes in 2025, he must be promoted rapidly, and will have a quick monitor to the majors ought to the Rays half with Brandon Lowe anytime quickly.

Taylor gained a decent election up in opposition to Xavier Isaac, who ranked forward of him in final yr’s neighborhood voting. Additionally receiving votes had been Chandler Simpson (3), in addition to Tre Morgan (1) and Brody Hopkins (1). There have been no Testers or Others.

Of notice: this low season CBS Sports activities is rating the highest three prospects in each system, and RJ Anderson put the Rays prime three as Carson Williams, Brayden Taylor, and — drumroll — Brody Hopkins. A well timed suggestion, given our vote right this moment! Learn his write up right here and see if he can sway you.

Candidates

Yoniel Curet, RHP22 | 6’2” | 190 A+ | 3.28 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 93.1 IP (21 GS) 30.3% Ok, 12.2% BBAA | 1.75 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 25.2 IP (5 GS) 35.9% Ok, 10.7% BB

Worldwide signing guidelines pressured the Rays so as to add Curet to the 40-man roster in 2024, which was a large vote of confidence from the group for the Dominican signee from 2019. He has physique and doesn’t want max effort for his 98 mph fastball and exhausting slider to shine. Curet will return to Double-A to see if his ERA holds, and he’ll proceed testing out a fading change as much as show he can keep on monitor creating as a starter — but when he can’t, it’s the ground of a prime flight nearer, quickly.

Gary Gill Hill, RHP20 | 6’2” | 160A | 3.15 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 108.2 IP (22 G, 21 GS) 24.2% Ok, 6.2% BB

The wheels fell off towards the tip of his first full skilled season, however earlier than these final 4 begins Gill Hill had a 2.40 ERA over his first 18 appearances for Charleston, and it’s only one unhealthy begin that pushes that over 2 runs on common. His physique has developed effectively as a starter regardless of a low arm slot, one among solely three youngsters in 2024 to amass greater than 100 IP (one of many others is fellow org pitcher Santiago Suarez). His fastball is as much as 96 mph, and he’s examined a curve, slider, change, and cutter to this point, inducing weak contact throughout.

Theo Gillen, OF19 | L/R | 6’2” | 195A | .154/.353/.192 (86 wRC+) 34 PA, 0 HR, 1 SB, 23.5% BB, 41.2% Ok

The Rays prime draft choose from 2024, the highschool outfielder had a number of critical accidents to beat to turn into the No. 18 total choose, together with labrum, wrist, and knee. His line drive swing is anticipated so as to add energy as he develops, however given his damage historical past that may be a query not a given. For now the Rays will deal with him like a top-tier heart discipline prospect, however he ought to have plenty of time to develop.

Brailer Guerrero, OF19 | L/R | 6’1” | 215CPX | .330/.452/.466 (155 wRC+) 126 wRC+, 2 HR, 13 SB, 17.5% BB, 25.4% Ok

Guerrero’s first yr state aspect went effectively sufficient, which was not a assure after requiring labrum surgical procedure simply 7 video games into his profession with the Rays after signing for $3.7 million in 2023. He obtained paid because of exit velo’s within the 110’s. This yr he made it 28 video games earlier than succumbing to a shoulder damage once more. It’s a particular bat, however he has to remain wholesome to be a viable prime prospect.

Trevor Harrison, RHP19 | 6’4” | 225CPX | 3.58 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 32.2 IP (8 G, 7 GS) 29.5% Ok, 6.1% BBA | 3.15 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 40.0 IP (9 GS) 29.3% Ok, 11.0% BB

After the Rays satisfied Harrison to forego an training at Florida State in 2023, the group waited till 2024 for his debut. The sluggish play has confirmed a promising path. His fastball sits at 95 mph (as much as 99), and his change up is efficient in opposition to reverse handed hitters. Baseball America views him because the group’s prime pitching prospect.

Brody Hopkins, RHP23 | 6’4” | 200A (SEA) | 2.90 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 83.2 IP (18 GS) 26.5% Ok, 11.2% BBA+ (TBR) | 3.45 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 31.1 IP (7 GS) 29.0% Ok, 9.9% BB

Arguably Seattle’s prime pitching prospect — and in line with Baseball Prospectus, now the Rays — Hopkins was acquired within the Arozarena commerce. He’s a tough throwing side-armer with a plus-plus slider that has extra reliever threat than your common starter, however trendy pitching minds appear to suppose he’ll be capable of stick in a rotation. His potential to maintain his lengthy arm path throwing strikes ought to make or break that risk.

Xavier Isaac, 1B/OF21 | L/L | 6’3” | 240A+ | .287/.381/.535 (157 wRC+) 302 PA, 15 HR, 14 SB, 12.3% BB, 30.1% KAA | .211/.346/.349 (113 wRC+) 133 PA, 3 HR, 1 SB, 15.8% BB, 40.6% Ok

One of many hardest hitting prospects in minor league baseball, Isaac had some contact points upon his promotion to Double-A, however that’s to be anticipated of even the very best prospects in baseball. He’s confirmed to have some pace so count on to see Isaac take a look at an outfield glove in 2025.

Tre’ Morgan, 1B22 | L/L | 6’0” | 215 A | .320/.398/.440 (149 wRC+) 115 PA, 2 HR, 9 SB, 8.7% BB, 11.3% KA+ | .371/.447/.558 (184 wRC+) 231 PA, 6 HR, 10 SB, 11.3% BB, 7.8% KAA | .211/.322/.342 (102 wRC+) 91 PA, 2 HR, 1 SB, 13.2% BB, 18.7% Ok

The inverse of Xavier Isaac, and a yr forward developmentally, Morgan is an LSU Nationwide Champ and a excessive contact first baseman with a plus-plus glove on the place. The Rays began taking part in together with his swing at Double-A amidst the tough leap, and despatched him to the 2024 AFL, the place his hitting obtained again on monitor with a .338/.391/.500 batting line over 88 PA as he examined out a nook outfield glove that I count on him to go away in Arizona.

Chandler Simpson, OF24 | L/R | 5’11” | 170A+ | .364/.431/.372 (138 wRC+) 147 PA, 0 HR, 31 SB, 10.2% BB, 10.9% KAA | /351/.401/.407 (141 wRC+) 358 PA, 1 HR, 73 SB, 8.1% BB, 7.5% Ok

Simpson graduated to Double-A pitching with out lacking a beat and eclipsed 100 SB with solely 17 caught steals throughout each ranges. That is the stuff of legends within the making. Drafted seventieth total in 2022, Simpson has been using a rocket ship powered by his personal two ft, however 2024 was the yr he proved he can hit in addition to he runs. If he can show he’s discovered outfield protection effectively sufficient for the majors (he was a second baseman in school) we’ll see him on the main league degree in 2025.

Aidan Smith, OF20 | R/R | 6’2” | 190A (SEA) | .284/.402/.470 (135 wRC+) 358 PA, 9 HR, 28 SB, 14.5% BB, 24.3% KA (TBR) | .306/.395/.486 (155 wRC+) 86 PA, 2 HR, 13 SB, 14.0% BB, 18.6% Ok

Smith has the great face. An over-slot fourth rounder the Mariners satisfied to signal out of highschool, he turned a part of the return for Randy Arozarena and proved his candy swinging begin to the season wasn’t a fluke. He’s anticipated to develop into his energy, in addition to his swing, which featured extra swing-and-miss than scouts wished to see. This was probably a product of Smith dialing in his barrel manipulation greater than the results of unhealthy selections. His run and discipline instruments have main league projection in heart, and he’s had pull aspect pop in Low-A that exceeds expectations for a teen. If he hits in Bowling Inexperienced like he did in Charleston final season, he’s a High-100 prospect.

Santiago Suarez, RHP20 | 6’2” | 175A | 4.11 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 111.2 IP (23 GS) 25.7% Ok, 4.7% BB

Suarez is all the pieces you need in a beginning pitching prospect, with projectable command and plus-plus management exhibited by his constant, low stroll charges. It’s physique and supply, a serious league fastball and curve, and he’s already mixing in a cutter maturity past his place in Charleston. He’s slated for a flip in Excessive-A subsequent season, however one has to surprise how aggressive the Rays may get together with his journey up the ladder.