Tre’ Morgan: The Rays’ Next Swiss Army Knife

Elite Bat-to-Ball Skills, Defensive Versatility, and a High Floor Make Tre’ Morgan Prospect to Keep an Eye on

The Rays reported to Port Charlotte about two weeks ago, and with 72 players on the active Spring training roster, the Rays are looking at all options for the present and future. One of those exciting players of the future is Tre’ Morgan. Morgan was drafted out of LSU by the Rays in the third round, and he has been ranked the fifth best first base prospect in the minors.

Hitting Tool

In his second season as a pro, Morgan showcased his polished bat-to-ball skills by putting together a superb slash line .324/.408/.483 alongside a wRC+ of 158. He struggled when he arrived at double-A but only played 21 games, and he was still able to put a 102 wRC+. Morgan’s value proposition comes with his elite command of the strike zone; in 2024, he posted a BB/K of 1.00 (0.71 in double-A, but still very good). He does not strike out often and walks a lot, which is usually the blueprint to success for all prospects. His elite eye is further proven by his low whiff rate (11.1% in 2024) and above-average contact percentage, allowing him to get on base at a high clip. He is a true gap-to-gap hitter, capable of spraying the ball all over the field. Whether jumping on a fastball to the right field or waiting on a breaking ball and depositing it to the opposite field, the 40% opposite-field rate speaks for itself.

Defensive Versatility

Morgan’s elite defense will most likely help him sneak into Rays’ daily lineup. According to Fangraph’s latest top prospect ranking, Morgan has a current 70-grade defensive tool (80 in the future), which puts him at the top of the Rays’ system, above reigning MiLB defensive player of the year Carson Williams. In the later part of the 2024 season, Morgan started trying out corner outfield. If he can develop into a true multi-position player, he will add so much value to his already polished skill set. Morgan’s defensive versatility can grant him everyday opportunities with first base crowded with players such as Jonathan Aranda and Xavier Issac.

Morgan’s MLB-ready bat-to-ball skills and strong strike zone command give him a very high floor. He profiles as a low-700s OPS guy with elite defense at first base who can also get some corner outfield reps. Morgan, alongside prospects Xavier Issac, Carson Williams, Chandler Simpson, and Brayden Taylor, represents a key piece of the Rays’ future.