2025 DRaysBay Community Prospect List

Eleven new players enter the annual top prospect list.

Welcome back to the annual DRaysBay Community Prospect List, a treasured tradition at the site where our community diligently votes for the top prospects in the Rays system.

Several players graduated from the list last season in 3B Junior Caminero (1), RHP Shane Baz (3), INF Curtis Mead (7), CF Jonny DeLuca (8)

1. Carson Williams, SS
22 | R/R | 6’2” | 180
AA | .256/.352/.469 (142 wRC+) 505 PA, 20 HR, 33 SB, 11.5% BB, 28.5% K

Currently in the conversation for the best prospect in baseball, he’s a power hitting, plus defending short stop that Baseball America describes a “big league ready” with the glove and 500 PA away from the polish needed to not be overwhelmed at the top level. Williams has yet to be slowed by any stop in his minor league career, despite some strikeout fears. There seems to be some surprise he’s never tried any positions than short, but given the glaring long term need at that position at the major league level, why mess with a good thing.

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

On the whole Taylor was one of the best performers in the Rays system last year, and looks the part of an average major leaguer, which I promise is high praise for the team’s first round selection from 2023. Depending on how his return to Double-A goes in 2025, he should be promoted quickly, and could have a fast track to the majors should the Rays part with Brandon Lowe anytime soon.

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

One of the hardest hitting prospects in minor league baseball, Isaac had some contact issues upon his promotion to Double-A, but that is to be expected of even the best prospects in baseball. He’s proven to have some speed so expect to see Isaac test an outfield glove in 2025.

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

The inverse of Xavier Isaac, and a year ahead developmentally, Morgan is an LSU National Champ and a high contact first baseman with a plus-plus glove at the position. The Rays started playing with his swing at Double-A amidst the difficult jump, and sent him to the 2024 AFL, where his hitting got back on track with a .338/.391/.500 batting line over 88 PA as he tested out a corner outfield glove that I expect him to leave in Arizona.

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

Simpson graduated to Double-A pitching without missing a beat and eclipsed 100 SB with only 17 caught steals across both levels. This is the stuff of legends in the making. Drafted 70th overall in 2022, Simpson has been riding a rocket ship powered by his own two feet, but 2024 was the year he proved he can hit as well as he runs. If he can prove he’s learned outfield defense well enough for the majors (he was a second baseman in college) we’ll see him at the major league level in 2025.

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

Smith has the good face. An over-slot fourth rounder the Mariners convinced to sign out of high school, he became part of the return for Randy Arozarena and proved his sweet swinging start to the season wasn’t a fluke. He’s expected to grow into his power, as well as his swing, which featured more swing-and-miss than scouts wanted to see. This was likely a product of Smith dialing in his barrel manipulation more than the result of bad decisions. His run and field tools have major league projection in center, and he’s had pull side pop in Low-A that exceeds expectations for a teenager. If he hits in Bowling Green like he did in Charleston last season, he’s a Top-100 prospect.

7. Yoniel Curet, RHP
22 | 6’2” | 190
A+ | 3.28 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 93.1 IP (21 GS) 30.3% K, 12.2% BB
AA | 1.75 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 25.2 IP (5 GS) 35.9% K, 10.7% BB

International signing rules forced the Rays to add Curet to the 40-man roster in 2024, which was a massive vote of confidence from the organization for the Dominican signee from 2019. He has a good body and doesn’t need max effort for his 98 mph fastball and hard slider to shine, although his delivery has red flags from start to finish. Curet will return to Double-A to see if his ERA holds, and he’ll continue testing out a fading change up to prove he can stay on track developing as a starter — but if he can’t, it’s the floor of a top flight closer, soon.

8. Brody Hopkins, RHP
23 | 6’4” | 200
A (SEA) | 2.90 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 83.2 IP (18 GS) 26.5% K, 11.2% BB
A+ (TBR) | 3.45 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 31.1 IP (7 GS) 29.0% K, 9.9% BB

Arguably Seattle’s top pitching prospect — and, according to Baseball Prospectus, now the Rays top arm — Hopkins was acquired in the Arozarena trade. He is a hard throwing side-armer with a plus-plus slider that has more reliever risk than your average starter, but modern pitching minds seem to think he’ll be able to stick in a rotation. His ability to keep his long arm path throwing strikes should make or break that possibility. BPro’s most recent write up calls him “Kirkland-brand Kumar Rocker” with a mid-rotation projection.

9. Dom Keegan, C
24 | R/R | 6’0” | 210
AA | .285/.371/.435 (138 wRC+) 442 PA, 9 HR, 0 SB, 11.3% BB, 20.4% K

Keegan continued his run as one of the system’s top hitters last season, spending all year at Double-A and blossoming from a bat with major league projection but limited time behind the plate into a high-potential mainstay for the future Rays. Boasting one of the highest average exit velo’s in the organization, he’s slotted for Triple-A next year and seems to be on a clear and steady climb to the majors thanks to an ability to hit the ball hard enough to make up for any mistakes made by his flat-plane swing, and his consistent development of the intangibles needed to be a starter behind the plate.

10. Trevor Harrison, RHP
19 | 6’4” | 225
CPX | 3.58 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 32.2 IP (8 G, 7 GS) 29.5% K, 6.1% BB
A | 3.15 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 40.0 IP (9 GS) 29.3% K, 11.0% BB

After the Rays convinced Harrison to forego an education at Florida State in 2023, the organization waited until 2024 for his debut. The slow play has showed a promising path. His delivery is cleaner, his fastball sits at 95 mph (up to 99), and his change up is effective against opposite handed hitters. Baseball America views him as the organization’s top pitching prospect, but with “premium stuff” he’s also the big fish in a little pond.

11. Gary Gill Hill, RHP
20 | 6’2” | 160
A | 3.15 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 108.2 IP (22 G, 21 GS) 24.2% K, 6.2% BB

The wheels fell off toward the end of his first full professional season, but before those last four starts Gill Hill had a 2.40 ERA over his first 18 appearances for Charleston, and it’s just one bad start that pushes that over 2 runs on average. His body has developed well as a starter despite a low arm slot, one of only three teenagers in 2024 to amass more than 100 IP (one of the others is fellow org pitcher Santiago Suarez). His fastball is up to 96 mph, and he’s tested a curve, slider, change, and cutter thus far, inducing weak contact all around. (Video above)

12. Jackson Baumeister, RHP
22 | 6’4” | 224
A+ (BAL) | 3.06 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 70.2 IP (18 GS) 29.5% K, 14% BB
A+ (TBR) | 1.24 ERA, 1.59 FIP, 29.0 IP (7 G, 5 GS) 41.9% K 4.8% BB

Entering the season, the 63rd overall pick from the 2023 draft was a two-way prospect (catcher) out of Florida State who was still learning to pitch, but the lack of mileage only enticed the Rays to nab him in the Eflin trade at the deadline. His 95 mph fastball has pro carry, and in early showings he’s flashed several major league breaking balls. What he’s throwing is a moving target, but that’s because he’s teachable and that adds projection. His delivery has relief risk in its high elbow and torque, but not as much as Curet. He dialed in his command in his seven games with the Rays. If he can average 50 grade command he’s a No. 3 starter.

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

The Rays top draft pick from 2024, the high school outfielder had several serious injuries to overcome to become the No. 18 overall pick, including labrum, wrist, and knee. His line drive swing is expected to add power as he develops, but given his injury history that is a question not a given. For now the Rays will treat him like a blue chip center field prospect, but he should have lots of time to develop.

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

Guerrero’s first year state side went well enough, which was not a guarantee after requiring labrum surgery just 7 games into his career with the Rays after signing for $3.7 million in 2023. He got paid thanks to exit velo’s in the 110’s. This year he made it 28 games before succumbing to a shoulder injury again. It’s a special bat, but he has to stay healthy to be a viable top prospect.

15. Ty Johnson, RHP
23 | 6’6” | 205
A (CHC) | 3.48 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 33.2 IP (10 G, 4 GS) 36.1% K, 7.5% BB
A+ (CHC) | 3.62 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 27.1 IP (8 G, 6 GS) 28.4% K, 10.3% BB
A+ (TBR) | 0.78 ERA, 0.95 FIP, 23.0 IP (6 G, 3 GS) 46.4% K, 4.8% BB

Acquired as the final piece of the Paredes trade, Johnson is tall with blossoming velocity as a professional. His fastball is flat but up to 98 and he features a breaking ball with glove-side action that has constantly improved since being drafted. Johnson’s delivery has a unique dip and drive that features a compact arm action for his size, and finishes with a late leg kick and spin. His lack of a third pitch gives a reliever projection, but the Rays pitching lab has plenty of time to see if they can develop something horizontal to give him a starter’s projection.

16. Santiago Suarez, RHP
20 | 6’2” | 175
A | 4.11 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 111.2 IP (23 GS) 25.7% K, 4.7% BB

Suarez is everything you want in a starting pitching prospect, with projectable command and plus-plus control exhibited by his consistent, low walk rates. It’s a good body and delivery, a major league fastball and curve, and he’s already mixing in a cutter with maturity beyond his place in Charleston. He’s slated for a turn in High-A next season, but one has to wonder how aggressive the Rays could get with his journey up the ladder.

17. Ian Seymour, LHP
26 | 6’0” | 210
AA | 2.36 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 91.1 IP (17 GS) 28.3% K, 6.3% BB
AAA | 2.33 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 54.0 IP (10 GS) 27.9% K, 8.4% BB

The Rays organization’s other Virginia Tech man with a big smile (I’m looking at you Erik) has a funky delivery, with a high over the top movement that requires atypical hip movement and a strong head jerk; it’s not one you’d teach your kids, but his consistent success speaks for itself. After a strong return from Tommy John surgery in 2023, Seymour ranked among the top ten pitchers in all of minor league baseball with 162 strikeouts across Double- and Triple-A, fully regaining his pre-surgery form and 92 mph fastball. His change up is the star of the show, tunneling exceptionally well with his fastball, but if he sticks to pitching multiple TTO he has a variety of breaking balls to work with.

18. Mason Montgomery, LHP
25 | 6’2” | 195
AAA | 6.26 ERA, 5.29 FIP, 87.2 IP (31 G, 14 GS) 26.1% K, 8.9% BB
MLB | 1.86 ERA, 1.20 FIP, 9.2 IP (9 G, 0 GS) 45.9% K, 13.5% BB

Montgomery is all fastball, as evidenced by his horrid results in Durham as a starter. He transitioned to relief in August where he focused on just throwing his plus-plus fastball and hard breaking ball, and that earned him a promotion to the Rays shortly thereafter, where he was able to max-effort his way into being an effective bullpen piece, with 93rd percentile fastball velocity and really good extension. The two-pitch combo is legit enough that he could be trusted with high leverage in 2025, provided batters aren’t barreling him up.

19. Cooper Kinney, 2B/3B
22 | L/R | 6’1” | 200
A+ | .289/.352/.494 (137 wRC+) 361 PA, 10 HR, 6 SB, 8.9% BB, 22.2% K

2024 finally brought the performance that was expected from the 2021 34th overall pick’s pedigree. Promoted despite a mild year at Low-A in 2023 (after missing all of 2022 to a labrum injury), Kinney was all about the infield (53 G at 2B, 17 at 3B, 9 at 1B, and 24 at DH) but notably no appearances at short stop. He re-injured his shoulder, ending his season early. Cooper’s calling card is hard contact, but he has the barrel control and mind to work his counts at a major league level. Here’s to hoping he can stay healthy.

20. Dylan Lesko, RHP
21 | 6’2” | 195
A+ | 6.96 ERA, 6.27 FIP, 84.0 IP (22 G, 19 GS) 25.6% K, 19.2% BB

The key return for RP Jason Adam, Lesko was the Padres 15th overall selection in the 2022 draft despite him needing Tommy John surgery that Spring; his results have not yet materialized. I combined his results for both organizations in one stat line above as the Rays only gave him 6 appearances (3 starts) before the season ended. He has a fastball up to 98 mph with a plus-plus change. He started a lot of games last year, but I’d expect him to be on a pitch limit in 2025.

21. Homer Bush Jr., OF
23 | R/R | 6’2” | 200
A+ (SDP) | .272/.362/.347 (111 wRC+) 341 PA, 4 HR, 43 SB, 8.8% BB, 17.3% K
A+ (TBR) | .272/.367/.498 (124 wRC+) 121 PA, 2 HR, 14 SB, 10.7% BB, 23.1% K

Son of a former Blue Jays and Yankees outfielder, Bush Jr. was acquired alongside RHP Dylan Lesko and C J.D. Gonzalez in the Jason Adam trade at the 2024 deadline and has the easiest path to the majors among the three. He might be the toolsiest player in the system, depending on your opinion of Smith’s bat. Bush Jr. is an elite runner and the skills to stick in center at every level. Fangraphs says, “Bush is poetry in motion on the basepaths, running with grace and speed unlike all but a handful of pro baseball players,” and Baseball America flagged him as their sleeper in the Rays system.

22. Colton Ledbetter, OF
23 | L/R | 6’1” | 205
A+ | .273/.339/.484 (130 wRC+) 446 PA, 16 HR, 34 SB, 8.1% BB, 28.3% K

Ledbetter is one of my favorite bats in the system, with an ability to get a jump on pitches and adjust to meet anything bending; although, the leap to Double-A next season will be the real test. In the meantime, it’s plus exit velos to all fields. He was held in High-A to get the lion’s share of center field reps but projects as a corner, and has 50’s across the board, giving major league projection with power and speed on the bases. In a worse system he’s a top-ten prospect.

23. Maykel Coret, OF
17 | R/R | 6’4” | 187
Signed January 2025

One of the top prospects in the 2025 international signing class, Coret is a compelling 6’4” at seventeen, and projects extremely well, with MLB Pipeline assigning 60+ grades for power, run, arm, and field, and a 50 hit. Of course, he’s a long way off, but with exit velos already hitting 104 mph, and plus reports on his makeup, it’s a lot of promise.

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

Rock popped late in Spring Training thanks to a ringing endorsement from FanGraphs, earning an 11th overall ranking thanks to his deception and strong (for a lefty) velocity, and tabbing his command as his best tool despite an atypical throwing motion. Rock was the return for internally beloved SS/OF Greg Jones, a former first rounder who was traded to the Rockies when his development didn’t sync with the major league side’s openings. It will be interesting to see if Rock’s timing has better luck.

25. Jose Urbina, RHP
19 | 6’3” | 180
CPX | 4.50 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 48.0 IP (13 G, 8 GS) 21.7% K, 12.1% BB
A | 5.29 ERA, 6.11 FIP, 17.0 IP (4 GS) 18.2% K, 6.1% BB

The Venezuelan was elevated to the Holy City at the end of 2024, continuing the team’s aggressive push with his development. He traded his curveball for an easier to locate slider mid-season, but thus far lacks a plus third pitch. That’s ok when you have a 99 mph fastball with length in your delivery. Concerns with that delivery being repeatable seem overstated at his young age.

Others departed the system through trades — 1B Austin Shenton (12), SS Osleivis Basabe (14) — or fell off the list this round, like SS Adrian Santana (16), OF Mason Auer (17 - converting to pitching), RHP Trevor Martin (23), OF Dru Baker (24), and RHP Cole Wilcox (25).

It should be noted that our prospect list concluded at 25, mostly due to the breadth of the system, so the rest of the top vote getters are listed below as Honorable Mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Tanner Murray, INF
25 | R/R | 6’1” | 190
AA | .290/.328/.424 (122 wRC+) 448 PA, 7 HR, 4 SB, 4.7% BB, 16.3% K

Murray has quiet hype but his reputation precedes him, having been named the Rays defensive player of the year in 2024 in a strong class of defenders. He clearly added strength this offseason, as he is absolutely demolishing the ball in his early run at Triple-A with two batted balls of 112 mph, including this HR, one of the most impressive you’ll see this year:

Ben Peoples, RHP
24 | 6’1” | 175
AA | 3.42 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 55.1 IP (12 GS) 24.9% K, 10.0% BB

It’s a small miracle the Rays did not lose Ben Peoples in the Rule 5 draft this off-season, as pitchers with 97 mph cutters do not grow on trees. Given the recent change in starting pitching depth, and some persistent command issues, a relief role seems likely. He flashes a quality vertical breaking ball from a high release point, and should got a long look in Spring Training as a potential high leverage arm for 2025.

Matthew Etzel, OF
23 | L/R | 6’2” | 211
MiLB | .272/.345/.430 (122 wRC+) 484 PA, 11 HR, 45 SB, 9.7% BB, 23.6% K

Etzel got time at A+ (which he demolished with a 141 wRC+) and AA before Baltimore traded him to the Rays alongside Jackson Baumeister and Mac Horvath in the Zach Eflin trade. He’s a baller; a plus athlete and a grinder. He should be able to hit at any level, although some expect he’ll be limited by his power projection. Nevertheless, he’s got the tools, a solid left handed swing that still has potential to tap into his raw power, and time on his side; he’s underrated, and a dark horse to leap up boards this year.

Owen Wild, RHP
23 | 6’2” | 230
A | 3.06 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 35.1 IP (7 GS) 26.6% K, 6.3% BB
A+ | 2.72 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 86.0 IP (17 G, 15 GS) 31.9% K, 6.2% BB

Wild has an 80-grade baseball name for a pitcher that hasn’t figured out his fall off the table breaking ball just yet. The 2023 seventh-rounder out of Gonzaga is still throwing in the low-90s, but has a plus fading change up that could be his ticket to the majors. He shouldered 121 innings in his first professional season, with a dip and drive, over-the-top delivery that looks clean, although repeatability is a concern with a truncated arm stroke that can be a little late. He should return to High-A in 2024, but could see promotion quickly if his third pitch locks in.

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

Seymour hits homeruns like he’s a former collegiate baseball player clubbing moon shots over the fence in a bush league game, with the exception of course being that this is professional baseball, and he’s knocking on the door of the majors. Once the 2019 ACC Player of the Year, Seymour was drafted in the 13th round in 2021 and has shown that his power plays at every level, punishing baseballs into the 110’s in exit velo. He interestingly led the minors with a .520 xwOBA on contact (min. 100 balls in play). Basically, if he hits it, he’s getting on base. Is that enough to earn promotion?

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

It’s mildly surprising to put a second baseman with no pop in contention for a top prospect list, but the Rays were aggressive to grab the Quebecois in the second round of this year’s draft after he proved his contact-forward hitting for Kentucky playable in the wood bat Cape Cod League, despite the lack of power. He’s a plus runner and rangy, giving ample coverage up the middle. In 21 games played after the draft the Rays never tried him elsewhere than second, but it’d be interesting to see if his arm can play at short in a pinch.