Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays bag, rosin and baseballs lay in the bullpen prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays have seemingly flown under the radar in their rebuild of their minor league system. What do they have down on the farm?
An Introduction
Our minor league top 10 series is coordinated by Benjamin Chase, one of our contributors at Call To The Pen.
He has poured over thousands of minor league games over the course of the year via milb.tv along with speaking with a number of team and independent scouts. These lists are based out of those conversations.
Each system will have prospects from 10 to 1, and then finish with one newcomer to the system that is worth keeping an eye on that is not in the top 10 at this time.
Conversations are certainly encouraged in the comments section on each system as we go along!
Rays System Review
After a tremendous run from 2008-2013 where the Rays won 90 or more games in 5 of 6 seasons, making the playoffs four times, the Rays have finished 4th or worse the last three seasons, though it wasn’t until 2016 that they fully bought into a rebuilding project.
The Rays have struggled with their finances to keep a major league team together, which means they’ve needed to be willing to part with most every guy not named Evan Longoria over the last 10 years.
After launching the career of Andrew Friedman, the Rays saw him head to Los Angeles to run the Dodgers, and the minor league system was in need of a major talent influx. For all of his work in getting value at the major league level, Friedman’s group struggled in the draft, leaving the Rays system fairly dry.
In the last three years, the Rays have used trades to acquire high-upside guys rather than their more traditional “safe” guys that they were known for targeting. A great example was the trade with the San Francisco Giants in 2016 that sent Matt Moore away for infielder Matt Duffy, who could contribute immediately, pitcher Michael Santos, who is a low level guy with excellent pitching feel, and infielder Lucius Fox, who was one of the highest-paid international July 2nd eligible players of all time when the Giants signed him.
The Rays’ system has quietly moved from a system that was in the bottom 5-10 of the league just 3-4 years ago to a system that is already in the top half in the league with plenty of room to grow.
Let’s take a look at the top 10!
Mar 13, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Faria (34) throws the ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
10. Jacob Faria, RHP
Birthdate: 7/30/93 (23 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAAStats in 2016: 151 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 10.97 BB%, 25.32 K%
A 10th round selection in 2011, the Rays have slowly developed Faria until he took a huge step forward in 2015. Following his two-level jump in 2015, he did the same in 2016, putting him squarely on the organization’s radar going forward.
Faria was a lean, 6’4 righty with an inconsistent fastball when he was selected, and he’s grown into his frame and found consistent velocity as well as a plus change.
Faria has made big strides in all of his pitches, but the one that showed the biggest progress in 2016 was his curve[/p6ullquote]
Faria has made big strides in all of his pitches, but the one that showed the biggest progress in 2016 was his curve, which is a big 12-6 pitch that he keeps in the strike zone but he found himself getting much more swing and miss in 2016 as he kept his arm motion in line with the fastball and change, giving hitters a tough time picking up the pitch out of hand.
Faria has a very solid three-pitch mix that he continues to build up control on, building up consistency in his delivery along the way. He may not grade out as an elite starter, but his sort of pitch combination would work well as a mid-rotation starter or a very solid 7th/8th inning reliever if the Rays choose to move him to the bullpen.
Faria spent 13 starts in AAA in 2016, so it will be interesting to see where he starts 2017. He will have a tough time cracking the Rays opening day rotation, but if he keeps building consistency, he’ll eventually work his way there.
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9. Lucius Fox, SS
Birthdate: 7/2/97 (19 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: low AStats in 2016: .207/.305/.277, 2 HR, 25 SB
Fox was a guy who was signed for a big $6M bonus after moving from Florida to the Bahamas to circumvent the draft, a la Alex Reyes. He made his pro debut in 2016 at low-A, which is a pretty aggressive first assignment for a young player.
A very raw athlete, Fox showed his elite speed and impressive fielding ability in low A this season. He had moments where he was able to go from first to home on a routine double, and one particular triple I saw was on a play that many guys not busting it out of the box with Fox’s level of speed would have ended up with a long single.
[pullquote]A very raw athlete, Fox showed his elite speed and impressive fielding ability in low A this season
Fox was rough in his defensive actions at short, which is why some believe he may make a transition to center field eventually, but his speed allowed him to have impressive range, and he has an above-average arm that allowed him to make plenty of plays that the average shortstop could not have made.
Fox’s season was cut short by a bone bruise suffered just before he was traded, so he hasn’t made a debut for a Rays affiliate just yet. It’s impressive to consider that his 25 stolen bases were accomplished in just 285 at bats.
Fox will be an interesting guy to see how the Rays handle him next season. While he showed well in low-A, he had plenty to still work on, and he could repeat at the level to open 2017.
8. Adrian Rondon, SS
Birthdate: 7/7/98 (18 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: rookieStats in 2016: .249/.301/.430, 7 HR, 1 SB
Rondon was considered the top prospect in the 2014 international signing class, and the Rays definitely jumped in with both feet, exceeding their bonus pool in order to sign Rondon to the top bonus for a 16 y/o that season with just short of a $3M bonus.
Rondon has a world of talent packed into his physically-sculpted frame. He has shown the ability to certainly handle shortstop, though as he adds strength, he’ll likely end up moving naturally to third base with his plus arm or possibly to right field.
Offensively, many have raised questions about Rondon’s bat path, though he has excellent bat speed within the zone. He then had a disastrous GCL debut in 2015 that many people pointed to as evidence that the bat wasn’t going to work.
Instead, he came out in 2016 and showed a lot better ability to handle pitches of velocity and quality breaking stuff in the Appalachian League this season. He still strikes out way too much, but he will also be 18 until next July and likely will be playing in low-A in 2017, so that’s somewhat excusable.
Rondon has plus raw power that showed up well in games this year with a little big of a long load to the swing. He isn’t a plus runner, but he is not going to be a guy who steals bases most likely for his offensive profile.
Rondon will likely be in low-A in 2017, whether he opens there or starts in extended spring and is shuffled there at some point.
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World pitcher Chih-Wei Hu throws a pitch in the 5th inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
7. Chih-Wei Hu, RHP
Birthdate: 11/4/93 (23 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAAStats in 2016: 147 1/3 IP, 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.3 BB%, 18.91 K%
The Minnesota Twins made an inroad into Taiwan in their signing of Hu in 2012. He surpassed anyone’s expectations by jumping to full-season ball in 2014 and doing exceptionally well there. That led the Rays to acquire Hu as part of their Kevin Jepsen trade in 2015.
Hu is a guy like Montgomery teammate Brent Honeywell that throws a rare pitch seen in modern baseball as he uses a palm ball among his pitches.
Hu has a fastball that can flash plus, but sits in the low-90s with excellent movement and can touch 96-97 in short spurts. His primary off speed pitch is his effective slider that flashes plus at times and shows to be his best strikeout pitch, though he added the pitch in the last few years, so he still is inconsistent in his ability to command the pitch.
While most would use a palm ball as a replacement for a change up, Hu does utilize both, and they both work well low in the zone as above-average pitches in their best showings. Neither is a swing-and-miss pitch, but they both generate plenty of weak contact.
While he doesn’t have ideal size at 6’1 and 230 pounds, which is not exactly ideal “ace” size, but he does have repeatable mechanics and excellent control that should allow him to profile as a #4 starter.
Hu will likely open 2017 in AAA in what should be a fairly loaded rotation.
Jesus Sanchez goes deep for two run shot. Third home run of game for Rays. Lead 5-2 going to fourth. pic.twitter.com/RPSUL3oKai
— Brian Woodson (@bdtwoodson) August 31, 2016
6. Jesus Sanchez, OF
Birthdate: 10/7/97 (19 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: rookieStats in 2016: .329/.351/.549, 7 HR, 2 SB
One of the pop-up prospects in the Rays system this season has definitely been Jesus Sanchez. A guy who was generally off of the top 30 of the Rays system rankings coming into 2016, he showed very well at two rookie levels in 2016 and really flashed the big tools the Rays thought they were getting when they signed him for $400K in 2014.
Sanchez was a long, lanky guy when he first signed at 6’2 and roughly 170ish at signing, but he’s filled out to right around 200 pounds now, and he’s maintained his athleticism at that size.
Sanchez has a very tight, quick swing from the left side, with tremendous bat speed through the zone. He has shown plus to plus-plus power in batting practice and began to flash plus game power in 2016 as he hit 10 doubles and 8 triples to go with his 7 home runs over just 213 at bats.
While Sanchez isn’t a guy with elite quickness, he has very good speed once he’s underway. Defensively, he handles center field, though he needs to work on his routes to balls. If he needs to move off center, his above-average arm should allow him to play in right.
Sanchez is the type of high-upside player that the Rays have been pulling into their system in the last few years, and his big 2016 is an example of what that kind of elite talent can produce when it comes together.
Sanchez still has some work to do on his pitch recognition as he only walked 9 times, but his strikeout rate was respectable, showing his aggressive approach at the plate. As he matures, that pitch recognition will need to improve, but for it to be an issue right now is not a major red flag.
Sanchez is young enough that the Rays could let him take the next step up the line to the New York-Penn League in 2017, but it would not surprise me to see them jump him all the way to low-A to work with a probable lineup including Fox and Rondon as well.
5. Casey Gillaspie, 1B
Birthdate: 1/25/93 (23 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAAStats in 2016: .284/.388/.479, 18 HR, 5 SB
After selecting Gillaspie #20 overall in the 2014 draft, the Rays were hoping the college hitter would quickly move up their system, flashing his big power and solid 1B defense along the way.
Gillaspie is a switch-hitter that is a big guy, but his natural side is the left side, and he generates most of his power from that side. In game, he has plus power from the left side, but in batting practice, he has displayed plus from both sides.
While Gillaspie has a bit of length to his swing, he has a very consistent swing path, and he has improved his strikeout rate as he’s moved through pro ball, which is impressive in its own right.
Gillaspie has really shown to be tremendously more than his raw tools showed and moved quickly, just as the Rays have hoped. His power is definitely real, and his defense around the bag is very solid.
Gillaspie could give the Rays some reason to consider him in the opening day lineup in the major leagues in 2017.
Jun 17, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first round draft pick Josh Lowe talks with media prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4. Joshua Lowe, 3B
Birthdate: 2/2/98 (18 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: rookieStats in 2016: .249/.374/.405, 5 HR, 2 SB
One of the more highly regarded third base options in the high school class coming into the draft, and definitely one of the more impressive overall athletes that played in the dirt this draft class, Lowe went #13 overall to the Rays, which surprised some, but not many who had seen Lowe climbing a lot of draft boards as teams saw more and more of him.
Lowe was a very good pitcher in high school as well, and he was considered a late first round selection as a pitcher, so his arm plays up well at third base. However, he has a natural feel for the position on top of the arm that should allow him to be a plus defender at the position.
Lowe showed his across the board athletic ability that has him rated with plus raw power and current plus speed. He made a lot of loud contact at both rookie levels that he played at in 2016, generating a lot of positive scouting reports about future power.
While Lowe may lose a step as he ages, he has a very athletic build that allows his natural speed to play up as he is able to generate extra base hits, though he likely won’t be a great base stealer as he’s more a guy with great speed at top gear but not great first-step quickness.
Lowe should get a chance to experience full-season ball in 2017, whether it’s to open the season or by the end of the year.
Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jake Bauers during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jake Bauers, OF
Birthdate: 10/6/95 (21 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: AAStats in 2016: .274/.370/.420, 14 HR, 10 SB
Bauers is a guy who came to the Rays in the Wil Myers trade, and many were thinking he was a bat-only sort of guy that didn’t really have a great defensive path.
Instead, Bauers has really shown that he could be a corner outfielder with ease, handling both corner positions very well, and he also showed what could be considered elite first base defense in his time there as well, so while his bat may be his carrying tool, it won’t be his only one for sure.
Bauers has a very compact, direct swing from the left side that generates a lot of contact and allows him to spray the ball throughout the field. His raw power in batting practice is obvious, but he’s not translated it purely into game showing yet, though he has made strides each season in that area, and hitting 43 extra base hits in AA as a 20 year old is nothing to throw water on.
Bauers has excellent pitch recognition, and he has done well keeping his strikeout rate low for a guy who will likely be a middle of the order sort of hitter while also showing the ability to take a walk.
Bauers will likely move up to AAA in 2017, and his path to the majors will likely depend on whether the Rays want to see him at 1B or a corner outfield spot, but he can do either one well.
Nov 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; West pitcher Brent Honeywell of the Tampa Bay Rays during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. Brent Honeywell, RHP
Birthdate: 3/31/95 (21 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AAStats in 2016: 115 1/3 IP, 2.34 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 5.52 BB%, 25.83 K%
Honeywell could make a very good argument for #1 in the system, and he’s established himself as a top 25-30 prospect in the entire system.
Honeywell is known most around the game as the guy who throws a screwball. Because the pitch is so rarely seen, the fact that he even throws it is notable, but he actually is quite good with the pitch, able to locate the pitch very well.
Honeywell is not just a “trick pitch” sort of guy, either. He has a fastball that he can run up to 96-97 but sits more in the low-90s with effective movement throughout a game.
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On top of his screwball, he has a change that is a plus offering and gets plenty of weak contact and some swing and miss. His curve has become more consistent, but it’s certainly his fourth pitch in the mix.
Honeywell has a very smooth delivery, and he’s maintained that as he has filled out into his frame after being drafted in 2014 as a long, lanky high schooler.
He seemed to get even better after he moved up to AA in 2016, and going to the Arizona Fall League just dialed up his notice even further as scouts seeing him there raved about his competitiveness.
He’ll likely start at AAA in 2017, and there’s a good chance that he’ll get the first call to fill a hole in the Rays rotation opened due to injury or poor performance.
1. Willy Adames, SS
Birthdate: 9/2/95 (21 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: AAStats in 2016: .274/.372/.430, 11 HR, 13 SB
Adames was acquired by the Rays in their big deal to send away David Price, and his major talent level was the primary prospect return the Rays received in that deal along with lefty Drew Smyly headlining the major league portion of the deal.
Adames is a guy who many have struggled to put a finger on as a prospect for a long time. He has an immense amount of power in his swing, grading as a plus raw power in batting practice, but not translating it consistently to game power.
Adames also has a frame that worried many that he would outgrow shortstop, but he’s continued to handle shortstop very well as he’s filled out due to great instincts and very good hands. Though he has average speed and could be forced off the position eventually, he would make an elite third baseman if he did move to there.
Offensively, Adames has an elite ceiling still, showing very good power in AA last season as a 20 year-old through the entire season, hitting 31 doubles and 6 triples to go with his 11 home runs. His ability to make very good contact should allow him to keep up a very good batting average going forward.
He does have very solid pitch recognition, as evidenced by his 74 walks in 486 at bats, though he did end up striking out quite a bit as well, though not at an unreasonable rate.
Adames will likely see AAA in 2017, and he could very possibly be part of the big league club at some point in the season.
Jun 18, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers outfielder Jake Fraley (23) slides in with the first run of the game in the first inning against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Newcomers To Keep An Eye On: Jake Fraley and Ryan Boldt, OF
Birthdate: Fraley – 5/25/95 (21 years old), Boldt – 11/22/94 (22 years old)Level(s) Played in 2016: short season A for bothStats in 2016: Fraley – .238/.339/.364, 1 HR, 33 SB; Boldt – .218/.280/.276, 1 HR, 8 SB
Fraley and Boldt are both polished college bats that could end up showing very well in the long-term outfield plans for the Rays. With both having similar offensive and defensive profiles, it seemed fitting to put them together here.
Fraley is a guy who was excellent with LSU, the best player on that roster, ranking among the SEC leaders in steals runs, hits, and triples. He has tremendous defensive ability that should allow him to play center field going forward.
Boldt was a guy that was highly scouted out of high school before he tore the meniscus in his right knee in his senior year of high school, costing him a chance to be a likely first-round pick. He went to Nebraska and was very solid there, leading to a 2nd round selection for the Rays.
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Fraley has elite speed and a solid hit tool. He’s never going to hit for much power, but his pitch recognition is excellent, which should allow him to profile as a leadoff type of hitter going forward.
Boldt has an interesting case in build and future. He has a very good stroke from the left side that generates excellent raw power but has not translated that to game power.
Boldt was a true plus-plus runner before he tore up his knee but is now more a fringe-plus runner. He does have tremendous instincts in the outfield that he could translate well to center field or left field, though his average arm would likely not translate to right.
Both played together in 2016 in the New York-Penn League, and they’ll likely move to low-A together in 2017. It will be interesting to see how these two excellent college players translate their college success in the Rays system.
Agree? Disagree? Someone you have a question about from the system? Leave a comment down below!
