In the fearsome AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays have managed five straight playoff appearances thanks in large part to their sterling player development. Tampa Bay has become a franchise with boundless “good problems” when it comes to logjams at seemingly every position. Tampa Bay manages a lean budget, yet bursts at the seams with talent at all levels of the organization. They rarely miss on players to keep and develop, and those that they acquire in trades. It’s a near wonder that anyone steps into the trading ring with Tampa Bay.
Below, the Tampa Bay Rays prospect list shows a masterful array of building a sustainable winning franchise. With players that can anchor lineups and rotations, make all-star appearances, or flash for stretches of dominance in a time of need, Tampa Bay has a blueprint that is the envy of many across the major leagues. (@TBDubbs11)
Eight Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Ben Wilson (@TBDubbs11), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
J15 international signee Leonardo Pineda, OF would slot around 20th if he had been included in these rankings. Look for him to make the midseason update list.
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
1. Junior Caminero, 3B/SS, 20, MLB
Caminero debuted as a 19-year-old with a 7-game stint for Tampa Bay at the end of the season, launching his first MLB homer in the regular season finale. He actually earned two postseason at bats against the eventual World Champion Rangers. The now 20-year-old skyrocketed up prospect rankings across the board last year to where he now sits as one of the top 3 prospects in the game, depending on whose rankings you’re referring to. Spoiler alert, he’s likely sitting at #3 on our upcoming Overall Top Prospects list. It’s a meteoric rise when you consider Caminero played 2022 in Rookie and Single-A ball, then went on to clobber High-A and Double-A pitching in 2023, to the tune of .324/.384/.591 with a .976 OPS, 272 total bases, including 18 doubles, 6 triples, 31 HR, and 94 RBI. He could be battling Curtis Mead and Austin Shenton at third base in Durham to start the season, or he could be Opening Day 3B if he mashes at Spring Training and Isaac Parades struggles. Either way, he’ll be in the majors for most of 2024. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 2
2. Carson Williams, SS, 20, Triple-A
Williams, Tampa Bay’s 1st round selection back in 2021 (28th overall), is one of those next-in-line middle infielders it seems the Rays always have coming in their minors. Last season was an interesting one for him, as he put up a good season for High-A Bowling Green (105 games, 23 HR, 17 SB, .254 AVG) and was then promoted to Triple-A, for only four games. Back to High-A before he went to Double-A Montgomery for his final six games of the season (where he was 9-21, hit .429 with 4 SB) and the Southern League playoffs. Then came a stint in the Arizona Fall League where he did struggle, tallying only 19 total bases in 82 plate appearances. Williams has all the tools for success in the big leagues. Look for him to get more time at Double-A to begin 2024, although depending on other organizational outcomes, he could start in Triple-A as well. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
3. Xavier Isaac, 1B, 20, High-A
Isaac is Tampa Bay’s highest selected prep school first baseman since the team’s inception in the mid 1990s. He missed time with a foot injury after he was drafted, but played 102 games last year and slashed a very respectable .285/.395/.521/.916 between Single-A and High-A. While Isaac has progressed defensively, his bat, specifically his power, is the main attraction. Launching 19 home runs in his first full season as well as producing 108+ mph exit velocities have his future power projections through the roof. Further development rounding out Isaac’s hitting profile will make him an ever scarier at bat for opposing pitchers in years to come. (@aj_greene1015)
4. Curtis Mead, 3B, 23, MLB
After suffering a wrist injury on a HBP, Mead was limited to just 61 games in Triple-A, but he received MLB promotions in both August and September. His all around hit tool is definitely one of the best in the system, and is consistently good for OBPs close to .400 and keeping strikeouts down. The Australian native has shown increased power every year since he signed out of his home country, and the organization can hope for 20+ home runs over the span of a full major league season. In the field, his arm strength is a slight concern and might end up with him moving to first, but for now he’ll stay at third. Mead has the tools to be an everyday contributor to Tampa’s lineup as soon as this year. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 3
5. Brayden Taylor, 3B, 21, Single-A
Taylor played a decent amount of short while at TCU and actually showed off solid range at the position. That said, his future is at the hot corner. The arm is plenty for third and he should be a well above-average defender there. At the plate is where he really shines, with a smooth stroke from the left side that makes plenty of contact. Don’t let his .242 average and high strikeout rate in his first taste of pro ball fool you, the hit tool borders on plus. The frame is not typical of most third basemen, as he is a bit smaller than most, but the ball really does jump off the bat. He does sacrifice some contact to get to the power, so for him to be above-average in the power department, he won’t maximize his plus hit tool, but it will still be a quality tool, or he can focus on being that plus hitter and limit himself to average power upside, that development is the big one with Taylor. (@ShaunKernahan)
6. Mason Montgomery, LHP, 23, Triple-A
Being selected in the 6th round of the 2021 draft, Montgomery has flown through the minor leagues. After impressing in five Complex League games, he skipped Single-A, and spent 2022 between High-A and Double-A. Come 2023, he posted a 3.98 ERA in 124.1 innings and made his way to Durham at the end of the year. His arsenal of a mid 90s riding fastball, along with a mid 80s changeup and slider still in development allowed him to tie Yoniel Curet for most organizational strikeouts at 144. It was going to be hard to repeat his 2022 season, and while walk numbers were a touch higher than the year prior, he proved he can square up with better hitters in the upper minors. With another pitching campaign in 2024 like Montgomery has shown he’s capable of, an end of season promotion could be in the cards for the Texas native. (@aj_greene1015)
7. Adrian Santana, SS/2B, 18, Rookie (FCL)
Santana is a freak athlete, plain and simple. At the 2022 PG National he managed to score from second base on a passed ball thanks to his base running instincts and top of the scale speed. At short he has the potential to be a plus fielder with smooth feet and an accurate arm. But what about the bat? There is where the questions come in. He will never be a great option for your fantasy team unless you just need a guy to rack up steals, as there is no real power to speak of and the hit tool will struggle to be average. He is a switch-hitter, but his bat can get long from the left side which, unfortunately, is going the be the side he bats from most often. That said, he brings enough to the table defensively and once he gets on the bases, even improving to just barely below average as a hitter will make him a quality big league shortstop. (@ShaunKernahan)
8. Cole Wilcox, RHP, 24, Double-A
Wilcox came over from San Diego in the Blake Snell trade back in December 2020 and is the final piece remaining to salvage the deal. He had Tommy John surgery in September of the following year but came back rather quickly, pitching again in August 2022. He looked decent at times last year but was inconsistent overall finishing the year with an ERA over 5 and a WHIP of 1.30. His K/9 was the lowest of his career at 8.4. Based on his stuff and previous results in college, let’s chalk up 2023 to the aftereffects of the surgery and see if he can improve this season to become a mid-rotation starter for the Rays perhaps as soon as later this season. (@tonybps1)
9. Colton Ledbetter, OF, 22, Single-A
Ledbetter is a perfect example of a guy whose whole is greater than the sum of his parts. While he will never be considered a plus runner, he has great reads and instincts on the bases and gets out of the box quickly to allow himself to beat out infield singles and steal more bags than the raw speed would suggest. He also makes impressive reads in the outfield and could be at least an average defender in center despite not having the range of some others at the position, although the arm will be one base runners won’t be afraid to test. At the plate he is quick to the zone with limited moving parts allowing him to make a ton of contact. The compact aspects of his swing do limit his power upside, but he should still be able to put up mid-teen home run production. (@ShaunKernahan)
10. Dominic Keegan, C/1B, 23, High-A
It seems the Rays have been looking for their “next” catcher for a few years now. Is Keegan that guy? If he can replicate his 2023 Arizona Fall League performance and succeed at the Double-A level, he could be. Keegan hit.340, slugged .585, and crushed an OPS of 1.031, in 15 games and was named to the Fall Stars Game. Coming off a solid campaign across Single-A and High-A, look for the 23-year-old to get time in AA Montgomery this year. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
11. Ian Seymour, LHP, 25, Double-A
Seymour bounced back last season in a big way after his Tommy John surgery in June 2022. He only threw 43 innings but was impressive in that short time with a 1.50 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 46 strikeouts to only 16 walks. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tampa gives him a look as a multi-inning reliever in the majors early this season to help him build up his innings and to help the team contend at the same time. He should continue his development into a solid starter as he gets more innings under his belt. (@tonybps1)
Tier 4
12. Chandler Simpson, OF, 23, High-A
13. Yoniel Curet, RHP, 21, High-A
14. Santiago Suarez, RHP, 19, Single-A
15. Mason Auer, OF, 22, Double-A
16. Willy Vasquez, 3B/2B/SS, 22, High-A
17. Brock Jones, OF, 22, High-A
18. Brailer Guerrero, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
19. Austin Shenton, 3B/1B, 26, Triple-A
20. Dru Baker, OF, 23, Double-A
Simpson doesn’t have a ton of power but is among the fastest players in the minors and has a solid hitting ability. Curet could be a solid contributor out of the bullpen sometime this season. Suarez has put up some solid numbers and can become another solid starter in the future for the Rays. Auer has some good tools including plus speed and could become a solid outfielder. Vasquez has a good blend of speed and power. Brock Jones has great power and speed but needs to improve his contact skills. Guerrero had a solid showing in 23 at-bats after signing in January 2023. He should grow into more power as he develops. Shenton’s 29 home runs last year were a nice surprise and he could be a bench type in the majors. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
21. Carlos Colmenarez, SS, 20, Single-A
22. Greg Jones, OF/SS, 25, Triple-A
23. Shane Sasaki, OF, 23, High-A
24. Kameron Misner, OF, 26, Triple-A
25. Ronny Simon, 2B/SS, 23, Triple-A
26. Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF, 21, Single-A
27. Heriberto Hernandez, OF, 24, Double-A
28. Marcus Johnson, RHP, 23, Single-A
29. Colby White, RHP, 24, Double-A
30. Trevor Martin, RHP, 23, Single-A
31. Cooper Kinney, 2B/1B, 21, Single-A
32. Jacob Lopez, LHP, 25, MLB
33. Alex Cook, RHP, 22, High-A
34. Evan Reifert, RHP, 24, High-A
35. Ryan Cermak, OF, 22, Single-A
36. Andrew Lindsey, RHP, 24, Rookie (FCL)
37. Drew Sommers, LHP, 23, Single-A
38. Tristan Peters, OF, 23, Double-A
39. Nick Bitsko, RHP, 21, Single-A
40. JJ Goss, RHP, 23, High-A
41. Logan Workman, RHP, 25, Double-A
42. Trevor Harrison, RHP, 18, High School
43. Keyshawn Askew, LHP, 24, Double-A
44. Erick Lara, SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
45. Logan Driscoll, C/1B, 26, Triple-A
46. Ben Peoples, RHP, 22, High-A
47. Jose Urbina, RHP, 18, Rookie (FCL)
48. T.J. Nichols, RHP, 21, Rookie (FCL)
49. Gary Gill Hill, RHP, 19, Single-A
50. Hunter Haas, 2B/SS, 21, High-A
Colmenarez was a highly touted signee in 2021 but hasn’t shown the results at the plate just yet. Greg Jones has solid speed and developing power and may get some major league at-bats this season. Misner hasn’t fulfilled the expectations when he was picked 35th overall in the 2019 draft, but could still become a backup or low-end outfielder type. Morgan has good contact skills but only average speed and power. Hernandez has good power and an improving hit-tool at the plate and could be a solid outfielder in the majors. Johnson could be a back-end starter but may end up in the bullpen. Martin looks like another solid discovery by the Rays on the mound. Cermak has solid tools and can be a bench type in the majors. Peters can get on base and has a little speed to his game. Bitsko was a first round pick who struggled before Tommy John surgery shelved him, but he should be back this season. Goss was another first round pick but has struggled during his time with the Rays and may be better suited for the bullpen. Harrison was the team’s 5th round pick this year and didn’t pitch for the Rays, but has good stuff on the mound. Lara came over from Miami in the Vidal Brujan deal and looks to have a good set of tools at 17 years-old. Driscoll could be a backup catcher with a little bit of power. Urbina was one of the top international signings but struggled in his first year of Rookie ball. Haas was the team’s 4th round pick last year and looked okay in his 78 at-bats last season. (@tonybps1)
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Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Ben is an Assistant Editor and also covers the Red Sox and Dynasty/Fantasy baseball content for Prospects1500. He also runs the #2EarlyMiLBMock, an annual prospect-only mock draft, for the Prospects1500 website. Ben is an experienced fantasy baseball player and is a deep league dynasty specialist. He has also contributed at FantraxHQ, RotoFanatic, and retired blogs Real McCoy Minors and Notes from the Sally. Follow Ben on Twitter @TBDubbs11.
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Ben Wilsonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/tbdubbs11/
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Ben Wilsonhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/tbdubbs11/
Where is Ruben Cardenas? He hits middle of the order in Durham and he isn’t in the TOP 50 of Ray’s prospects. Total joke!
Thanks for the feedback! Cardenas has been around for over a half a decade and is now 26, at best he might be a fringe top 50 guy. Looks like a Quad-A player, but check back for the mid-season listings.