The Tampa Bay Rays are fresh off a World Series appearance and currently have the best record in the American League. In fact, they have the second best record in all of Major League Baseball, behind only the San Francisco Giants. The Rays have been scorching hot as of late, winning 11 of their last 12 games, as they attempt to distance themselves from the rest of the American League East division on their journey to capturing another playoff berth. The depth of the Rays’ farm system is propelling them to victory.<\/p>\n
The advancement of two top pitching and hitting prospects, respectively, has fueled the Rays’ recent surge. At the dish, Wander Franco<\/a> and Randy Arozarena<\/a> (both Tier 1 prospects on the Preseason Rays 2021 Top 50 Prospects<\/a> before graduating this season) are both in the Rookie of the Year conversation. In the second half, Arozarena has posted an impressive 177 wRC+ and .398 OBP. The phenomenal Wander Franco has reached base safely in 29 consecutive games, which is the second longest on-base streak by a player under 21 years of in American League history, trailing only Mickey Mantle and his 36 consecutive on-base streak from 1951-1952. On the mound, budding arms Shane McClanahan and Luis Pati\u00f1o have been leading the way for the Rays prospects. McClanahan has been incredibly consistent this season (3.37 FIP and 27.7 K%) and has exhibited signs of being a true frontline ace for years to come. Pati\u00f1o is still settling in as a 21-year-old but has displayed flashes of brilliance that can certainly help the Rays down the stretch.<\/p>\n With these four major graduations coming from the system this season, one would assume that the talent has been depleted a bit. However, that has not proven to be the case. Let’s take a look at the MiLB standings: Down in Charleston, the River Dogs have the best record in all of Minor League Baseball (71-31), and recently clinched a postseason spot in a game they won 22-0 with River Dogs’ pitchers combining to throw a one-hitter. Not bad. “Which MiLB team has the second most wins?”, you may be asking yourself. Well, it’s another Rays affiliate: the Bowling Green Hot Rods (69-33). Pretty, pretty good. The Durham Bulls are not too far behind with the sixth-best record in all of Minor League Baseball, and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits are seven games over .500. Every level of this organization is performing at an above-average level, experiencing significant success within a deeply talented system.<\/p>\n