When it comes to building a successful Major League Baseball team,having a strong minor league system is key. The Tampa Bay Rays are no exception,as they have developed one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. In this article,we’ll take a closer look at some of the top prospects in the Rays’ minor league system and what they could potentially bring to the big leagues.
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Wander Franco
Considered by many to be the top prospect in all of baseball,shortstop Wander Franco is already making waves in the Rays’ minor league system at just 20 years old. In 2019,he hit .327 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 114 games across three levels. He also showed impressive plate discipline with more walks (56) than strikeouts (35). Franco has drawn comparisons to former American League MVP Miguel Cabrera and has all the tools to become a superstar at the major league level.
Vidal Brujan
Second baseman Vidal Brujan is another top prospect in the Rays’ system who could make an impact sooner rather than later. In 2019,he hit .277 with four home runs and 47 RBI while stealing an impressive 48 bases across two levels. Brujan’s speed and defensive abilities make him an asset on both sides of the ball,and he could be a solid everyday player for Tampa Bay down the road.
Xavier Edwards
Acquired from San Diego as part of a trade for Tommy Pham last offseason,second baseman Xavier Edwards is another exciting young player in Tampa Bay’s minor league system. In his first full professional season in 2019,he hit .322 with zero home runs and 34 RBI while stealing 34 bases between two levels. While he may not have much power,Edwards is an on-base machine with a career .328 batting average and a .385 on-base percentage in the minors. His speed and defensive abilities could make him a valuable asset for the Rays in the future.
Brent Honeywell Jr.
While most of the players on this list are position players,right-handed pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. is one of the Rays’ top pitching prospects. He missed all of 2018 and 2019 due to Tommy John surgery but has shown plenty of promise in his minor league career. In 2017,he went 12-8 with a 3.64 ERA across three levels while striking out an impressive 172 batters in just 136 innings pitched. If he can return to full health,Honeywell has all the tools to become a frontline starter for Tampa Bay.
Shane Baz
Right-handed pitcher Shane Baz was acquired from Pittsburgh as part of the Chris Archer trade in 2018 and has quickly emerged as one of Tampa Bay’s top pitching prospects. In his first full professional season in 2019,he went 4-9 with a 2.99 ERA across two levels while striking out an impressive 87 batters in just over 81 innings pitched. Baz features a fastball that can touch triple digits and has shown good command of his secondary pitches as well.