Winning isn’t always about the money you spend; the Tampa Bay Rays have shown that. The Rays have been a premium farm system for over a decade, and their current crop is no exception. With 14 players inside my Top 200, the Rays have substantial depth, particularly on the mound, and should continue producing quality MLB teams over the next decade. They’ve been particularly efficient lately in identifying premium talent in other organizations with less fanfare and turning them into stars.
This article is part of a series focusing on each MLB team’s top 20 prospects for fantasy baseball heading into the 2025 season. Stay tuned for prospect breakdowns for all 30 teams throughout January here at Pitcher List, and be sure to check out all our published pieces in the series.
Top Rays Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Carson Williams, SS
2024 Stats (AA): .256 AVG | .352 OBP | .469 SLG | 20 HR | 33 SB | 33.3 K% | 11.5 BB%
Williams is unequivocally the best prospect in the Rays system and has been since Junior Caminero graduated. The 21-year-old shortstop was a first-round pick in 2021 and has methodically climbed through the minors, most recently spending all of 2024 in Double-A. Williams has been a steady source of power and speed throughout his career, although his .256 career batting average is so-so.
Few players in the minors are as good defensively as Williams. He already has a MiLB Gold Glove on his record and is a 70-grade defender and thrower. Offensively, Williams has no trouble tapping into his plus raw power and using his speed to create havoc on the bases. The most significant issue with Williams’ profile is his continued struggles with breaking pitches, which affect his overall contact rate of around 65%. If Williams can improve his bat-to-ball skills and make consistent contact, he has 30-30 upside.
2) Aidan Smith, OF
2024 Stats SEA/TB (A): .288 AVG | .401 OBP | .473 SLG | 11 HR | 41 SB | 28.0 K% | 14.4 BB%
Smith was originally in the Mariners’ system, but the former fourth-round pick was acquired by the Rays in the Randy Arozarena trade last summer. Smith struggled in his pro debut in 2023 but was off to a hot start last season and continued to improve following the trade. In his 20 games with the Rays, he slashed .306/.395/.486 with two homers, seven doubles, and 13 steals.
At 6’2″, and 190 lbs., Smith is wiry but strong and has impactful speed on both sides of the ball. While his in-game power has yet to manifest fully, Smith has plus raw power and hits the ball to all fields with authority. His exit velocities are well above the MLB average (103mph 90th, 113mph max), and his contact rates are improving. There is a lot to like in this 20-year-old outfielder.
3) Xavier Isaac, 1B
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .264 AVG | .370 OBP | .480 SLG | 18 HR | 15 SB | 39.5 K% | 13.3 BB%
2024 Stats (AFL): .286 AVG | .403 OBP | .554 SLG | 3 HR | 0 SB | 48.2 K% | 16.4 BB%
Xavier Isaac’s profile has so many intriguing qualities, but the 21-year-old has become one of the more polarizing prospects in the minors. On the surface, Isaac is a Top-25 talent. He’s posted back-to-back seasons of double-digit homers and steals with a batting average of around .275. His body (6’3″, 230 lbs) has a prototypical first base build, and Isaac has tremendously improved his conditioning over the last 18 months. But, under the surface is a major red flag.
Isaac struggled this season, notably once he reached Double-A, after dominating the lower minors in past years. The underlying issue is that Isaac’s contact rates are well below average, and there’s an outside chance he doesn’t make enough contact to reach the majors. On the season, Isaac had a putrid 60% overall contact rate and an even more discouraging sub-70% in-zone contact rate. Isaac has the power to become a legitimate 30-homer bat, but he also runs the risk of swinging and missing his way out of baseball.
4) Brailer Guerrero, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .330 AVG | .452 OBP | .466 SLG | 2 HR | 13 SB | 31.1 K% | 17.5 BB%
Guerrero is a big-bodied teenager with the skills to be the best player and have the most upside in this system. As an 18-year-old this season, Guerrero dominated rookie ball before a shoulder injury cut his season short. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury also limited him in 2023, which leaves some doubt about his durability despite his size.
At 6’1″, 215 lbs., Guerrero is already well-developed physically and has shown his strength by producing elite batted-ball data, including a 112mph max exit velocity earlier this season. Given his ability to make consistent contact with the ball and his plus raw power, it’s only a matter of time before Guerrero finds that home run stroke. Aside from health, his only present flaw is a propensity to hit the ball on the ground, which should improve with further development and, hopefully, a healthy shoulder.
5) Brody Hopkins, SP
2024 Stats SEA-TB (A): 115 IP | 133 K | 27.2 K% | 10.8 BB%
The Rays hit gold in the Arozarena trade, adding Aidan Smith and right-handed stud Brody Hopkins. Hopkins has a big, sturdy frame with a loose, winding delivery that creates deception for hitters. His stuff plays even more with a unique release point and lower approach angles. Make no mistake, Hopkins is not just about deception.
In his debut season, Hopkins generated plenty of whiffs on all four of his pitches, with his sweeper being the best. The sweeper has nice depth but drastic sweeping action away from right-handed hitters. His four-seamer sits in the mid-90s and can tick up, while the sinker and changeup have shown to be viable secondaries. The main focus for Hopkins moving forward is to improve his command because his arsenal is legit.
6) Santiago Suarez, SP
2024 Stats (A): 111.2 IP | 115 K | 25.7 K% | 4.7 BB%
Of all the prospect arms in the Rays’ system, Suarez appears to have less volatility and, ultimately, the highest floor. The 19-year-old has impeccable command, walking just 38 hitters in 210 career innings in the minors, including just 17 in his previous two seasons entering 2024. Suarez had a near-70% strike rate this season, and throwing strikes at that rate in the minors leads to definite success.
Suarez has a traditional three-pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball, curve, and changeup. The four-seamer has the most enduring characteristics, with nearly 18 inches of induced vertical break (iVB). Given his size (6’2″) and extension, the heater plays very well up in the zone. The curveball is filthy and generates plenty of chase outside the zone. His change is also a solid third offering, although he presently remains very heavy fastball.
7) Jackson Baumeister, SP
2024 Stats BAL-TB (A+): 99.2 IP | 135 K | 32.7 K% | 11.6 BB%
The acquired pitcher theme continues with 22-year-old right-hander Jackson Baumeister, a highly exciting young arm they added from the Orioles in the Zach Eflin trade. Baumeister, a former catcher, had an up-and-down career at Florida State but showed enough potential to warrant a third-round selection in 2023. After his trade to the Rays, Baumeister excelled, posting a 1.24 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 29 innings.
The Rays may have unleashed a monster in Baumeister, a promising youngster with an outstanding arsenal. His four-seamer sits in the upper 90s with elite iVB approaching 20 inches. The curveball is a true 12-6 with terrific depth and bite and an innate ability to miss bats. His third offering is a changeup, with a distinct 8-10mph velocity drop from the fastball and above-average movement to both sides of the plate. The biggest key to all of it was a considerable gain in strike-throwing following the trade, which has Baumeister knocking on the door of being a potentially elite SP prospect.
Prospects Every Dynasty Manager Should Know
8) Gary Gill Hill, SP
2024 Stats (A): 108.2 IP | 105 K | 24.2 K% | 6.2 BB%
Gill Hill was a pleasant surprise for the Rays last season, transforming from a relatively unknown sixth-round pick in 2022 to a potential mid-rotation starter to close 2024. The improvements in his performance stemmed from velocity gains that developed from additional physical growth. Now that Hill has improved his velocity, his outstanding command and deep arsenal play up even better. If you buy the velo gains, Hill is a name to target in your dynasty leagues.
9) Tre’ Morgan, 1B
2024 Stats (A, A+, AA): .324 AVG | .408 OBP | .483 SLG | 10 HR | 20 SB | 12.9 K% | 11.0 BB%
2024 Stats (AFL): .338 AVG | .391 OBP | .500 SLG | 1 HR | 1 SB | 13.0 K% | 8.7 BB%
Morgan is one of my favorite prospects in the minor leagues. Aside from his defense, Morgan does nothing on an elite level, but he’s a ballplayer, which speaks volumes. If Morgan finds some pop in his bat, he will become an MLB regular. Until then, Morgan remains a high-floor, low-upside play without a carrying tool for first base.
10) Theo Gillen, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .154 AVG | .353 OBP | .192 SLG | 0 HR | 1 SB | 53.8 K% | 23.5 BB%
Gillen was an exciting prep player from Texas who the Rays selected with the 18th overall pick this summer. Gillen is highly athletic and has shown the skills to have plus power and speed with an above-average hit-tool potential. He had a quick cup of coffee (8 games) at Low-A to close 2024, so we’ve yet to see what he can do in a larger sample.
11) Brayden Taylor, 3B
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .250 AVG | .365 OBP | .493 SLG | 20 HR | 29 SB
Taylor entered the professional ranks lauded for his defense and above-average hit tool. Although his defense has remained strong, his contact skills took a significant step back in 2024. Given the volatile nature of his offensive profile, Taylor cannot afford to sacrifice the one skill he relied on to succeed.
12) Ty Johnson, SP
2024 Stats CHC-TB (A, A+): 84 IP | 120 K | 36.0 K% | 7.8 BB%
Guess what? It’s yet another pitcher the Rays added via trade. This time, they get 6’6″ right-hander Ty Johnson as part of the Isaac Paredes trade to the Cubs. Johnson splits his time between the rotation and bullpen but took a step forward as a starter in 2024. His ultimate success hinges on developing a third offering, but his high-octane fastball and slider combination has played just fine in the minors.
13) Owen Wild, SP
2024 Stats (A, A+): 121.1 IP | 151 K | 30.4 K% | 6.2 BB%
Wild was a nice find in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft after a solid career at Gonzaga. Wild, now 21, had an outstanding pro debut in 2024 across two levels. Contrary to his surname, Wild is a strike thrower and has found success attacking hitters with a three-pitch mix headlined by a four-seam fastball that carries well up in the zone.
14) Trevor Harrison, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A): 72.2 IP | 87 K | 29.4 K% | 8.8 BB%
Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. The Rays have a litany of premium arms, and Trevor Harrison is looking to join the group. The 6’4″, 19-year-old is drawing attention with a diverse arsenal, which includes an upper-90s fastball, a plus changeup, and two unique breaking pitches. Harrison needs refinement with his command but has the making of a mid-rotation starter.
15) Chandler Simpson, OF
2024 Stats (A+, AA): .355 AVG | .410 OBP | .397 SLG | 1 HR | 104 SB | 9.5 K% | 8.7 BB%
The fastest man in the minors is outfielder Chandler Simpson, who stole 104 bases last season, one year after swiping 94 the season prior. Simpson is more than speed; he is a 24-year-old who makes elite contact but lacks any over-the-fence punch, which limits his potential.
The Final Five
Although these prospects do not crack the top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players:
16) Dylan Lesko, SP
Lesko was a top prospect in the Padres’ system who lost his way in SD and is looking to regain confidence in a premium pitching development org.
17) Ian Seymour, SP
Lesko was a top prospect in the Padres’ system who lost his way in SD and is looking to regain confidence in a premium pitching development org.
18) Yoniel Curet, SP
Curet has electric stuff that is capable of striking out the world. Unfortunately, his command gets wonky, so the 22-year-old looks destined for a high-leverage bullpen role.
19) Mac Horvath, 3B
Horvath came over from BAL in the Eflin trade this summer. If the young corner infielder can make more consistent contact, he has 20-30 upside with his power and speed.
20) Colton Ledbetter, OF
Ledbetter had a monster debut in 2024, slashing .273/.339/.484 with 42 extra-base hits and 34 steals in 109 games. If he can control his aggression at the plate and make league-average contact, the former SEC star has intriguing skills.