Yoniel Curet

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #28 prospect in 2026
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Adjusted Grade: 30
  
  Track Record: The Rays signed Curet out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 for $150,000, and the investment quickly looked like a bargain. He solved strike-throwing woes early in the 2024 season before a move to Double-A, where he was dominant. His 2025 was scuttled by a shoulder injury, however, and he was dealt to the Phillies in a December deal that netted righthander Tommy McCollum for the Rays. Following the season, Curet pitched for Escogido in the Dominican League.
  
  Scouting Report: When he’s right, Curet can overpower hitters with a mix of four-seam and sinking fastballs, as well as a slider and a changeup. The fastballs each sit in the mid 90s, and his offspeed pitches average around 87 mph. The slider is a short, sharp breaker that looks like a cutter without much depth. Curet’s changeup works mostly because of velocity separation and oftentimes looks like a backup slider. It will occasionally flash fade away from lefties. Curet is thick-framed from scalp to toes and utilizes an upper-half heavy delivery with an upright finish that does not leave much room for precision.
  
  The Future: Curet has the velocity to beat hitters. Now, he needs something softer to mess with their timing and to find the strike zone far more often. If he clears those hurdles, he fits as a middle reliever. He should begin 2026 back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: - | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #17 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.
  
  Track Record: After signing for a modest $150,000 bonus, Curet has proven to be the most astute signing of the Rays’ 2019 international class. Curet struggled with his control early in 2024, but in the second half of the season, he was one of the best pitchers in the minors. After the MLB all-star break, Curet was 5-0, 1.66 while striking out 39% of the batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Curet’s plus-plus fastball is one of the best in the minors. He sits 94-96 mph and can touch 98, with tons of armside run and plenty of extension from a low release point. It eats up hitters even when they are looking for it. However, the rest of his arsenal has yet to catch up to his fastball. His cutter-like hard 85-88 mph slider will flash plus, but he doesn’t show much confidence in it, and his below-average mid-80s changeup is limited by his scattershot command of it. Curet’s control and command improved during 2024, but it remains below-average.
  
  The Future: Curet’s development path resembles that of Mason Montgomery, as his fastball would be ready quickly in a relief role, but he’ll need plenty of work to develop as a starter. Curet will be entering his second year on the 40-man roster as he heads back to Double-A Montgomery to start the 2025 season. For now, he’s still a starter, but if the Rays get into a roster crunch, his exceptional fastball could lead to a move to the bullpen.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #11 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Rays signed numerous position players in their 2019 international class who landed bigger bonuses than Curet’s $150,000, but after he dominated Class A hitters, he was the only player from that signing class to be added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from selection in the Rule 5 draft.
  
  Scouting Report: Curet already touched 95 mph when the Rays signed him, but he has now blossomed into the best arm in the system—with the exception of the rehabbing Shane Baz. There are plenty of pitchers in the system with less risk, but Curet’s ability to throw a fastball and hard slider that have proven nearly impossible to square up gives him the highest upside. His plus-plus fastball checks all the boxes. He sits at 96-98 mph as a starter, and his combination of above-average carry and a flat plane bedevils hitters. His plus high-80s slider never gets very big, and at its hardest it’s more of a cutter. Curet has largely shelved the slower curveball that once was his best breaking pitch. As basic as Curet’s assortment is, it’s extremely effective. Class A hitters hit .142 with a .193 slugging percentage against him in 2023. He allowed 11 extra-base hits among 432 batters faced. He’s around the zone, but his control is below-average and needs to improve after his walk rate approached 17% in 2023. Hs delivery is relatively clean with no glaring flaws, suggesting he could one day throw more strikes.
  
  The Future: Curet is emerging as the Rays’ best pitching prospect, but he’s several notches below the recent standard for that title. He carries plenty of reliever risk, because everything he throws is hard, and he needs plenty of development and refinement before he’ll be big league ready. But his fastball is special, and hitters rarely square him up, which is the perfect start for a pitching prospect.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Control: 40