Yoniel Curet

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  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