Graduates

Kameron Misner, OF: Misner’s defense has earned him a regular role for the Rays. He has limitations, as he struggles against lefties and strikes out, but he has solid power, speed and he plays a plus center field.

Mason Montgomery, LHP: Montgomery has become a key member of the Rays’ bullpen, although home run issues have led to a high ERA. He has top-tier stuff (up to 102 mph) but needs more consistency. 

Hunter Bigge, RHP: Bigge, acquired last year in the Isaac Paredes’ trade, has been a solid moderate-leverage reliever for the Rays.

Risers

Theo Gillen, OF: Gillen was slowed in spring training with a calf injury, but he didn’t show any rust when he got to Low-A Charleston. Gillen needs to try to get to his power more often, but he shows power potential and he’s an athletic–if learning–center fielder. 

Cooper Kinney, 2B: Kinney has struggled to stay healthy as a shoulder injury cost him the entire 2022 season, and a recurrence forced an early shutdown last year. He had surgery and so far he’s shown no ill effects this year. He has above-average power, and could have enough defensive value to be a multi-position infielder.

Homer Bush Jr., OF: The Rays’ tweaks to get Bush to use his athleticism more in his swing are showing positive signs. He’s one of the best defenders and fastest players in the organization and the Rays love good-glove outfielders.

Fallers

Jackson Baumeister, RHP: Baumeister has struggled in his jump to Double-A. He started nibbling too much and had a brutal April. Baumister has been better in May, and he continues to have a plus fastball thanks to his extension and fastball life.

Dylan Lesko, RHP: Lesko is at the Rays’ Florida complex as the team is going back to square one to try to help him get through his massive control issues. The hope is to get Lesko throwing freer and easier and returning to the athleticism that made him a first-round talent.

Joe Rock, LHP: Rock has worked as a durable albeit hittable starter at Triple-A Durham. He’s a starter with options, but he’s been pushed off the Top 30 by players with higher upsides.

Injuries

Gregory Barrios, SS: Barrios has recently returned to action for Double-A Montgomery after missing a couple of months with an elbow injury suffered during spring training.

Dominic Keegan, C: Keegan is catching again at Triple-A Durham after missing time with an elbow injury.

Yoniel Curet, RHP: Curet is rehabbing and building back up to full strength at Port Charlotte as he works back from a shoulder injury. He’s expected to be back by the end of June.

JD Gonzalez, C: Gonzalez is rehabbing an injured elbow. He is expected to miss a couple of months.

Santiago Suarez, RHP: Suarez is on the 7-day injured list with tightness in his right triceps and shoulder. The injury is not considered serious and he should return to the active roster before long.

Nate Lavender, RHP: Lavender is working back from Tommy John surgery, and should be ready to head to a rehab assignment in the next month. As a Rule 5 pick, the Rays will have to then decide whether they are willing to carry him on the active MLB roster for the remainder of the season.

New Additions

TJ Nichols, RHP: Nichols struggled to throw strikes in college and seemed destined for a quick move to the bullpen in pro ball. But the Rays are excellent at fixing control issues. Nichols is now a hard thrower with above-average control and a chance to remain a starter.

Noah Myers, OF: Myers is quite old for High-A, but he’s an unconventional prospect as a Frontier Leaguer, and he’s shown he’s ready for Double-A. Myers is a 65 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale who can play center field. 

Evan Reifert, RHP: Offered back to the Rays after failing to make the Nationals as a Rule 5 pick, Reifert has pitched exceptionally well for Triple-A Durham. Reifert is a slider pitcher who will throw a fastball sporadically to get a hitter off his slider. That slider has a 67% swing and miss rate this year.