Tampa Bay Rays 2025 International Class Scouting Report
With the MLB international signing period opening today, teams can officially begin to sign players in their 2025 class.
For Baseball America subscribers, we have scouting reports and player notes on the classes for all 30 teams, providing information on the big names to know in each class, as well as deeper cut players to watch.
The Rays’ 2025 international signing class is built around a group of position players at the top. Venezuela shortstop Eliomar Garces (5-foot-10, 163 pounds) has grown a few inches since teams were scouting him early in the process, and while he’s not that physical, his defense and bat-to-ball skills continue to stand out. He’s a switch-hitter with a contact-oriented approach from his short swing and he doesn’t expand the strike zone often. There’s occasional sneaky pop for his size but it probably is always a hit-over-power game for him. Garces could be an above-average defender at shortstop, where he has quick actions but plays under control with good hands and feet and an above-average arm.
Dominican outfielder Maykel Coret is 6-foot-4, 185 pounds with immense physical upside. It’s a strong but still lean, long-limbed frame with big bat speed to put on an impressive show in batting practice, showing the potential for 60 or 70 raw power in the future. Coret’s long arms create swing-and-miss risk, but he’s not a raw, all-or-nothing hitter either. If Coret can make enough contact, there’s potential for both power and speed. He’s a plus runner who might be able to stick in center field depending how his speed goes as he fills out. He runs well enough now for center field and has strong defensive instincts for his age to go with a plus arm.
Dominican shortstop Warel Solano is a wiry 6 feet, 165 pounds with good strike-zone judgment and a high-intensity swing from the right side. There are some unorthodox components to the swing, but he’s typically on time and drives the ball well now with potential average power. Solano has a strong arm and should stick in the infield but isn’t a lock to stick at shortstop, with third base a possibility.
Another shortstop from the Dominican Republic, Raymer Medina, is a good bet to stay at the position. He’s 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and a good athlete who moves his feet well in the dirt with good body control and a quick transfer with the arm for shortstop. He’s a switch-hitter with a loose, fluid swing from both sides and an aggressive approach looking to drive the ball for damage, though there are times where will have to reign in it to stay under control.
