Tampa Bay Rays Top 5 Prospects
Certainly no problem finding a top 5 in this organization - top 15, anyone? The system isn’t the same shining star it was at the beginning of the season thanks to graduations and some disappointing seasons, but it’s still about as good as you can get. Another good-looking draft should keep the Rays near the top of organization rankings for even longer still.
1. LHSP David Price
Who?: David Price is the best pitching prospect in baseball. He possesses a plus FB/slider combination, and he’s backed up his stuff by a dominating performance in his first season in pro-ball. You’ve heard the same rumblings I have about bringing Price up in a Joba role in September. That may be a good idea, but you have to bring in the question of whether the extra workload is good for him. One of the very few question marks about Price coming out of college was that he may have been overworked; certainly, 133 IP in one season is a lot more than you’d expect. Also, the starter to reliever and back again conversion might not be the best thing for a pitcher’s arm.
Projection: Likely an ace reliever today, ace starter tomorrow.
2. CF Desmond Jennings
Who?: Jennings is an ultra-toolsy CF who came into the season with one real question mark: whether he could start to hit for legitimate power. That question has gone unanswered, but this season has brought up another one: can he stay healthy? Assorted back and shoulder injuries have ended Jennings’ season have just 24 games. Jennings is young and talented enough that a lost year isn’t the end of the world, but it’s certainly not what he was looking for.
Who?: At worst, Jennings looks like a speedy plus-defender with an above-average bat. If he can stay healthy and his power develops, he’ll be among the most dynamic CFs in the game.
3. SS Tim Beckham
Who?: It’s interesting how the first overall pick of the draft signed nearly right away, while so many of his top-ten contemporaries are left bickering up to the deadline. I suppose that’s one point towards drafting high school players with very high picks; they’re less likely to demand a major league deal, Porcello notwithstanding. Beckham hasn’t been especially impressive in his debut, but he wasn’t really expected to be, although it would’ve been nice. Beckham’s tools match up with, and probably exceed those of anybody on the Top 100. The glove is fantastic, but you won’t be able to draw any conclusions about the bat for a long time.
Projection: Absolute MVP potential, but not for years.
4. RHSP Wade Davis
Who?: Since a promotion to AA last year, Davis has been very disappointing. His command has certainly regressed. Since the promotion, he’s faced 927 batters. He’s struck out only 189 of these (20.4%), walked 85 (9.2%) and allowed 15 HR. Davis still possesses the same good four-pitch repertoire, led by a plus fastball and curve, so don’t lose faith.
Projection: Davis could be anywhere from a #2-#4 pitcher, depending on how he rebounds from this year.
5. LHSP Jacob McGee
Who?: McGee was struggling alongside Davis. McGee had struck out only 20%, walked 11.4% and allowed 6 HR in 77.2 IP. I say he was struggling, because now he’s on the sidelines with TJ surgery. So now not only does he have to worry about developing some secondary stuff to go with his excellent fastball, but he has to watch out for the lost command that often goes with Tommy John.
Projection: See: Wade Davis.
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