10 Tampa Bay Rays Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 Tampa Bay Rays Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Rays system beyond their Top 30.
31. Cooper Kinney, 2B
A shoulder injury has slowed Kinney’s progress through the Rays’ system, and he faced some questions about how well he can handle second or third base defensively. But Kinney’s hitting ability continues to impress and gives him a path to making up for a lot of lost development time.
32. Erick Lara, 3B/SS
A pickup from the Marlins in an offseason trade that sent Vidal Brujan and Calvin Faucher to Miami, Lara is a teenager who has the foundation to be a well-rounded infielder. If he adds strength as expected, he could be a well-rounded hitter with some future power and he should be able to stay on the left side of the infield.
33. Bobby Seymour, 1B
Seymour’s path to the big leagues runs straight through the batter’s box. He is a well below-average runner and can only play first base, so he has to hit. He has big power and a strong approach but has more in-zone swing-and-miss than is ideal. If he doesn’t improve in that regard, he might have a ceiling as a Triple-A masher. He’s solid defensively and has an accurate arm.
34. Trevor Martin, RHP
A closer at Oklahoma State, the Rays are attempting to develop Martin as a starter. The early returns were promising, although he was facing less-experienced Low-A hitters. His 92-94 mph fastball shows promise and starting is helping him quickly refine his secondary offerings.
35. Hunter Haas, 2B
Haas had an impressive season at the plate as Texas A&M’s shortstop. The Rays’ 2023 fourth-round pick has the potential to be a well-rounded second baseman who can play shortstop in an emergency.
36. Greg Jones, OF/SS
Jones remains on the 40-man roster, and with the Rays’ shortstop uncertainty, he could make his MLB debut in 2024. He’ll play 2024 as a 26-year-old, and seems now slated to be a role player, but a potentially useful one.
37. Heriberto Hernandez, OF
Hernandez has massive raw power, but other than a stint at homer-happy Bowling Green, he’s struggled to actually hit enough home runs to profile as a corner outfielder.
38. Brock Jones, OF
The best athlete among the Rays’ many outfield prospects, Jones hasn’t hit enough yet. There is hope that the former two-sport athlete (football and baseball) will be a late-bloomer.
39. Ryan Cermak, OF
Cermak is a toolsy outfielder with a solid chance to hit, but his 2023 season was largely derailed by a wrist injury. He’ll look to make up for lost time at High-A Bowling Green in 2024.
40. Ronny Simon, 2B
Simon is a speedy, versatile utility infielder who can play multiple spots around the infield. He’s likely to become a fan-favorite in Triple-A Durham while waiting for sporadic calls to Tampa Bay as needed.
