FanPost

Community Prospect list update

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As the user name might suggest, Dbullsfan is one of our most active and knowledgeable community members when it comes to the minor leagues. Big thanks to him for putting this together. -Ian


The time is near for many of the Full Season ball all-star games and for short season ball to start in the minors. I think this is a good time to look back on our off-season Community prospect list and see how we are doing. Overall this has been a great start to the year for many of the Rays prospects. We have gotten about what we expected from the guys at the top and had quite a few guys break out as well. I tried to come up with a list of breakout candidates so far and it is not a short list and that is a great thing. As many know here I'm far from an expert at the sabr stats and will encourage any to add some positively or negatively to anything I might have based off of box score stats.

1. SS Daniel Robertson (42.9% in special election)

Injury has interupted what was a solid season for the 21 year old in AA. Despite an ice cold final 10 games (7-37) Robertson still posted a near .800 OPS in 200 AB. He will probably fall in many mid-season list more due to the accomplishments of others than his own doing.

2. SS Willy Adames (91.6%)

The prized piece of the David Price deal will spend all season as a 19 year old in High A ball with Charlotte and has done quite well in what is a pitchers league. Adames hasn't shown a ton of power but has the body type to hopefully develop some more strength as he gets older. .297/379/.419. Adames has himself right in the middle of the argument for #1.

3. OF Steven Souza (52.6%)

Steven Souza will obviously graduate from this list but has been hit and miss for the Rays this season. The power and speed has clearly been there but so have the strikeouts. While only hitting .222 Souza does lead the Rays with 13 HR and 8 SB. The average and OB% is a bit lower than many expected but when all is said and done if Souza can get near a 30/20 season that will be more than good enough for a rookie.

4. RHP Taylor Guerrieri (51.4% in runoff)

Guerrieri has returned from injury and picked up where he left off, TG has given up 8 runs in just 18.1 innings but has a 22/3 K/BB ratio and has only given up more than 1 run in just 1 of 6 outings (4 starts).

5. RHP Alex Colome (68.8%)

Alex Colome has been a bit of a disappointment so far this year after having some visa issues followed by a battle with pneumonia to start the season. I may be a little harsh on a guy many expected to be a 5th starter or bullpen arm but I had him #1 in my personal list going into the year. Colome has been inconsistent, mainly struggling with his command in the zone. Overall Colome has just 35 K and a 5+ ERA in 10 starts. He is starting to look like a harder throwing version of Jeremy Hellickson.

6. 2B Ryan Brett (51.2% in runoff)

Ryan Brett got a lot of run in big league camp this year and thanks to injuries got a look in the regular season until the injury bug bit him as well. Brett hasn't hit well in AAA this year and is striking out higher than you would like but the Rays obviously saw something in him they liked so there is definite hope for the 23 year old to be in line for a utility spot sooner than later.

7. C Justin O'Conner (70%)

O'Conner has probably been the one guy who has been a big disappointment so far. Just about everybody jumped all aboard the hype train after a nice performance in the AFL and the huge hype behind his defense. In perfect Rays catcher fashion though he just hasn't hit. He has fluctuated right around the Mendoza line all year, currently right at .200 with an OPS of .551 and has drawn just 6 walks to 67 K in 200 AB. His defense may very well get him to the majors but he is going to have to hit at least a little to stay there.

8. SS Adrian Rondon (36.6%)

Rondon should get started with the GCL Rays this upcoming week, I'm hoping to get a chance to see him play and like many others will be glued into reports/box scores to see how he is doing.

9. RHP Brent Honeywell (31.0%)

The first of the break-through pitchers to show up on this list, Honeywell has been masterful so far in his first year of full-season ball. Highlighted by his no-hit performance on May 17th, Honeywell has had 11 starts posting a 2.75 ERA with 71 K to 11 BB. He has been very consistent posting a WHIP of 1.00 or lower in 9 of his 11 starts. Only 20 years old he will most likely finish the season with Bowling Green although an aggressivepromotion would be deserved.

10. 1B Casey Gillaspie (36.6%)

The former 1st rd pick is finally coming into his own this year for Bowling Green, Gillaspie has already slugged 15 HR while sporting a 27/40 BB/K ratio which is very good for a power hitter. Casey did turn 22 this year and it is hard to imagine Mike Marjema is blocking him at DH for Charlotte

11. LHP Enny Romero (35.1%)

Like many Rays pitchers Romero has battled injuries this year but now finds himself in the major league bullpen and may have found a nice home there. His overall numbers are not very impressive and the command is still not there however he has flashed the potential to be a Jake Mcgee lite with a little more experience coming out of the pen.

12. IF Andrew Velazquez (58.8%)

The forgotten man as I like to call him was having a solid open to his season in Charlotte before fracturing a hammate bone knocking him out after just 17 games. He showed very little power posting a line of .279/.338/.324 with 16 K and 6 BB.

13. RHP Nathan Karns (36.4%)

Karns has (knock on wood) avoided the injury bug so far and has been a pleasant surprise. I had him behind Colome and Smith in terms of guys I'd hoped would get the #5 starting spot but Karns has proved me wrong so far posting a very solid 3.67 ERA with a 4.15 FIP has he has been basically pushed into the #2 role behind Chris Archer in the rotation allowing 2 runs or less in 7 of his last 9 starts.

14. LHP Blake Snell (57.9%)

Blake Snell was the talk of the prospect town to open the season as he was pretty much untouchable not allowing a run in his first 45 innings of the season including a promotion to AA, now although "struggling" in his 9 AA starts (1.71 ERA 24 BB/61 K) his overall numbers are a staggering 7-2 with a 1.22 ERA and 88K/35BB in 73 innings. Snell very well might have a slight advantage in the fight for #1 with Adames and others.

15. OF Mikie Mahtook (48.5%)

Due to injuries Mahtook has gotten his first taste of the majors this year and hasn't hit much but has had a couple of timely HR. Similar to Ryan Brett Mahtook has struggled a bit hitting in AAA although the Rays have shown confidence in him and I still see him being a 4th or 5th OF possibly as soon as next season.

16. LF Justin Williams (55.6%)

The 19 year old has had a solid while not spectacular year in Bowling Green so far hitting a 273/.294/.426. The power has been nice but the walks are an issue only 6 in 216 AB's. He is still young and has the size to hopefully develop even more power as he gets older.

17. C Nick Ciuffo (58.1%)

The theme with Rays catchers throughout the organization is they can't hit. Now Ciuffo is still young just turned 20 this season but is posting a .534 OPS with Bowling Green and that just isn't going to cut it. 5 BB to 31 K and just 10 XBH (9 2B) in 178 AB's.

18. RHP Burch Smith (32.4%)

A guy who most certainly would have made starts in the majors this season had it cut short as he underwent Tommy John before ever making a minor league appearance.

19. RHP German Marquez (36.4%)

Quietly the recently turned 20 year old Marquez has been very solid/good with High A Charlotte. He isn't striking many people out, just 42 in 60 innings but also not walking many, just 16. He ERA is prettier than probably deserved at 3.30 but he has been better of late allowing more than 1 run just twice in his last 8 starts.

20. RHP Ryne Stanek (36.4%)

the 23 year old coming off an injury dominated High A ball (as he should) and has been solid since a promotion to AA. He has had issues with command walking 14 in 24 innings with Montgomery after 15 in 50 innings in High A and his K% has decreased dramatically. Hopefully he is just adjusting to the new league and will pick it back up in the 2nd half as he could vault himself up into the top 10 of this list by the end of the year.

21. OF Boog Powell (28.6%)

Sam Fuld version #2 has had a very nice season with Montgomery posting a .333/.412/.427 stash line with 10 SB while being caught 8 times (or shall I say KK part 2.) If he can work on his base stealing ability he isn't going to need the power, especially if he is getting on base 40% of the time. The lack of power limits his ceiling a bit but he will be interesting to keep an eye on

22. 2B Kean Wong (29.4%)

After a very slow start Wong has been scorching hot of late for the Stone Crabs. Over his last 10 Wong has hit .452 raising his season line to .278/.320/.340 . He isn't taking many walks (just 15 in 212 AB) and has very little power, however unlike Powell has had a good year on the bases successful in 12 of 14 SB attempts.

23. 1B Jake Bauers (45.7%)

Bauers has had an up and down season with the bat (currently down hitting just .211 in his last 10) although overall has had a very good season for a kid who will be 19 all season long in the FSL. Bauers has a line of .265/.356/.433 he has shown a great approach and the couple games I got to see showed a glimpse of using the whole field and a very nice swing.

24. IF Jake Hager (21.2%)

Hager will miss the entire season due to knee surgery

25. 1B Patrick Leonard (22.2%)

Doubles machine Patrick Leonard is just not hitting enough right now as a 1B. .215/.301/.373 for a 22 year old in AA could be worse but will soon be passed up by Casey Gillaspie at some point I'd imagine.

26. RHP Jose Dominguez (32.4%)

Dominguez looked good in a short stint with the Rays this year unfortunately like many has been battling injuries and currently finds himself on the DL in AAA. The velocity hasn't been as high as expected and the injuries could be the cause.

27. SS Hak-Ju Lee (37.8%)

Lee has been better lately (hitting .300 over his last 10) but still struggling with an OPS just over .600. He does have 10 SB in 12 attempts so hopefully that part of his game is returning but I can't imagine his ceiling being much more than a AAAA infielder at this point

28. RHP Matt Andriese (28.0%)

Andriese has been up and down from Durham all year because of injuries and has been good in both places, albeit a bit lucky as he has given up over a hit per inning while maintaining an ERA right around 3. Andriese is destined for a long relief role once everyone is healthy.

29. RHP Dylan Floro (31.0%)

Floro has been an innings machine for the Bulls this year as he is already to nearly 80 (79.2), while just walking 11 he has only struck out 51 and is giving up a little over a hit an inning. Floro has the ceiling of a #5 starter but most likely will end up as a AAAA SP or long relief man in the majors.

30. IF Tim Beckham (27.8%)

Beckham got off to a blazing start and was in particular a pinch hitting machine, he had since cooled off and than landed himself on the DL like many of his teammates. Beckham has shown more athleticism than many expected and looks like a legitimate major league, if only as a utility man off the bench.

I decided to include these "added" names from the final list because there are some interesting names on it including a couple of the break-out of the year candidates.

31. 3B/OF Tyler Goeddel (27)

Goeddel has made the move to CF this year for Montgomery and that alone helps his prospect status as power is not quite as necessary if he can stay there instead of a COF spot. Goeddel has been ice cold (under .200 over his last 10) but still has had a respectable line of .263/.333/.362 while racking up 14 SB. While not quite jumping up a ton he is still super athletic and a guy who can absolutely blow up at any point.

32. 3B Richie Shaffer (23)

Speaking of blowing up that may be the only way to describe what Richie Shaffer has done since a promotion to the Durham Bulls. In his first 20 AAA games he has slugged 8 HR while hitting .300 with 10 BB and 22 K. Now Shaffer wasn't as good in AA and has cooled down lately hitting just .256 although 5 HR in his last 10. 20 games is a very SSS but if he keeps up the power, Shaffer could go from off this list to top 10 going into next season.

33. LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (18)

strictly bullpen guys don't get a lot of love prospect wise and loogy's even less. That being said I still believe in Riefenhauser despite some struggles in the majors this year while also spending time on the DL. CJR should get some valuable work over the next few years in the Rays pen.

34. OF Johnny Field (13)

Field was a quality athletic OF coming off a nice 2014 but was still under the radar, that should be no longer. Now while he is 23 in AA (cough cough Rays promote him please) he has finally shown off some power with 10 HR already this season to go along with 8 SB and a stash line of .293/.347/.511 he could use drawing a few more walks and is undersized to be a tradional OF but if he continues to hit once he gets to AAA he is worth keeping an eye on.

35. CF Andrew Toles (11)

Toles had to take some time off last season for "personal reasons" and was released by the Rays before the start of this season. Quite disappointing as he was super athletic and showed quite a bit of promise. Hopefully he gets his life in order and ends up back on a baseball field at some point in his life.

36. OF Bralin Jackson (6)

Jackson is old for his league at 21 in Low A but has torn the league up to the tune of a stash line of .330/.379/.438. Only 3 HR and has been successful in only 10 of 18 attempts stealing and although he is already 21 hopefully he can add some muscle to his 6'2 frame and develop as he moves up in the system.

37. RHP Cameron Varga (4)

Varga will be opening the season with Hudson Valley this weekend.

38. RHP Jose Mujica (1)

Mujica will either be with Princeton or GCL, HV announced their roster and he is not on it.

39. C Maxx Tissenbaum

Tissenbaum hasn't been an everyday player for the Stone-Crabs and caught just 22 games while DH 14 this year. He is hitting the ball (especially of late) sporting a .730 OPS, which is good for the league although he is 23 years old. I wouldn't expect much out of him, Maxx has organizational soldier written all over him.

I'm going to add a few names as their have been a couple of breakout players that have been way too good to overlook here.

Jace Conrad-2B

22 years old in the MWL is probably why he was unheralded coming into the season although it is just his 2nd pro season after being selected in the 13th round last year. Conrad has been an all around stud for the Hot Rods hitting .298/.336/.498 with 10 HR and 20 SB. He certainly could use to take a few more walks which would allow for even more SB it is hard to argue with a kid on pace for 20/40 while hitting around .300. Would love to see a mid-season promotion for Conrad.

Jacob Faria-SP

Faria has been in the shadows at times for Port Charlotte with Blake Snell, Ryne Stanek, Taylor Guerrieri in town and even Buddy Borden pitched a no-hitter. All Faria has down however is been a very good steady Eddy. In 12 appearances (10 starts) Faria has given up just 11 runs (1.33 ERA) while walking just 22 and striking out 63 in 74.1 innings. Faria has given up 0 runs in 6 outings and just 1 in 3 others. Faria will turn 22 next month and a trip to Montgomery would be a nice birthday gift as he has little left to prove in High A.

Riley Unroe 2B

the 2nd round pick from 2013 didn't crack our top 30 but may next season after a solid year in Bowling Green. Unroe won't turn 20 until August and is posting a nice line of .301/.382/.379. Unroe doesn't have much power but is a solid baserunner (10-12 SB) and is heating up, currently on a 12 game hit streak. He has played this entire season at 2B with Christin Torbio at SS so I don't think it is an issue of him being blocked so I would assume his SS days are over.

Hunter Wood-RP

Hunter Wood has been very good this year although his usage has been odd. He has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen yet has thrown 49 innings in 16 appearances. He was a starter previously and hopefully will be once again. Wood has posted an impressive line of 1.47 ERA while striking out 66. Pitching out of the pen limits him but if he returns to the rotation next season in Charlotte will be worth keeping an eye on.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

In This FanPost

Teams