A quick look at a few less-heralded prospects that are doing well so far.
The number (or NR for not ranked) after the player's name is where he was on RaysBaseball.com's preseason Top 25 list.
Jon Switzer - #23 - LHP - AA - 26.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 15 K, 4 BB, 1 HR
He's attempting to come back from a torn labrum last year, an injury which can easily put a pitcher's career in a death spiral. It's really unfortunate because without that he probably would be in the Rays rotation already. So far so good in Double-A, hopefully he'll continue to do well and be promoted soon and we'll have a bit of hope for starting pitching help on the horizon.
Francisco Leandro - NR - OF - Low-A - .425/.489/.625
He's a questionable prospect since he's almost 25 and still in Low-A ball. He really needs to be promoted soon, he has over 180 ABs between this year and last at the level and has done superbly. Time to find out if he can be successful against better pitching.
James Houser - #17 - LHP - Low-A - 21 IP, 3.00 ERA, 21 K, 7 BB, 2 HR
Shoulder troubles have derailed Houser's progress so far but he continues to do very well when healthy.
John Jaso - #20 - C - Low-A - .324/.350/.568
The walk rate needs to improve but based on his previous performance it should. If Shawn Riggans' elbow doesn't hold up then Jaso is probably the best catching prospect in the system.