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MLB Pipeline, the prospect ranking group at mlb.com, released their Top 30 Rays prospects this week after taking some time to re-evaluate the systems. Pipeline is unique in that their site updates continuously throughout the year, including after trades and drafts, but a re-load of evaluations is necessary. Here's how things turned out.
1. Justin O'Conner, C
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 80 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
He has top-of-the-scale arm strength... His defense lessens the pressure on his bat, but he'll still need to prove he can consistently hit advanced pitching to reach his ceiling in the Major Leagues.
2. Daniel Robertson, SS
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Robertson employs a mature approach at the plate... A below-average runner... he's proved to be a steady defender at shortstop, thanks to his instincts, arm strength and soft hands.
3. Willy Adames, SS
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Adames has a disciplined approach at the plate, showing a willingness to work the count... quick wrists... Scouts like Adames' present defensive skills, especially his arm strength and hands.
4. Steven Souza Jr, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
Toolsy and athletic, Souza combines good speed with big raw power. His loose, easy swing allows him to drive the ball to all fields. He uses an up-the-middle-approach that has helped him cut down on his strikeouts and make better use of his power.
5. Adrian Rondon, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
Rondon has fluid actions on offense and defense, and he never seems out of control. He makes solid contact and has gap-to-gap power... Defensively, Rondon projects to stay at shortstop. He's a solid defender with a strong arm, quick feet and natural baseball instincts.
6. Casey Gillaspie, 1B
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
patient hitter and finished second in the country in walks and walks per game as a junior at Wichita State... bottom-of-the-scale speed... sure-handed defender with the polish to move quickly in the Minor Leagues.
7. Brent Honeywell, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Screwball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
touching as high as 97 mph... projectable... advanced feel for pitching allows him to get the most out of his deep repertoire.... good athleticism and repeats his quick, easy delivery well. He has good command as a result and isn't afraid to attack hitters, traits that will help him as he advances in the Minor Leagues.
8. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50
When Guerrieri is healthy, he has the same kind of electric stuff that made him a first-round pick out of high school. ... His curveball has good depth, giving it has the makings of an out pitch. He made strides with his changeup, giving him three average-or-better offerings.
9. Ryan Brett, 2B
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
A compact swing and quick hands allow Brett to make consistent hard contact... He knows how to take advantage of his plus speed... He has made significant strides on the defensive side of the ball... Brett endears himself to scouts with his hustle and hard-nosed style of play... his tools give him a good chance to be a solid regular in the Major Leagues.
10. Alex Colome, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50
powerful fastball... His cutter-like slider is his best secondary offering, and he'll also mix in a changeup and curveball. Consistency can be a problem with his secondary stuff... Colome has had success as a starter in the big leagues and he has the overall package to stay there.
Note: There are full profiles and stats on every player behind the link, with video attachments as well. This ends our sampling of the player commentary, but you should go read the full write ups and learn more.
11. Nathan Karns, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50
12. Blake Snell, LHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
13. Nick Ciuffo, C
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
14. Mikie Mahtook, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50| Field: 50 | Overall: 45
15. Enny Romero, LHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
16. Hak-Ju Lee, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
17. Andrew Velazquez, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 65 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
18. Cameron Varga, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
19. Boog Powell, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
20. Justin Williams, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
21. Ryne Stanek, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
22. Richie Shaffer, 1B/3B
Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
23. Tyler Goeddel, 3B
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
24. Jake Bauers, 1B
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
25. Burch Smith, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
26. Jose Dominguez, RHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 80 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
27. Mike Montgomery, LHP
Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
28. Jake Hager, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
29. Tim Beckham, SS
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
30. Andrew Toles, OF
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
And in full disclosure, here's their peripheral rankings.
Biggest jump: Justin O'Conner, C (2014: Unranked | 2015: 1)
Biggest fall: Andrew Toles, OF (2014: 4 | 2015: 30)
Best Tool: Player (tool grade)
Hit: Daniel Robertson (60)
Power: Casey Gillaspie (60)
Run: Andrew Toles (70)
Arm: Justin O'Conner (80)
Defense: O'Conner (60)
Fastball: Jose Dominguez (80)
Curveball: Nathan Karns (60)
Slider: Blake Snell (55)
Changeup: Mike Montgomery (55)
Control: Taylor Guerrieri (55)