clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2018 DRaysBay Community Prospect No. 3

Willy Adames was denied a unanimous decision, but he settled into the No. 2 spot nonetheless.

Philadelphia Phillies v Tampa Bay Rays
Willy Adames was unable to win 100 percent of the vote
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Shortstop Willy Adames easily won the No. 2 spot on the list. He was No. 1 last season, but I think he’s so close with Brent Honeywell that it’s not really a shocking decision. I think how the next couple votes goes will be interesting.

For the next two weeks, polls will be posted on Tuesdays and Fridays, not on the usual Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedule. Enjoy the weekend.

2018 Community prospect list

Rank Player Votes Total Percentage Last season
Rank Player Votes Total Percentage Last season
1 RHP Brent Honeywell 24 33 72.7% 2
2 SS Willy Adames 23 24 95.8% 1
3 1B/LHP Brendan McKay 16 34 47.1% N/A
4 OF Jesus Sanchez 26 35 74.3% 9
5 1B/OF Jake Bauers 29 39 74.4% 4
6 OF Justin Williams 24 35 68.6% 17
7 IF Christian Arroyo 19 38 50.0% N/A
8 OF Garrett Whitley 15 36 41.7% 15
9 LHP Anthony Banda Special election N/A
10 RHP Jose De Leon 15 33 45.5% 3
11 OF Joshua Lowe 13 30 43.3% 7
12 SS Lucius Fox 16 36 44.4% 13
13 SS Wander Franco 13 35 37.1% N/A
14 RHP Austin Franklin 17 33 51.5% 22
15 RHP Tobias Myers 11 32 34.4% N/A
16 2B Nick Solak Special election N/A
17 RHP Michael Mercado 7 27 25.9% N/A
18 1B/OF Joe McCarthy 9 33 27.3% 25
19 2B Brandon Lowe 7 31 22.6% N/R
20 RHP Chih-Wei Hu 8 28 28.6% 6
21 RHP Jaime Schultz 9 32 28.1% 12
22 C Ronaldo Hernandez 11 30 36.7% N/R
23 RHP Diego Castillo 9 25 36.0% 50
24 RHP Yonny Chirinos 12 28 42.9% 41
25 2B Vidal Brujan 10 28 35.7% N/R
26 RHP Ryne Stanek 8 25 32.0% 20
27 LHP Resly Linares 7 26 26.9% 47
28 LHP Genesis Cabrera 12 27 44.4% 23
29 3B Kevin Padlo 9 27 33.3% 14
30 LHP Ryan Yarbrough 13 29 44.8% 19
31 LHP Brock Burke N/R
32 RHP Drew Strotman N/A
33 SS Jermaine Palacios N/A
34 C Brett Sullivan 26
35 C Nick Ciuffo 24
36 OF Ryan Boldt 38
37 IF Carlos Vargas 27
38 3B Adrian Rondon 11
39 LHP Travis Ott 40
40 RHP Curtis Taylor N/A

IF Christian Arroyo (R/R, 6’1 180, 23 in 2018)

2017 statistics with San Francisco: 135 PA, .192/.244/.304, 8 XBH, 5.9 BB%, 30.5 K%
2017 statistics with Triple-A Sacramento: 102 PA, .396/.461/.604, 4 HR, 11 XBH, 5.9 BB%, 11.8 K%

The biggest problem for Arroyo in 2017 was likely not his struggles in his brief big league debut, but the hand injury that required surgery in November to address. He was hit in that hand twice during the season. Defensively, he should be able to handle second or third base, and he’ll need his hit tool to carry him. He’s not too selective, but he is a career .300 hitter in the minors. He has never hit more than nine home runs or stole more than seven bases in a season.

1B/OF Jake Bauers (L/L, 6’1 195, 22 in 2018)

2017 statistics with Triple-A Durham: 575 PA, .263/.368/.412, 31 2B, 13 HR, 20-of-23 SB, 13.6 BB%, 19.5 K%

Like Adames, Bauers’ 2017 season with Durham was very similar to his 2016 with Montgomery, although it is perhaps notable that his strikeout rate was a new career high. Despite that, his hit tool is still his best, and that’s what will get him to the majors. He’s able to wait for his pitch and make good contact. His 45 extra-base hits tied a career high, and he could have average power. After two seasons of experimentation in the outfield, he seems more and more like a regular first baseman.

1B/LHP Brendan McKay (L/L, 6’2 212, 22 in 2018)

2017 statistics with short-season Hudson Valley: 149 PA, .232/.349/.376, 4 HR, 14.1 BB%, 22.1 K% — 20 IP, 1.80 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 6.8 BB%, 28.8 K%

The Rays chose McKay with the No. 4 pick in the 2017 draft, giving them the opportunity to develop a unique two-way talent. Maybe it’s not likely that he’s still pitching and hitting when he reaches the majors, but he’s talented in both roles. No one knows what will happen.

On the mound, his fastball leads a group of three above-average pitches that includes a breaking ball and changeup. He throws strikes and would move through the system quickly as a starter. At the plate, he makes good contact with above-average power potential.

OF Jesus Sanchez (L/R, 6’3 210, 20 in 2018)

2017 statistics with Class-A Bowling Green: 512 PA, .305/.348/.478, 15 HR, 48 XBH, 6.3 BB%, 17.8 K%

On a Bowling Green team filled with some of the organization’s best talent, particularly in the outfield, Sanchez stood out in all phases of the game. His .305 average was actually the lowest of his career so far. He has great hand-eye coordination and does not strike out often despite his fairly aggressive approach. He has above-average power potential, which is enough to profile in a corner outfield spot, where he’ll be a quality defender with solid athleticism and arm strength.

OF Garrett Whitley (R/R, 6’1 195, 21 in 2018)

2017 statistics with Class-A Bowling Green: 426 PA, .249.,362/.430, 13 HR, 35 XBH, 21-of-25 SB, 13.4 BB%, 28.6 K%

After his customary slow start to the season, Whitley showed off all of his tools with Bowling Green. The 2015 13th-overall pick is a great athlete with impressive power potential, hitting 10 of his 13 home runs over the season’s final two months. Although his walk rate is encouraging, his astronomical strikeout rate is going to have to come down at some point. While he spent most of 2017 in a corner outfield spot, he should have no problem playing center field.