Baseball America releases Tampa Bay Rays top 10 prospects list

The annual (Wander Franco) Baseball America (Wander Franco) prospect rankings (Wander Franco) are out. Wander Franco is at the top of the list for Tampa Bay once again as the prospect wunderkind dazzled during his sophomore season in the Rays system, displaying incredible ability for a player of his age against advanced competition.

Meanwhile, Joe Ryan had a meteoric rise though the Rays’ prospect rankings — entering the season as an unheralded player only to suddenly start striking out every opposing hitter that dared step up to the plate, despite not really having overpowering stuff. Deception is the name of the game for Ryan, who uses his fastball over 70% of the time. He’ll look to harness other pitches as he gears up for a full season in the upper levels of the organization.

The complete top 10 is listed below, and Baseball America subscribers can read its report for each player.

1. SS Wander Franco (2018: 1st)
Tool Grades: Hit: 80 Power: 60 Run: 50 Fielding: 55 Arm: 50

2. LHP Brendan McKay (2018: 3rd)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 60 Curveball: 50 Slider: 50 Cutter: 60 Control: 60

3. LHP Matthew Liberatore (2018: 5th)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 60 Curveball: 60 Slider: 45 Changeup: 55 Control: 55

4. 2B Vidal Brujan (2018: 7th)
Tool Grades: Hit: 60 Power: 40 Run: 80 Fielding: 55 Arm: 50

5. RHP Shane Baz (2018: 11th)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 70 Curveball: 50 Slider: 70 Changeup: 50 Control: 40

6. RHP Brent Honeywell (2018: 2nd)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 60 Curveball: 55 Slider: 55 Changeup: 60 Screwball: 70 Control: 55

7. LHP Shane McClanahan (2018: 12th)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 70 Curveball: 60 Slider: 50 Changeup: 50 Control: 45

8. C Ronaldo Hernandez (2018: 4th)
Tool Grades: Hit: 45 Power: 60 Run: 30 Fielding: 45 Arm: 70

9. RHP Joe Ryan (2018: Unranked)
Tool Grades: Fastball: 70 Curveball: 55 Slider: 40 Changeup: 30 Control: 55

10. OF Josh Lowe (2018: 16th)
Tool Grades: Hit: 40 Power: 60 Run: 60 Fielding: 60 Arm: 60

BA’s top tools in the Rays system:

Best Hitter for Average: Wander Franco
Best Power Hitter: Moises Gomez
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Wander Franco
Fastest Baserunner: Vidal Brujan
Best Athlete: Greg Jones
Best Fastball: Shane Baz
Best Curveball: Matthew Liberatore
Best Slider: Shane Baz
Best Changeup: Brent Honeywell
Best Control: Brendan McKay
Best Defensive Catcher: Roberto Alvarez
Best Defensive Infielder: Taylor Walls
Best Infield Arm: Jermaine Palacios
Best Defensive Outfielder: Josh Lowe
Best Outfield Arm: Tanner Dodson