Which prospects stood out on the Rays' farm?
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This story was excerpted from Adam Berry¡¯s Rays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Junior Caminero arrived in the Majors last month with a smile and a simple explanation for the No. 1 jersey hanging behind him inside the home clubhouse at Tropicana Field.
¡°Because I am No. 1,¡± the 20-year-old said through interpreter Manny Navarro.
The Rays¡¯ rash of late-season injuries hastened Caminero¡¯s climb to the Majors, but the slugging infielder was responsible for his rise up the prospect rankings. A borderline Top 100 prospect as he began the season with High-A Bowling Green, Caminero finished the year in the American League Wild Card Series as MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 6 overall prospect and, for Tampa Bay, No. 1 indeed.
Named the Breakout Prospect of the Year, Caminero was the story of the Rays¡¯ system this year and generated a ton of excitement about his future. But he was not their only highlight.
The Rays also saw Taj Bradley and Curtis Mead (No. 34 overall) break into the Majors, shortstop Carson Williams (No. 19 overall) continue to shine and first-round pick Brayden Taylor (Rays No. 5) join a jam-packed group of intriguing infield prospects.
Here¡¯s a look at the Rays¡¯ season down on the farm.
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Three players who forced their way onto the radar this year
Xavier Isaac, 1B (Rays¡¯ No. 4 prospect, No. 94 overall)
Isaac rapidly transformed from a somewhat-controversial first-round pick in the 2022 Draft into a legitimate Top 100 prospect, validating the Rays¡¯ belief in him and the work he put in last offseason. The 19-year-old hit .285/.395/.521 with 19 homers, 20 doubles, 72 RBIs, 12 steals and 92 strikeouts (compared to 64 walks) over 102 games between Single-A Charleston and Bowling Green in his first full professional season. He¡¯s still a long way away from the Majors, but he has established himself as a prospect to watch.
Dominic Keegan, C (Rays¡¯ No. 9 prospect)
When the Rays selected Keegan out of Vanderbilt in the fourth round of last year¡¯s Draft, the question was whether he could remain behind the plate. He started to answer that question this year, starting 79 games at catcher for Charleston and Bowling Green and earning positive reviews from Tampa Bay¡¯s staff. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old batted .287/.386/.466 with 13 homers in 106 games. He¡¯s gaining more experience in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League, and if he continues on this trajectory, Keegan could be a capable, all-around catcher of the future to dream on.
Yoniel Curet, RHP (Rays¡¯ No. 22 prospect)
The 20-year-old emerged as one of the system¡¯s top arms this year by recording a 2.94 ERA with 144 strikeouts in 104 innings for Charleston and Bowling Green. The Rays liked Curet entering the season and named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year, as did MLB Pipeline. But there is one point of concern: For all his success, he walked 16.9 percent of the batters he faced this season and has walked 5.8 batters per nine innings in his career. If he can get that under control, watch out.
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Two possible breakout players to watch in 2024
Santiago Suarez, RHP (Rays¡¯ No. 14 prospect)
The Rays were thrilled to land Suarez in a trade with the Marlins last winter. (Considering their history with Caminero and Mead, you can¡¯t help but pay attention when they target someone straight out of complex-league ball.) His organizational debut was encouraging, too, as he logged a 1.52 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 4.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15 appearances between the Rookie-level FCL Rays and Charleston. He¡¯ll only be 19 next season, and if he keeps posting results like that, he has a chance to take off in a big way.
Chandler Simpson, OF (Rays¡¯ No. 20 prospect)
The 22-year-old stole 94 bases, tied for most in the Minors, and didn¡¯t hit a single home run in 115 games for Charleston and Bowling Green. The scouting jokes about Simpson¡¯s profile -- 90-grade speed, 10-grade power -- might very well be true. But he might make it work. With his speed and bat-to-ball ability, Simpson hit .293 with a .373 on-base percentage and only 44 strikeouts this year. Simpson¡¯s speed makes him a fascinating prospect, especially if he keeps getting on base. There just aren¡¯t many players like him.
One big question for next season: Who is the next impact pitching prospect?
For years, the Rays operated a sort of conveyor belt delivering arms through the Minors and into their rotation. Brendan McKay was a highly ranked prospect when he debuted. Josh Fleming was well-regarded by the organization and immediately played a role. Then came Shane McClanahan (and, for a time, Luis Pati?o) plus Shane Baz, and Bradley followed that path this year.
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Who¡¯s next? That answer is not so clear.
Mason Montgomery, the club¡¯s No. 7 prospect, took a step back despite reaching Triple-A this season. Cole Wilcox (No. 11) was healthy but inconsistent in Double-A. Ian Seymour (No. 15) just returned from Tommy John surgery this summer. Lefty Jacob Lopez (No. 27) debuted this season and pitched well in a lower-leverage long-relief role.
Will one of those prospects take a step forward? Will another starter burst on the scene? Or will the Rays have to wait around to see how Curet, Suarez and others develop in the lower Minors?