Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (11) | 2011 (3) | 2010 (1) | 2009 (4) | 2008 (1) | 2007 (1)
2011 Affiliate Records
MLB: [91-71] AL East
AAA: [80-62] International League – Durham
AA: [65-74] Southern League – Montgomery
A+: [64-75] Florida State League – Charlotte
A: [77-63] Midwest League – Bowling Green
A(ss): [37-39] New York-Penn League – Hudson Valley
The Run Down
It’s no secret that the Rays’ player development systems are tremendous. And when reviewing these Rays prospects, it’s important to keep that in mind. They’re so adept at churning out major league talent that it’s hard to imagine even the fringy guys not panning out. It’s also no secret that Matt Moore is for real. Of all the prospects arriving this year, I’m comfortable saying his impact will be the most profound – perhaps by a wide margin. He makes everyone else in this post look kinda boring, but I assure you there are other bright spots in this Tampa Bay system. As there will be next year, and the next year, and th… You get the idea.
Arizona Fall League Players – Surprise Saguros
Shane Dyer (RHP); Marquis Fleming (RHP); Adam Liberatore (LHP); Tim Beckham (3B); Tyler Bortnick (2B); Mikie Mahtook (OF)
Graduated Prospects
Jeremy Hellickson (RHP); Desmond Jennings (OF); Jake McGee (LHP); Alex Cobb (RHP)
Players of Interest
Hitters
Brandon Guyer | OF:
At 26-years-old, Guyer has little left to prove in the minors. 48 XBH (14 homers) in 443 trips to the plate with Durham reflects his readiness. Guyer has the tools and makeup of a regular in the bigs. It’s only a matter of time, now, ’til his opportunity arrives.
Tim Beckham | SS:
Beckham was the #1 overall selection in the 2008 draft, but he’s been a disappointment thus far. Despite his struggles, he has been able to push his way through to Triple-A and 2011 was his best professional year to-date – still not great, though: .271/.328/.408. At 22-years-old, I suppose there’s still time for him to come around. I find it unlikely, however, that he’ll ever be much more than a bench player in the majors. Beckham will open 2012 back in Durham.
Pitchers
Matt Moore | RHP – SP:
Moore ranks as my top prospect for 2012 and you can read that post here. Just yesterday, I happily overpaid for him in an auction for a weekly H2H. His RP eligibility allows me to free up an extra SP slot – one which I’ll exploit with 2-start pickups off the wire. I hate closers, anyway.
Alex Torres | LHP – SP:
Torres has already pitched some high-leverage innings with the Rays late last season and he’s ready to return to big league action for 2012. Unfortunately, though, Tampa’s rotation is too crowded to accommodate. Torres will open 2012 in Triple-A, instead. A filthy fastball-changeup combo helped him lead the International League in strikeouts last season. He’d likely be the first option if the big club has a need.
Honorable Mention
Hitters
Hak-Ju Lee | SS:
I recently ranked Lee at #25 in my Top 25 Prospects for 2013 & Beyond post. His defense is major league-ready now, and I’m confident his bat will be ready by 2013. The Rays could use help at short, so don’t expect them to be overly patient with Lee.
Mikie Mahtook | OF:
Mahtook, a first-round selection in last June’s draft, signed late and made his pro debut – an impressive one – in the Arizona Fall League. The LSU product is advanced enough to start 2012 in High-A and he should move quickly from there. Still, don’t expect to see him in Tampa ’til 2014.
Pitchers
Chris Archer | RHP – SP:
Archer will open 2012 with Durham and he’s widely thought to be arriving in Tampa at some point this year. I’m a little more skeptical. Stuff-wise, he’s certainly capable of blossoming into a frontend starter, but control issues are holding him back. He needs to develop an improved feel for his delivery if he’s to succeed in the majors and he hasn’t shown enough in that regard for me to believe that he will. Dangerous guy if he gets it together, though.
Alex Colome | RHP – SP:
Colome delivers an effortless mid-90’s sinker and counters with a nice change and a work-in-progress slider. Like Archer, he can be wild at times, but the Rays are confident he’ll develop into a quality mid-rotation starter. I believe them. A 2013 arrival seems likely.
