The Tampa Bay Rays farm system has undergone a vast change since Baseball America announced the team’s top ten prospects entering the 2026 season back on November 25th.
Back then, Brandon Lowe was still the Rays starting second baseman and Shane Baz was a primary member of the starting rotation. Now both of those players are with new organizations and the Rays have injected a handful of new prospects to the system, several of whom have taken spots in the aforementioned top ten.
The entire list is behind a paywall but I will include the notables from the rankings as well as from the accompanying articles from Baseball America.
Here is where the newcomers are ranked:
As recognized by Baseball America, many prospects within the Rays system had years to forget in 2025, either due to poor performance or health issues. Here’s a summary of those observations:
As part of their rankings, Baseball America also publishes their scouting grades for each player’s tools. There are several players who received grades that are well above average and they are as follows:
As for one of the most polarizing prospects in the Rays system, Baseball America ranks Ty Johnson at 22nd. The 24-year old hurler was acquired from the Cubs at the 2024 trade deadline in the deal that sent Isaac Paredes to Chicago. Since being acquired, Johnson has absolutely dominated and was one of the best starting pitchers in all of minor league baseball in 2025; however, Johnson lacks a third pitch and this leads many scouts into believing that is future is in the bullpen and thus his low ranking in the team’s system. Baseball America did include him as a sleeper prospect in the Rays system.
Meanwhile Baseball America identifies Jackson Baumeister, whom the Rays acquired in the Zach Eflin trade, as a potential breakout candidate in 2026. The 23-year old had a rough go of it in 2025 as he was blistered early on, settled down in May and then missed a few months with a shoulder injury before returning late and dominating. The Rays set him the Arizona Fall League to recoup some innings but during an appearance he was struck in the head by a linedrive. He miraculously wasn’t seriously injured.
Spring training is just around the corner and several players on the Rays top 30 should receive invites to spring training and the majority of this list should partake in the annual Spring Breakout games held in March.
