New Rays prospect additions fitting right into the organizational mold
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thirteen members of the Rays’ Top 30 prospect list weren’t in the organization at this time last year. Two arrived in the 2024 Draft, one was a 2025 international signee and a whopping 10 have come over in trades since last March. Normally with that level
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thirteen members of the Rays’ Top 30 prospect list weren’t in the organization at this time last year. Two arrived in the 2024 Draft, one was a 2025 international signee and a whopping 10 have come over in trades since last March. Normally with that level of turnover, you’d think the group would need to use nametags in their first spring together.
Except since the end of last season, Tampa Bay has worked at developing the cohesiveness of its farm system, now arguably the deepest in baseball -- starting with a fall camp after the season, then with another camp for top prospects in January and now full Spring Training.
“It doesn't feel like they're super-new anymore,” senior director of player development Blake Butera said. “If anything, we’re excited to see them play in our uniform against different uniforms by this point.”
If you look at the types of players the Rays acquired, certain key themes emerge.
There are the toolsy center fielders, like Theo Gillen (2024 first round) and Aidan Smith (Randy Arozarena trade). There are pitchers with fastballs featuring plenty of carry, like Brody Hopkins (Arozarena), Jackson Baumeister (Zach Eflin) and Ty Johnson (Isaac Paredes). There are the elite defenders up the middle, like Homer Bush Jr. (Jason Adam) and Gregory Barrios (Aaron Civale).
“I think what we do really well is our scouting and player developments are so close in terms of how often we talk,” Butera said. “We’re always going back and forth. ‘Hey, what do you see with this guy? Is this someone who we could help?’ There's a lot of collaboration between departments here to make sure that what our scouts see matches up with what our PD group sees matches up with what our front office sees, and vice versa.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Going back to last year’s High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery teams -- where much of the Rays’ farm system was concentrated after the Trade Deadline -- there has been a process in place to turn those new faces from Rays types into actual Rays prospects, and the organization is pleased by the early returns of that process.
Smith, in particular, earned high marks with the offseason regimen he presented to his new organization -- from baseball activities to strength workouts to nutrition -- as a follow-up to a first full season that featured 11 homers, 41 steals and an .874 OPS in 97 games at Single-A. Hopkins is about to get into his first Major League game of the spring on Friday, thus missing out on the Spring Breakout game the night before, with many intrigued to see where his fastball-slider combo stands.
“You have to think, their worlds just got turned upside down,” Butera said. “They thought they were Baltimore Orioles and were going to play in the Major Leagues with them. Then all of a sudden, they get flipped to us. We don't want to overreact to their results the last month of the season they were with us. We’ve been paying more attention to them this offseason going into 2025 and already we're very happy with both of them.”
The Rays’ additions haven’t touched their Top 100 core just yet -- top four prospects Carson Williams, Xavier Isaac, Brayden Taylor and Tre’ Morgan are all homegrown talents. But building depth behind and around that foundation is just Tampa Bay getting back to its roots.
“They don't see it as competition because of who we are as a Major League team and as an organization,” Butera said. “We move guys around, and at the end of the day, we want to get our best nine players in the lineup, regardless of where that is. They're pulling for each other. We all want to do this together and it's a cool environment.”
First base logjam: Xavier Isaac, Tre’ Morgan, Will Simpson
Last year’s Spring Training Report focused on the Rays’ depth at first base, and if anything that’s only gotten more convoluted in the 12 months since. Isaac and Morgan combined forces at both Double-A and in the Arizona Fall League with both seeing time in the outfield in the latter to get their respective plus tools (Morgan’s hit, Isaac’s power) into the lineup.
Never ones to shy away from adding a talent they believe can help, the Rays also brought in first baseman Simpson from the A’s this offseason as part of the return for left-handers Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez. The 2023 15th-rounder reached Double-A for 18 games late last summer and finished with 18 homers across 127 contests in his first full season, including those from his time at High-A. The Washington product has excited Tampa Bay coaches and coordinators with his extraordinary bat speed in early workouts, and he could provide a nice right-handed complement to lefties Morgan and Isaac.
“What he's able to do in the cages we haven't seen many people be able to do that just in terms of bat speed and exit velo,” Butera said. “I think we're all really excited to see him get in the games and get going.”
A possible solution would be to push Morgan to Triple-A Durham, considering his glovework at the cold corner is Major League-caliber already and his bat-to-ball skills could translate with an aggressive push. That would leave Isaac (who had serious contact issues in the Southern League) and Simpson in Montgomery, but that’s still up in the air, Butera noted. He added Simpson could see time at third base or move part time to the grass like the two others as the “good problems” continue.
“I think the three of those guys,” he said, “just with the ability to push out there, it gives us some more flexibility to get them in the lineup every day.”
Something new: Homer Bush Jr.
The Rays, of course, have a lightning-quick center fielder already in 100-stolen-base man Chandler Simpson and brought in another in Bush, who swiped 57 bags across two High-A teams in 2024. The latter lacks Simpson’s elite contact ability, but he’s shown a little more propensity for power, having hit six homers while slugging .363 last year.
With a full offseason under his new organization’s guidance, Bush has impressed Rays officials with some adjustments he’s made in the box to translate his premium athleticism into even more power in 2025, and the results have been there with a couple of homers in live batting practice sessions already.
“It’s about creating a little bit more separation,” Butera said. “He has a leg kick now and a little more hand movement, just getting his body in a better position to impact the ball. … He’s an explosive player. We know it’s in there. We just need to tap into it.”
2024 Draft sleeper: Nathan Flewelling
Gillen and Émilien Pitre were the only 2024 Draft picks to crack the Rays’ Top 30, but another one lurks just outside. Alberta native Flewelling secured his place on the radar with a strong showing at the MLB Draft Combine, and as a left-handed-hitting catcher with decent bat speed, he checked several boxes Tampa Bay likes in its backstop prospects before joining the organization in the third round.
Flewelling also only turned 18 in November, so he’ll be given plenty of time and space to develop. But his temperament in his first Spring Training is already catching attention from all corners.
“He went to our Major League game the other day,” Butera said, “and [Kevin] Cash was saying it felt like he had been up there for a few years.”
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
Introducing the New Comets Kids Club for the 2025 Season
OKLAHOMA CITY – Registration is now open for the new Oklahoma City Comets Kids Club presented by DICK’S House of Sport, which offers children ages 12 and under unique Comets gear, exclusive offers, special access and two free tickets to a select Comets game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. To join
Fan Fest Scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
OKLAHOMA CITY – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will open to the public for Fan Fest from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 as the Oklahoma City Comets welcome guests to the stadium for a free evening of fun and entertainment in advance of the 2025 season. The family-friendly event offers the opportunity
Annual High School Baseball Series Returns March 6
OKLAHOMA CITY – The 15th annual High School Baseball Series at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark begins this week. The first games are scheduled for March 6, kicking off a schedule of 13 games throughout March. Admission and parking to all High School Baseball Series games are complimentary. As part of the
New Manager Scott Hennessey Leads 2025 Oklahoma City Comets Coaching Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Comets, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Dodgers, have announced the 2025 Comets field staff, led by new manager Scott Hennessey. The rest of the coaching staff is comprised of hitting coaches Manny Burriss and Dylan Nasiatka, pitching coaches Ryan Dennick and David Anderson
2025 Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now!
OKLAHOMA CITY – Single-game tickets for all 75 of the Oklahoma City Comets’ home games at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark throughout the 2025 season are on sale now. Single-game ticket prices begin at $12 and can be purchased online here. This will be the first season Oklahoma City’s Triple-A baseball team
OKC Comets Hosting Annual Job Fair Next Week
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Comets will host the team’s annual job fair for 2025 gameday staff on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Available positions include ushers, gate attendants, ticket window attendants, field crew, cashiers, cooks,
Comets Announce Special Promotions, Theme Nights, Group Offers and New Ticket Flex Plan for 2025 Season
OKLAHOMA CITY – The newly rebranded Oklahoma City Comets will take the field for the first time at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in April and the team’s upcoming 2025 baseball schedule will offer unique special promotions, fun theme nights, group offers, weekly promotions and more to celebrate the Comets’ inaugural season.
From Oklahoma City to the World Series
Pitcher Walker Buehler recorded the final three outs of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season to earn a save. Infielder Kiké Hernández tied for the team lead with two hits. Infielder Gavin Lux recorded a RBI. Catcher Will Smith scored a run. While Buehler, Hernández, Lux and Smith each contributed to
Comets Era Lands in OKC
The lights dimmed at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark the night of Oct. 26 and an eager crowd of about 3,000 people turned their gaze to the center field video board. Soon an image of a glowing comet soaring through the night sky illuminated the screen as the next chapter in Oklahoma
Introducing the Oklahoma City Comets!
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City’s Triple-A baseball team is now known as the Oklahoma City Comets. The OKC Comets name pays homage to Oklahoma baseball legend Mickey Mantle, whose nickname was the "Commerce Comet.” The brand’s light blue and red colors and logo, with a baseball shooting through the sky
Oklahoma City Comets FAQ
How was the new Oklahoma City Comets name and brand developed? Previously, the Los Angeles Dodgers were part of our team ownership group until 2021. The Dodgers allowed us to continue to use their name as we transitioned to new ownership with Diamond Baseball Holdings and up to our current
James Outman Named 2024 Pacific Coast League All-Star
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Baseball Club outfielder James Outman was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team as announced by Minor League Baseball. All-Star selections were determined by voting among league managers. Outman, 27, played in 69 games with Oklahoma City while splitting time this season with the
OKC Closes Out 2024 Season with 3-1 Win in Salt Lake
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 3 Salt Lake Bees — 1 Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: Drew Avans recorded a game-high three hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, as the Oklahoma City Baseball Club defeated the Salt
OKC Celebrates 21st Night of September with Six Homers
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 13 Salt Lake Bees — 2 Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Baseball Club hit a season-high six home runs, including five within the first four innings, as OKC rolled to a 13-2 win
OKC Unable to Overcome Early Deficit
Salt Lake Bees — 6 Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 4 Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: The Salt Lake Bees scored four runs in the first inning, putting the Oklahoma City Baseball Club in too big of a hole to dig
Offense Stays Hot During 9-3 Win
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 9 Salt Lake Bees — 3 Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Baseball Club offense stayed hot and the pitching staff turned in a solid all-around performance during a 9-3 win over the Salt
Duplantier, Offense Dominates in Salt Lake
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 20 Salt Lake Bees — 6 Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: Jon Duplantier tossed six perfect innings, and the offense piled up 23 hits, including five home runs, as the Oklahoma City Baseball Club defeated the
Avans Sets Hits Record as OKC Falls in Salt Lake
Salt Lake Bees — 11 Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 1 Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 – Smith's Ballpark – Salt Lake City, Utah Game Summary: Drew Avans became the all-time hits leader in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era, but the Salt Lake Bees erupted for nine runs in the sixth inning
Outman Homers Twice in OKC's Home Season Finale Win
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 6 Tacoma Rainiers — 4 Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: James Outman hit two home runs and racked up five RBI as the Oklahoma City Baseball Club defeated the Tacoma Rainiers, 6-4, Sunday afternoon in OKC’s
OKC's Offense Breaks Out in 9-3 Win Saturday
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 9 Tacoma Rainiers — 3 Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: Dalton Rushing and Andre Lipcius homered as the Oklahoma City Baseball Club defeated the Tacoma Rainiers, 9-3, Saturday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. OKC recorded its
Avans Ties OKC Career Hits Mark; Ward Belts 30th Homer of Season in Friday Loss
Tacoma Rainiers — 10 Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 5 Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Tacoma Rainiers scored nine runs through five innings as they overcame an early deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, 10-5, Friday night at
Tacoma Rallies for 8-3 Win in OKC
Tacoma Rainiers — 8 Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 3 Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Tacoma Rainiers scored seven runs over two late innings to take the lead and send the Oklahoma City Baseball Club to an 8-3 loss Thursday
Walk-Off Win Wednesday Gives OKC 2-0 Series Lead
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 7 Tacoma Rainiers — 6 (10 innings) Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: Kody Hoese lined a RBI single into left field in the 10th inning to secure a 7-6 walk-off win for the Oklahoma City Baseball
OKC Opens Series with Walk-Off Win in 10 Innings
Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 7 Tacoma Rainiers — 6 (10 innings) Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: Drew Avans hit a walk-off RBI double in the 10th inning Tuesday night to send the Oklahoma City Baseball Club to a 7-6 win
OKC Baseball Club Opens Final Home Series of 2024 Tonight at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Baseball Club closes out the home portion of its 2024 schedule with a six-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers that features several special promotions including Bark in the Park presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka for tonight’s 6:05 p.m. game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Dogs