Previous winner
Daniel Pierce, S.S.
19 | R/R | 6’0″ | 185
The 14th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Pierce is a supernatural defender at shortstop, with a high-flying glove that could compete with any player in the organization. Early reports indicate that he has already started to build muscle as a professional, which is helpful for his projection in attack. His strike tool carries, with a swing similar to that of Bobby Witt Jr. – out of the draft, he received comps from a “faster Dansby Swanson.” The son of a coach, he has a good face and should get the starting role in the Holy City and be given enough time to become or above his projection of an above average regular.
|
Rank |
Player |
Position |
Votes |
Total |
Percentage |
Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Carson Williams |
SS |
14 |
25 |
56% |
1 |
|
2 |
Brody Hopkins |
RHP |
19 |
25 |
76% |
8 |
|
3 |
Jacob Melton |
OF |
14 |
28 |
50% |
N / A |
|
4 |
Theo Gillen |
OF |
14 |
26 |
54% |
13 |
|
5 |
Ty Johnson |
RHP |
12 |
25 |
48% |
15 |
|
6 |
Daniel Pierce |
SS |
13 |
23 |
57% |
N / A |
We were back to the majority consensus with the top 2025 draft selection placing him at No. 6 overall. The Rays organization now has several top draft picks from last season, thanks to various trades, and I’m curious to see if Pierce’s appointment leads to a race against recent rookies. Additionally, in honor of Danny Pierce’s nomination, please enjoy this mic video taken earlier in the offseason:
Candidates
Jadher Areinamo, INF
22 | R/R | 5’8″ | 160
A+ (MIL) | .255/.316/.397 (126 wRC+) 415 PA, 11 HR, 15 SB, 8.2% BB, 11.6% K
AA (TB) | .255/.316/.697 (111 wRC+) 159 PA, 4 HR, 6 SB, 7.5% BB, 11.9% K
FRI | .364/.420/.692 162 PA, 13 HR, 5 SB, 8.6% BB, 12.3% K
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Acquired in exchange for Danny Jansen at the 2025 trade deadline, Arienamo was promoted straight to Double-A by the Rays, and his success at that level continued in the Venezuelan Winter League, where his 1.112 OPS and 13 HR were each the second-highest marks in the league. He is considered to have a high baseball IQ, strong motor skills, excellent bat control and defensive flexibility, which could earn him an entertaining major league debut.
Caden Bodine, C.
22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200
ONE (BALL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to near-70-level ball-striking skills and comfortable blocking and catching behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to marginal power, but those concerns are offset by solid plate discipline on both sides of the plate; his smoothest swing is left-handed. All captivating prospects will see their value proposition change with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.
Anderson Brito, RHP
21 | 5’10” | 155
A+ (HOU) | 3.28 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 49.1 IP (12 GS), 31.1% K, 13.4% BB
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Acquired in the trade of Brandon LoweBrito has three-plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider that he masters best. He also blends a developing 90s cutter and a scattered but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong speed and move separation, with added deception from his smaller frame helping to limit hard contact. The problem is control, as he’s posted below-average strikeout rates in A-ball over the 2024-25 period and lacks consistent feel off the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever at the moment. Yet with several positive throws, improved durability, and significant command gains, he has a mid-rotation starter advantage, giving him perhaps the widest range of results on this list.
Slater de Brun, OF
18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, thanks to a pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially bought out in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects, he isn’t expected to develop much power, but he makes up for it with an ability to hit to all fields and benefits from years to develop. His hitting tool is more efficient thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double plus speed elevates both his basestroke and center reach; he has a strong arm and can hold up for the long haul. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Although he has yet to play in a professional game, he is a good bet to skip the complex league and make his Charleston debut this season.
Michael Forret, RHP
22 | 6’3″ | 190
A+ (BAL) | 1.51 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 59.2 IP (16 G, 15 GS), 33.5% K, 7.5% BB
AA (BAL) | 1.88 ERA, 2.03 FIP, 14.1 IP (3 GS), 15 K, 3 BB
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A product of State College of Florida Manatee–Sarasota (formerly Manatee Junior College), Forret was a well-above ($450,000) 14th-round draft pick in 2023 and arrives via the Shane Baz trade. Although he missed time with a back injury in 2025, his lineup of fastballs and breaking balls already looks ready for the big leagues. He seems apt to try new things, as he got a whiff-worthy kicking change in 2024 and is already tinkering with a Rays-type sweeper, both as part of his offseason program at Tread Athletics. He has a low launch point (under 6 feet) but a fastball that rises and has – to quote Eric Longenhagen – a “sensational feel.” He pitches with efficiency and variety, and could climb the ranks quickly in 2026.
Xavier Isaac, 1B
22 | L/L | 6’3″ | 240
AA | .201/.366/.446 (144 wRC+) 175 PA, 9 HR, 1 SB, 19.4% BB, 29.7% K
Isaac had his season cut short largely due to the discovery of a brain tumor, disrupting an otherwise excellent start to the season that duplicated his cup of coffee in Double-A at age 20, despite some minor arm injuries along the way. He has the best power projection in the system, and if he can hold up for a full season in 2026 — especially against lefties, which is somewhat concerning — the former first-round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the top of the Rays prospect rankings.
Tre’Morgan, 1B/LF
23 | L/L | 6’0″ | 215
AAA | .274/.398/.412 (119 wRC+) 402 PA, 8 HR, 8 SB, 15.9% BB, 19.2% K
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Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a big turnoff for some evaluators, but his current 50 hit tool and zone feel allows for projection to the major leagues. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025, which built on his success revamping his AFL swing last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in left field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at leadoff.
TJ Nichols, RHP
24 | 6’5″ | 190
A+ | 3.63 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 96.2 IP (19 G, 18 GS), 30.4% K, 5.4% BB
AA | 0.97 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 37.0 IP (6 GS), 28.0% K, 6.8% BB
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Nichols entered the Rays organization with low mileage and control issues, a match made in developmental heaven. Fast forward to 2025, and his 68% slugging percentage ranks 10th among all minor league pitchers with 100 innings, according to Baseball America. His breaking ball is a big fish in a small pond thanks to his two-plane movement. In my eyes, he has a mid-90s dead zone type fastball with easy, over-the-top heat and a classic but inconsistent changeup. For all his control gains, it’s his command that might hold him back, but he fills the zone and might be able to eat up innings, which is enough for a back-end starter. If you buy stocks, it’s Kimberly-Clark.
Santiago Suarez, RHP
21 | 6’2” | ?
A+ | 2.88 ERA, 2.07 FIP, 40.2 IP (10 GS), 26.9% K, 3.6% BB
AAA | 5 ER (9 H, 2 BB, 3 HR) 11.0 IP (2 GS), 9 K
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Suarez worked his way up to Triple-A to finish a short season as some triceps/shoulder issues hampered his 2025, but when he was called up, this Venezuelan strike pitcher earned the trust of his managers to go out there and pitch. He has a plus two fastball, with easy heat but average drive on all 4 seams, and a hard cutter with a tight bite. His only complementary pitch so far is a 12-6 curveball, making it quite a vertical arsenal. He gets good extension, although I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the double pump in his plant leg which at first glance looks like noise, but led to obvious repeatability. What Suarez boasts of controlling, he might lack control. Right now it’s a supinator profile with a medium arm slot. To progress, he either needs to add some east-west depth to his arsenal (a la Chris Bassitt) or find ways to unlock turnover rates a bit more (Shane Baz). I would expect him to fit into Montgomery’s rotation as one of the youngest starters at his level.
Brendan Summerhill, OF
22 | L/R | 6’3″ | 200
A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
After an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod Summer League, Summerhill showed some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand after hitting a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant save in Charleston to end the year. Summerhill has positive barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach to his long swing. He also has superior speed, which gives him a chance to stay in the center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, this is an above-average projection for contributors.
