As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Honorable Mentions for the Rays could practically fill a book. I aimed for five names but ended up with seven, all representing different prospect archetypes. As we continue our journey through the AL East, we arrive at the Rays, a team we’ve come to expect as perennial playoff contenders operating on a shoestring budget. But this year, things didn’t entirely fall into place for them.
There's a phrase in the math community: "Good process, bad results." That sums up the Rays this season—or at least how they likely view it internally. And honestly, they're probably right. They lost their franchise shortstop due to the horrible actions of Wander Franco. Junior Caminero didn't play an entire season, Curtis Mead never capitalized on his opportunity, and none of the supporting pieces contributed the way they expected despite what was likely a solid process of putting them in place. As a result, they became sellers, but in doing so, they pulled in one of the most impressive prospect hauls in recent memory.
The Rays are already one of the best scouting and development organizations, and at this point, when the Rays call, they just hang up. They’re the telemarketers of the league—it won’t end well for you if you engage them.
This is a robust system, and it might be the best Rays system I’ve ever covered. Without further ado, here are the Rays’ Honorable Mentions:
Owen Wild
Some other publications might try to squeeze Owen Wild onto their lists, and honestly, we wouldn't find that all that wild. He just missed our list, mainly due to the system's overall strength. Wild had a breakout campaign, and there's plenty to like about his profile.
Wild’s delivery is unique, starting with a high, over-the-top arm slot that gives his fastball that “invisiball” effect. His fastball is a legitimate weapon—featuring both strong velocity and ideal shape, combined with the deceptive nature of his release. It’s particularly tough for right-handed hitters to square up, thanks to how he hides the ball and consistently spots the pitch high in the zone. This approach allows him some margin for error with his command, as he doesn’t always need to be pinpoint accurate.
Frankly, Wild could have cracked our Top 20 list, but I preferred Dominic Keegan over him. Still, his slider is another legitimate weapon, especially when paired with his fastball, as the two pitches play off each other nicely due to his ability to change eye levels. Wild has the tools to develop into a solid back-end starter, though he may be the type who gets pulled after five innings or two trips through the order due to inefficiency.
Jeremy Pilon
The people in charge of scouting pitching for the Rays in the draft deserve a raise. Jeremy Pilon is yet another gem they’ve uncovered, and at just 19 years old, he’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting arms in the lower minors. Pilon, a Québécois talent, was initially drafted by the Blue Jays in 2022 but didn’t sign with Canada’s team. In 2023, he re-entered the draft, and the Rays snagged him in the 18th round.
Pilon’s fastball sits comfortably in the mid-90s, showing an impressive feel for spin, complemented by a better-than-expected changeup. Remarkably, when he was first drafted in 2022, he was only 16, and since then, he’s undergone and recovered from Tommy John surgery. Watching him, I was struck by his command of the fastball, which plays up from his low three-quarters arm slot. He’s the epitome of a high-upside scratch-off ticket for the Rays, possessing all the ingredients to become a valuable arm.
Although he’s still relatively unknown, Pilon made quite the impression in his four Single-A outings late in the season, racking up 13, 6, 14, and 6 swinging strikes in those appearances. Without detailed data, it’s hard to dive deeper, but considering he’s back from TJ, can dot a changeup, has a feel for a spin, and commands a solid fastball, there’s something here. He might be worth a stash in deeper leagues because he could be on the verge of a breakout by this time next year.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
