The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the most exciting teams in baseball and when they’re at their best, the on field action cannot be matched as they hit for power, constantly put the ball in play, and are always a threat to swipe a base.
As the 2026 season comes to a close, the Rays are likely to lead the league in batting average and stolen bases. The team’s 18.6 K% entering play on Friday is also the lowest in the game. So if you like old school hitting for contact and moving the runner, this is your
team.
Meanwhile the Rays pitching has the 8th lowest ERA, the 4th lowest opponent average, the lowest BB% and lowest WHIP of any staff in baseball.
They are an elite squad that has been overlooked and belittled for the majority of the season despite having the best record in the American League. As early as July, the Rays had nearly a 100% chance of making the playoffs and entering play on Friday, the Rays have spent 131 days in possession of the top spot in the American League East.
With the ALDS around the corner, we know there are going to be baseball fans watching this team for the first time and as always, asking “who are these guys?” So here’s an overview of our starting position players for anyone just joining our bandwagon.
Yandy Diaz
The stalwart veteran of the Rays who is an elite hitter. Since the start of the 2020 season, Diaz has been among the best hitters in all of baseball. The 2023 AL batting champion just turned in 35 in August be that hasn’t slowed down his production. Over most of the 2026 campaign, Diaz has hit over .300 while launching over 20 HR for the 3rd time in his career.
Jonathan Aranda
Throughout his minor league career, Aranda was an excellent hitter. Once given an opportunity in the big leagues, Aranda proved his tools would translate. Since August 31, 2024 through the end of play on Thursday, September 24th, Aranda has the 11th best wRC+ thanks to an excellent blend of contact/power along with a solid ability to get on base.
Junior Caminero
There has never been a player like Junior Caminero in the Rays nearly three decades of history. Everyone knew Caminero would launch a significant number of homeruns but the advances he has with plate discipline and on defense have made him a true MVP candidate. The young slugger managed to almost double his walk rate in 2026 while also lowering his K% all while nearly replicating his slugging percentage and homerun totals from 2025. After two full years in the big leagues, Caminero has 9.8 fWAR and 86 HR despite having just turned 23 in July.
Liam Hicks
It’s been a whirlwind of a career for Hicks. He was originally drafted by the Rangers as a 9th round draft pick and given a lowly bonus to allow them to save towards their bonus pool. However, he has qualities that scouts adored and after he was traded to the Tigers, the Marlins took him in the Rule 5 draft in 2024. It quickly became apparent that Hicks had the skills to be an everyday player thanks to his power potential and elite contact ability. The Rays would trade for the backstop at the 2026 trade deadline and the early returns have been excellent.
Chandler Simpson
Perhaps the most fascinating player in baseball. For pitchers, there is a cliche that you could know what they’re going to throw and still not be able to hit. For Chandler, you could know he is going to drop a bunt down the third base line and still not be able to throw him out. Simpson won a batting title in college, and then a minor league batting title in 2024 and now he has the chance to win a batting title at the big league level, despite having 0 career homeruns. It’s all thanks to 90-grade speed and 80-grade contact ability that opposing defenses are completely flustered by.
Victor Mesa Jr
Overshadowed by his brother during international signings, Mesa Jr has proven himself to be a plus defender and has developed suprising pop. This newfound power along with elite defense has made Mesa Jr one of the breakout players of the 2026 Rays. Despite spending several weeks on the Injured List, Mesa Jr has managed to produce 2.4 fWAR with 14 HR over just 76 games played.
Richie Palacios
Perhaps the most under-the-radar season for the Rays in 2026 belongs to Palacios. Since the start of the 2023 season, Palacios has a 105 wRC+ with a solid contract oriented approach at the plate. The 29-year old second baseman appeared on his way to a breakout in 2025 before injuries ended his season after just 48 plate appearances. Over the 2026 season, Palacios has proven himself to be an integral part of the Rays roster.
Cedric Mullins
Cedric Mullins might be the most recognizable name on the Rays roster for most fans. There were times during his tenure in Baltimore that he performed like one of the best players in the game. However, Mullins could never quite capture the magic that made him a star during his 2021 season in which he put up 6.1 fWAR. Regardless, over the past several years, Mullins has been a solid player. Mullins has flashed power in 2026 while providing above average defense in center field but perhaps the most vital contribution he has made to the team has been his veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Taylor Walls
2026 could finally be the season that Taylor Walls wins a Gold Glove award. The switch-hitting shortstop has long been overlooked as one of the top defensive talents in the game but whenever he isn’t manning the infield for the Rays, his defense is sorely missed. Entering play on Friday, Walls leads all shortstop in Defensive Runs Saved. Since the start of the 2018 season, Walls leads all shortstops in Defensive Runs saved which is made even more impressive considering he didn’t make his MLB debut until 2021.
Nick Fortes
The Rays nabbed Fortes at the 2025 trade deadline when they retooled their situation behind the plate and he served as the Rays primary catcher until the aforementioned Liam Hicks acquisition. The Rays in 2026 have the 9th highest fWAR from their catchers in baseball and Nick Fortes is a large reason for that. The Rays primary catcher for most of the season, Fortes does his duty with solid defense and close to league average offensive production.
Ben Williamson
A defensive star who can feature in highlight reel plays daily. Williamson may end up winning several Gold Gloves in the future if his offense can pave the way to everyday playing time. However, Williamson has settled into a platoon role with the Rays and often comes off the bench when needed.
Jonny DeLuca
Part of the return in the Tyler Glasnow trade with the Dodgers, DeLuca has shown that when fully healthy, he could be an impact player. However, he has yet to play a full season in the big leagues. He endured a month long stint on the IL earlier this campaign. Regardless, he has posted a 2 fWAR season thanks to league average offense and elite defense evidenced by 97th percentile OAA and 7 DRS.
Ryan Vilade
A former 2nd round draft pick, Ryan Vilade just could not receive a prolonged opportunity in the big leagues. From 2021 through 2025, he had played for four MLB teams and only received 71 PA. The Rays claimed him last November as they liked his versatility and ability to hit against left-handed pitching. They have employed those skills to their great advantage in 2026 and Vilade has rewarded them with a 128 wRC+ against LHP this season, second on the team to Junior Caminero.
