It is officially prospect season in the baseball world.
Baseball America has released their list of the top ten prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays system
and it is drastically different than it was a year ago at this point as a number of the Rays top prospects struggled with injuries and poor performance throughout the 2025 season leading to several former top 100 prospects plummeting down the list. However, several players had breakout years and took large leaps up the rankings.So without further ado,
the Baseball America top ten Rays prospects:
- Brody Hopkins, RHP
- Theo Gillen, OF
- Carson Williams, SS
- Tj Nichols, RHP
- Santiago Suarez, RHP
- Daniel Pierce, SS
- Brendan Summerhill, OF
- Aidan Smith, OF
- Xavier Isaac, 1B
- Nathan Flewelling, C
Brody Hopkins claims the top spot in the Rays system following a breakout campaign. It’s stunning how quickly the 23-year old has taken to the mound considering he didn’t start fully pursuing a pitching career until the spring of his draft year. The Seattle Mariners had seen enough potential in Hopkins from his limited experience to make him their 6th round pick in 2023; the Rays would then pick up Hopkins as part of the return in the Randy Arozarena trade at the 2024 deadline.
During the 2025 season, Hopkins made 25 starts and compiled a 2.72 ERA | 3.33 FIP with a 28.7 K% & 12.2 BB% over 116 innings pitched. Baseball America also says that he has the best fastball (65), curveball (70), and slider (55) in the Rays system as well as being the best athlete.
Brailer Guerrero, Brayden Taylor, and Tre’ Morgan all entered the 2025 season as top 100 prospects ranked on multiple lists but all three have drastically seen their stock fall. Aidan Smith and Xavier Isaac are clinging to the backend of the Rays top 10 following a year in which Smith didn’t excel as one would have hoped given his tools and Isaac dealt with a season ending injury in July while also struggling to hit southpaw pitching during the brief time he was on the active roster.
The Rays draft class of 2025 is well featured with Daniel Pierce at 6th and Brendan Summerhill at 7th.
Meanwhile, perhaps the most under-the-radar prospect in the Rays system, Nathan Flewelling, slots in at 10th. Flewelling just turned 19-years old in November but has already reached High-A thanks to an elite ability at getting on base. The young backstop possesses plus raw power, already reaching high exit velocities, and is a superior defensive catcher.
The Baseball America staff will be hosting a chat session later today to answer questions regarding their rankings and about the rest of the Rays system.
