Rays' Gray locked in at the plate, and '26 No. 2 overall pick Emerson has joined him there
This browser does not support the video element.
Right now, the baseball must look like a beach ball to Taitn Gray.
The Rays' No. 6 prospect is 15-for-30 over his past eight Single-A games after going 3-for-5 with three RBIs in Charleston’s 5-3 win over Columbia on Wednesday at Segra Park.
“You could take out all the results and I’d still be pretty happy," Gray said. "I’ve really honed in on my plan every single day and on every single pitch."
Despite being sidelined for nearly two months after undergoing elbow surgery in late May, Gray hasn’t skipped a beat since coming off the IL. After five rehab games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, he made his way back into the Charleston lineup on July 29. And since then, Gray has hit .337 with 17 RBIs.
“Since I have been back from the injured list, I’ve really bought into the mental side of things," he said. "Just having confidence in my preparation and what I do in the cages. Since I am just DH-ing for the rest of the season, I'm learning how to move on from every at-bat and do it the right way."
Facing right-hander Michael Lombardi (KC No. 13) in the top of the first on Wednesday, the 19-year-old switch-hitter laced a 2-1 fastball into center field for an RBI single.
With runners on second and third and two away in the second, Gray grounded a 2-2 fastball into center for a two-run single, giving him 47 RBIs with Charleston and 52 for the season.
In his first full pro season, Gray has been exceptional when hitting with runners in scoring position, slashing .361/.448/.518.
After striking out in the fifth, he came to the plate from the right side in the seventh, and won a seven-pitch battle against left-hander Justin LeGuernic (Royals). He grounded a single into left for his sixth Single-A game with three or more hits.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Although most of his at-bats in the second half have come from the left side, Gray prides himself on being a dangerous hitter from both sides of the dish.
“Up until I got to pro ball, I swung from both sides evenly, but as you play every day you realize that isn’t super sustainable," he said. "Now I swing a lot based on matchups.”
Since Gray's return to the RiverDogs, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's Draft has joined the fray. Grady Emerson (TB No. 1/MLB No. 10) had his best pro game yet on Wednesday, with three hits -- including his first extra-base knock, a triple -- a walk and a run scored.
This browser does not support the video element.
“Grady is awesome," Gray said. "Everyone on the team is rooting for him, and he’s really stepped up and made the most of every opportunity. Everyone loves him, he’s a great kid.”
Selected in the third round in 2025, Gray also sports several above-average tools, with the headliner being 60-grade power from both sides of the plate. The first baseman ran exit velocities up to 115 mph during his time in the bridge league last season.
And the power? Well, it's always been there. During a high school batting practice session, Gray swatted a 500-foot homer that cratered in his friend's car window.
“That's a funny story," he laughed. "I’m not gonna say the wind wasn’t blowing out a little bit that day, but I hit it good. As for the window, he never held me to [paying for] it."