Rays top prospect Gillen promoted to Double-A

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays’ top prospect is ready for a new challenge.

Outfielder Theo Gillen, Tampa Bay’s No. 1 prospect and No. 40 overall according to MLB Pipeline, was informed that he is being promoted from High-A Bowling Green to Double-A Montgomery. The 20-year-old center fielder got the news after Bowling Green’s 7-2 win over Asheville on Sunday.

Selected by the Rays in the first round of the 2024 Draft, Gillen earned the promotion with his dominant performance for Bowling Green. In 57 games at the High-A level, Gillen was slashing .342/.449/.589 with 12 homers, 12 doubles, 44 RBIs and 28 steals.

Gillen led the South Atlantic League in batting average and ranked second in stolen bases, runs (53) and OPS (1.038). He left little doubt about his readiness for a promotion by hitting .406 with a 1.103 OPS in 17 games this month.

He saved one of the best examples of his skill-set for last, or close to it, picking up three hits with three RBIs and three steals as his dominant Bowling Green squad (49-19) rolled to a 14-1 win on Saturday.

In addition to his all-around offensive excellence, Gillen -- a high school infielder -- has taken significant strides to become an above-average defensive center fielder.

While No. 26 prospect Austin Overn is working his way back from the injured list for Montgomery, Gillen will serve as the Biscuits’ primary center fielder. That will allow No. 11 prospect Aidan Smith -- an excellent defensive outfielder -- to get more work in center for Bowling Green.