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TAMPA -- In some ways, it’s been a productive start to the Rays’ Minor League season.
With their big league outfield depth depleted by injuries, the Rays summoned a series of replacements from Triple-A Durham: first Kameron Misner, then Jake Mangum, then Chandler Simpson.
Misner got off to a promising start, highlighted by his walk-off homer on Opening Day, before falling into a slump. Mangum was a breath of fresh air, hitting for a high average and running wild on the bases before getting hurt. And Simpson (the Rays’ No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) has been showing what the hype is all about, using his speed as a weapon out of the batter’s box and on the bases.
That kind of depth has been the strength of the Rays' organization in recent years, but farm systems are often evaluated based on the performance of the guys at the top of the list, the well-known ones who generate prospect hype. So, let’s check in on the Rays’ top five prospects.
1. SS Carson Williams (Triple-A Durham)
Offensive stats: .171/.284/.343, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 8 SB
Status report: The slash line tells part of the story. It’s been a rough start to the season for Williams, who dropped to No. 24 in MLB Pipeline’s latest Top 100 update. The most alarming number is the 21-year-old’s 39.5% strikeout rate. He’s drawn his share of walks, with 21 in 162 plate appearances, but he’s being challenged by advanced pitchers who are more adept at exploiting hitters’ weaknesses.
His Gold Glove-caliber defense hasn’t been affected by his offensive issues over the first 40 games. Williams has overcome swing-and-miss issues in the Minors, and there’s no doubt he has the talent to move beyond his early-season skid and continue his ascent toward the Majors if he can refine his approach in Triple-A.
2. 1B/OF Xavier Isaac (Double-A Montgomery)
Offensive stats: .209/.414/.465, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Status report: The most relevant number here is probably 14 -- as in, the number of games Isaac has played for Double-A Montgomery. A Spring Training elbow injury kept him off the field until April 15, and he played only one game between April 30 and May 14. He’s also been limited to DH duties, with plans to resume a throwing program in a few weeks so he can get back to first base.
Despite his low average, the 21-year-old slugger has done some good things offensively, with nearly as many walks (15) as strikeouts (18) and six extra-base hits among his nine overall. Considering his rough introduction to Double-A last season, it’s a good start -- but one he needs to build on with more games.
3. INF Brayden Taylor (Double-A Montgomery)
Offensive stats: .157/.283/.296, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB
Status report: In this case, the slash line may not tell the whole story. Taylor has been one of the unluckiest hitters in the organization, with a .192 batting average on balls in play to back it up. The 22-year-old had a great spring in Rays camp, and some of his underlying numbers suggest there are better days ahead. He’s walking plenty (15.2% walk rate), striking out less (26.1% rate, compared to 27.8% in 2024) and showing some power. Defensively, his focus will be on third base and second base, although he’s also started five games at shortstop.
4. 1B/OF Tre' Morgan (Triple-A Durham)
Offensive stats: .272/.410/.333, 0 HR, 11 RBI
Status report: Morgan got off to a late start due to a quad injury he sustained in Spring Training and didn’t join Durham until April 15, so he’s only totaled 100 plate appearances over 23 games. But he’s been a bright spot for the Rays, making highlight-reel plays at first base and in left field. He’s not yet matching the power he showed during his breakout 2024, but he’s hitting for average, walking at a 16% clip and generally having good at-bats. The positional versatility will only help his case whenever the Rays give him a shot in the Majors.
5. OF Theo Gillen (Single-A Charleston)
Offensive stats: .255/.433/.451, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 10 SB
Status report: Despite his first full season being delayed by a calf injury, last year’s first-round pick (18th overall) has made a strong impression in his first 16 games. Club staff reports that he looks more confident, athletic and explosive than last year, with a better understanding of himself and what he needs to do in the professional ranks. It helps that he’s walking nearly as often as he’s striking out (16 to 19), and the 19-year-old is playing the outfield with more polish than you’d expect from a high school middle infielder.
Senior Reporter Adam Berry covers the Rays for MLB.com and covered the Pirates from 2015-21.