Here are the Rays' Day 1 Draft picks. Here's how to follow Day 2

Day 1 of the 2025 Draft included the Rays' picks from Rounds 1-4, including Grady Emerson at No. 2 overall. Day 2 begins Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET through the conclusion of the Draft, spanning Rounds 5-20. Stream it live on MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+ and the MLB App.

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays returned to a familiar formula on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft.

Last year, they used four of their first five picks to select players out of the high school ranks. The early returns on that class are looking good, as shortstop Daniel Pierce, infielder Cooper Flemming, second baseman/outfielder Dean Moss and first baseman Taitn Gray are all ranked among Tampa Bay’s Top 30 Prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Two years ago, the Rays drafted top prospect Theo Gillen (No. 9 overall) right out of high school.

Those prospects could have company soon, as the Rays used four of their first five picks Saturday on projectable, high-upside high school players.

They led off the Draft by taking shortstop Grady Emerson -- MLB Pipeline’s top-ranked Draft prospect -- then continued the prep-heavy trend with infielder Taj Marchand (No. 33 pick), right-hander Gavin Giese (No. 85) and outfielder/first baseman Collin Bland (No. 113), with college right-hander Ben Blair (No. 49) in the middle.

Amateur scouting director Chuck Ricci said there wasn’t a premeditated plan to lean so heavily toward high school picks. But it’s hard to ignore the success the Rays have had lately developing similar players, especially when they take such a collaborative approach to the Draft, incorporating opinions from all over the organization.

“I think it's the way the board fell,” Ricci said Saturday night. “Of late, I think the four high school kids we took last year, we're happy with. Obviously, Theo is going really well. I don't think that really factors in, but I think as these players really perform, you realize there's some upside. And you also have a lot of confidence in your player development, that they have the ability to tap into these guys and get the most out of them.”

More on Rays' 2026 Draft:

• Rays select top-ranked Draft prospect Emerson with No. 2 overall pick
• Rays Draft tracker

Here’s a look at the four players the Rays selected after Emerson on Draft Day 1, which Ricci called “probably the most rewarding day I've had in scouting.”

Taj Marchand, SS

• Competitive Balance Round A, Pick 33
• Bats/throws: R/R
• School: James Island (S.C.) HS
• Top Trait: An impressive all-around athlete with excellent hand-eye coordination, the 17-year-old Marchand has a quick right-handed swing with developing strength that could turn into 25-homer power. He hit .531 and only struck out four times (while drawing 31 walks) in 96 at-bats during his senior season, which gives some indication of how much quality contact he makes at the plate. He’ll likely move around the infield, Ricci said, but the No. 37 Draft prospect’s bat should play anywhere.
• Quote: “I think he's got the rare ingredients of (a) contact bat, bat speed and impact. A lot of amateur contact bats don't impact the ball like Taj does. … We think he’s got every chance to be a quality infielder with a real chance to have a plus offensive package.” --Ricci

Ben Blair, RHP

• Round 2, Pick 49
• Bats/throws: R/R
• School: Liberty University
• Top Trait: Watch some video of Blair pitching, and you’ll see why this seems like a classic Rays pick. The 6-foot-3 righty throws from a unique, low-three-quarter arm slot with a low release point and a lot of carry on his fastball. The former infielder only really took up pitching late in his high school career, but he has proven to be a consistent strike-thrower with a varied arsenal. Even as a college selection, his athleticism and limited experience give MLB Pipeline’s No. 58 Draft prospect plenty of untapped potential.
• Quote: “Really a power arsenal from a very unique slot. He's got the ability to shape multiple breaking balls. Had a really good year. Extremely athletic. Very good mover on the mound that still has a lot of projection left to his body.” –Ricci

Gavin Giese, RHP

• Round 3, Pick 85
• Bats/throws: R/R
• School: Dana Hills (Calif.) HS
• Top Trait: The No. 122 Draft prospect has an impressive combination of size, stuff and physical projection, with the bonus of coming from a baseball family. (His father, Dan, spent parts of three seasons with the Giants, Yankees and A’s before going into scouting.) The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander is already throwing a 93-94 mph fastball, which plays up because of its high spin, and it’s possible he’ll add more velocity as he fills out his frame.
• Quote: "He's kind of that traditional projection high school starter. I think our player development people really approved this one, and our scout, Jaime Jones, was kind of one of the first ones on this guy. … I really think this one has a chance to be an ideal fit with our player development system.” --Ricci

Collin Bland, OF

• Round 4, Pick 113
• Bats/throws: L/R
• School: Houston (Tenn.) HS
• Top Trait: The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Bland possesses some of the best raw power in this year’s high school class, which helped him hit .432/.665/.811 during his senior season. He has a quick and aggressive left-handed swing with incredible raw power, making him a prospect to watch in the batter’s box (and during batting practice). There are some questions about the rest of his game, including his defensive home -- he’ll get looks in the corner-outfield spots and first base -- and how much his raw power will translate at the next level.
• Quote: "We had him at the workout here at the Trop, and … he was hitting balls where not too many big leaguers go. It was super, super impressive. … The most exciting part of it is I think he's a hitter first with big power. Most of the guys that have this kind of power don't have that hit tool.” --Ricci