Franco (Princeton 2018) tops Rays' deep prospect pool
Plain and simple, all Tampa Bay's system did in 2019 was win, win, win. So much so that the organization earned the nod as MiLB.com's Farm System of the Year.
Plain and simple, all Tampa Bay's system did in 2019 was win, win, win. So much so that the organization earned the nod as MiLB.com's Farm System of the Year.
The Rays' domestic affiliates combined for a .573 winning percentage. Every squad that could qualify for the playoffs -- the Florida State League and Gulf Coast League playoffs were suspended due to Hurricane Dorian -- did. Triple-A Durham made it to the Governors' Cup Finals, while Double-A Montgomery and Class A Short Season Hudson Valley exited in their respective semifinals. Class A Bowling Green was ousted in its opening round.
Rays Organization All-Stars
Catcher --
"We've tried conversions in the past and it is a difficult journey, but he really took to it," said recently appointed Tampa Bay director of Minor League operations Jeff McLerran. "And just making the switch from infielder to backstop, you really don't know how the tools are going to play or how the body is going to hold up. And he was a guy that actually got healthier and stayed stronger, and a lot of his at-bats played better as well. I think it made him more in tune with what pitchers were doing and helped his education and made him a better overall player."
Shortstop --
"Wander has skills that are well beyond his years," McLerran said. "A lot of young prospects, you know, we talk about tools and physical ability and he has all of that, but the way he's able to put it into action is just a much more mature approach than typical guys at that stage. Still, obviously, some things to work on. He is still 18. And that's all going to be part of the development process. But it's an incredibly exciting package in the way he uses it."
Outfielders
"Brett is another guy that can bounce around the field," McLerran said. "But really anything that can get his bat in the lineup. Another guy with good bat-to-ball skill, and he started to show some power this year. And that obviously opens up a few more avenues for him. Being able to move around is something that we value as an organization, and both he and Miles really took to that especially."
"He is a guy who has been young for his level all the way through and has had to take on some challenges that other guys his age or in his Draft class haven't, and he's really been able to pass those tests with flying colors," McLerran said. "I think we're really excited with the way he's continued to develop as a defensive outfielder, and we feel he has a lot of exciting tools and skills at the plate. The power really started to come through as well, but he has a swing that naturally leads to some power, so we think that will continue."
Honorable mention,