Past Winner
Anderson Brito, Right-Handed Pitcher
Age 21 | 5’10” | 155 lbs
Level: A+ (Houston) | ERA: 3.28 | FIP: 2.91 | Innings Pitched: 49.1 (12 starts) | Strikeout Rate: 31.1% | Walk Rate: 13.4%
National Team: Australia | 11.1 IP, 6 Hits, 7 Walks, 22 Strikeouts
Obtained through the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito features a plus-3 fastball with cutting ride that reaches 100 mph, alongside a mid-80s curveball with impressive depth and a slider in the mid-80s. He supplements his arsenal with a developing cutter in the low 90s and a mid-80s changeup that shows good velocity and deception, aided by his smaller stature to reduce hard contact. His primary issue is control, making him a potentially erratic but high-leverage reliever for now. Despite inconsistencies outside his slider and a below-average strikeout rate in lower minors during 2024-2025, Brito’s multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and command growth hint at mid-rotation starter potential, carrying the broadest range of outcomes among his peers. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having “the body of Shohei Ohtani in the body of Johnny Cueto.”
Prospect Rankings
| Rank | Player | Position | Votes | Total Points | Percentage | Last Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carson Williams | SS | 14 | 25 | 56% | 1 |
| 2 | Brody Hopkins | RHP | 19 | 25 | 76% | 8 |
| 3 | Jacob Melton | OF | 14 | 28 | 50% | N/A |
| 4 | Theo Guillen | OF | 14 | 26 | 54% | 13 |
| 5 | Ty Johnson | RHP | 12 | 25 | 48% | 15 |
| 6 | Daniel Pierce | SS | 13 | 23 | 57% | N/A |
| 7 | Jadar Alenamo | INF | 15 | 28 | 54% | N/A |
| 8 | TJ Nichols | RHP | 13 | 28 | 46% | No/No |
| 9 | Michael Follett | RHP | 8 | 33 | 24% | That |
| 10 | Santiago Suarez | RHP | 11 | 30 | 37% | 16 |
| 11 | Anderson Brito | RHP | 7 | 28 | 25% | N/A |
Brito is arguably a top-five talent based purely on skill, yet he ranks 11th due to the unpredictability of his performance. The voting was tight, with four players receiving at least five votes. Brito narrowly surpassed “X-man,” recently invited to spring training, by a single vote. Notably, he has consistently received votes dating back to the first poll.
Candidate Highlights
Kayden Bodine, Catcher
Age 22 | Switch Hitter/Right Thrower | 5’10” | 200 lbs
Level: A (Baltimore) | Stats: .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) in 49 plate appearances, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Bodine, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 draft, was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He offers a reliable profile with 60-grade hitting and defensive skills, demonstrating solid blocking and receiving. While his smaller frame raises doubts about future power, his disciplined plate approach counters those concerns. His swing from the left side is smooth and refined. Defensively, his leadership and catching skills give him clear value, especially as positional demands evolve with the challenge system. He is projected as a dependable major league contributor.
Slater de Blanc, Outfielder
Age 18 | Left-Handed | 5’10” | 187 lbs
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, and reacquired via the Shane Baz deal, de Blanc doesn’t project for much power, common for Rays’ outfield prospects, but compensates with all-fields hitting ability and years of solid development. His quick, compact swing boosts contact rates, while his speed benefits both baserunning and defensive range. He also has a strong arm and is expected to remain a viable long-term option. Improving pitch selection will be pivotal for him to unlock more power. Though yet to debut professionally, he may skip the lower levels and jump straight to Charleston this season.
Homer Bush Jr., Center Fielder
Age 24 | Right-Handed | 6’3” | 215 lbs
Level: AA | Stats: .301/.375/.360 (122 wRC+), 57 stolen bases in 546 plate appearances
Acquired in the 2024 Jason Adam trade, Bush barely qualified as a senior prospect. Despite limited power due to inefficient lower-body use in his swing and a contact approach with low power, he excels with elite defense and speed, pothting 57 stolen bases in consecutive years.
Nathan Flewelling, Catcher
Age 19 | Left/Right | 6’2” | 200 lbs
Level: A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% K
A+ Stats: 22 PA, 4H, 5 BB, 6 K
Flewelling, 94th pick overall in 2024, debuted at 18 and played a full season while also making brief A+ appearances. He has the potential for 50-60 grade power and 50-grade defense over time, making him a player to watch closely. His impressive plate discipline counters middling contact skills, and his catching ability — both pitch framing and game calling — is already above average. Strong High-A performance could elevate him into the top 100 prospects.
Trevor Harrison, Right-Handed Pitcher
Age 20 | 6’4” | 225 lbs
Level: A | ERA 2.61, FIP 3.26, 82.2 IP (17 starts), K 22.4%, BB 10.7%
Level: A+ | ERA 3.33, FIP 4.26, 24.1 IP (5 starts), K 23.8%, BB 12.4%
Once the top pitching prospect per Baseball America, Harrison began the season strong with command of clean pitches and fiery velocity. He faced challenges handling a higher pitch count but logged over 100 innings in total. His hard slider borders on cutter territory and shows potential to develop into multiple pitch types. Monitoring his changeup as he advances will be critical, though he currently serves as a rotation anchor with premium tools.
Xavier Isaac, First Baseman
Age 22 | Left/Left | 6’3” | 240 lbs
Level: AA | .201/.366/.446 (144 wRC+), 9 HR, 1 SB, 19.4% BB, 29.7% K
Isaac’s season was prematurely ended by a brain tumor diagnosis and an arm injury, halting what was an impressive start to the year at age 20. He boasts the best power outlook in the system and, if healthy, could reclaim high rankings among Rays prospects. A key focus will be improving his performance against left-handed pitching.
Tre Morgan, First Base/Left Field
Age 23 | Left/Left | 6’0” | 215 lbs
Level: AAA | .274/.398/.412 (119 wRC+), 8 HR, 8 SB, 15.9% BB, 19.2% K
Morgan’s performance in 2025 has been somewhat underwhelming but he retains a 50-grade hit tool and plate discipline that keep him in the major league conversation. Improved two-strike approach continues to develop after offseason adjustments. Although he made starts in left field, his defensive value primarily comes from first base.
Aidan Smith, Outfielder
Age 21 | Right/Right | 6’2” | 190 lbs
Level: A+ | .237/.331/.388 (114 wRC+), 14 HR, 41 SB, 11.5% BB, 31.2% K
Smith, acquired in the Randy Arozarena trade, was once highly touted as a five-tool player. However, his 2025 season showed regression: increased strikeouts, decreased power against higher-velocity pitching, and diminished hitting grades. He now projects more as a defense-first center fielder. Evaluators caution that if his contact issues persist, he may fail to fulfill his potential.
Brendan Summerhill, Outfielder
Age 22 | Left/Right | 6’3” | 200 lbs
Level: A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+), 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
Summerhill, an All-Star in the Cape Cod League and a junior at the University of Arizona, overcame a broken hand injury prior to the draft and still went 42nd overall. Known for elite barrel control and contact skills, he combines speed and high contact rates. Though his power remains a question, he’s considered an above-average prospect with considerable upside.
Jose Urbina, Right-Handed Pitcher
Age 20 | 6’3” | 180 lbs
Level: A | ERA 2.05, FIP 3.58, 92.1 IP (19 starts), K 26.4%, BB 8.2%
A+ | 4 IP, 5 K, 0 BB, 2 ER (2 HR)
Urbina is a young pitcher who has steadily improved, physically and technically, showing 96 mph on his fastball and refining a slider and two-plane curveball. While command of secondary pitches remains a work in progress, his ability to start games at just 19 years old bodes well for his future. His blend of size, youth, and skill could soon land him among the top prospects.
Fan Take
This comprehensive outlook on rising prospects gives baseball fans an exciting glimpse into the sport’s future stars. Players like Brito, Bodine, and Harrison, each with unique strengths and developmental arcs, signify the dynamism and unpredictability that keep the sport thrilling, showing how talent, health, and adaptability will shape the next era of baseball.
