RBLR Rays Roundtable #28 – Early Returns and Roster Churn
This week, our writers checked-in on some of the new guys in the organization, both domestically and abroad. They also looked at what the major league position player group could look like heading into 2026.
Jacob Macauley (@raysfarmreport) : First impressions from the 2025 draft class
In this week’s piece, I will be going over some of the Rays recently assigned drafted bats (Brendan Summerhill and James Quinn-Irons) and the skills they possess. Both players are off to very strong organizational debuts in Charleston through their first few games.
Brendan Summerhill OF CB-A Pick 42
Summerhill is flashing his plus plate skills in Low A Charleston, already walking as much as he is striking (14.3%), and running ~85th percentile contact (84%). His productivity up to this point has been outstanding, as well as he is slashing: .333/.429/.467, which is good for a 163 wRC+ at the time of writing this. Brendan is also showing off his plus speed, going 5/6 in stolen base opportunities. His plate skills, complemented by his average raw power, make him a very intriguing player to track for years to come.
James Quinn-Irons OF, Round 5 Pick 147
Quinn-Irons hasn’t been able to show his plus power thus far in A Charleston (0 XBH), but his .315 ISO last season at George Mason suggests that it’ll eventually come. The productivity is still there with a 116 wRC+ in his first 30 plate appearances this season. His contact rates up to this point are pretty good, but it is a very small sample (81.3% contact rate ~75th percentile). Quinn-Irons has swiped a pair of bags already and projects to be an average defender on the corners. With his power and a potentially average or better hit too, James Quinn-Irons might be a special player.
Jake Shutters (@JakeShutters) : Roster churn
The Rays could look a lot different come next season. After back to back underwhelming seasons, it may be time for the Rays to make some tough decisions and have some roster shuffle, especially in the position player group.
I believe the following position players are foundational and will be on the team no matter what next year: Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda, Carson Williams, and Chandler Simpson. The Rays obviously won’t part ways with these four this offseason and likely have large plans for them in the future. Jonny DeLuca could play his way into the group, but needs to stay on the field. The rest, however, are tricky.
Ha-Seong Kim has a player option, and the Rays could try to find someone to take on that salary if he accepts it. Brandon Lowe has a club option, and both him and Yandy Diaz have had rumors around them for the past few years – this could finally be the offseason where they move-on from one or both of them. Richie Palacios is quality depth, but the Rays always churn depth pieces. Taylor Walls has guaranteed money next year, but may not have a spot depending on the other SS in the group. Even Josh Lowe could potentially be dealt as he gets more expensive.
The rest, I would say, are expendable. Guys like Everson Pereira and Christopher Morel will be out of minor league options next year (Morel already is) and haven’t proved much in a Rays uniform. Tristan Gray, Jake Mangum, and Bob Seymour are fun, but are likely to be replaced by injury returns and veterans next year. The catchers? The Rays flipped their catcher group at the deadline, no guarantee they don’t do it again (Feduccia will likely return next year, however). It’s very likely we see a completely different position player group next year, and it could be for the better.
Dustin Teuton (u/FLBoy19) : DSL wrap-up
International free agents offer some of the highest upside among prospects, but they are also the biggest gamble. Signed as teenagers, much of their evaluation relies on projection. The Rays didn’t devote their bonus pool to one headliner, instead spreading money across multiple signings. With the Dominican Summer League season over, here’s a look at a few standouts.
Maykel Coret was the top signing at $1.6 million. Seen as a potential five-tool center fielder, his defense grades projects as above average with a change to stick in centerfield, along with plus speed and raw power (104 mph max EV at 17). In the DSL he posted a 113 wRC+ with a .273/.394/.370 slash, 12.8 BB%, 22.3 K%, 2 HRs, and 15 steals. His debut was adequate enough for Coret to likely spend 2026 in rookie ball or possibly A ball depending on how aggressive the Rays decide to be.
Eliomar Garces, also a $1.6 million signing, was touted as one of the stronger defensive shortstops in the class. A switch-hitter with plus bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline, he’s light on power but steady overall. His .257/.385/.361 line and 108 wRC+ are buoyed by a 16% walk rate.
Warel Solano ($1.05M) has arguably been the Rays most impressive hitter in the DSL, slashing .319/.391/.418 with a 119 wRC+. The 6’2 third baseman shows exit velos over 102 mph and still significant projection in his frame. Emmanuel Cedeno ($500K) is a high energy middle infielder who produced a .304/.466/.361 line with a 139 wRC+, driven by an elite 22.6 BB% and just a 5.7 K%, adding 14 steals. Ivan Torres ($150K) has been excellent with the bat as a catcher, hitting .294/.459/.373 with a 140 wRC+ and .441 wOBA. He showed advanced bat-to-ball skills, though his high BABIP and heavy ground-ball approach are worth monitoring.
Overall, the Rays’ 2025 international class delivered promising DSL debuts, giving the system multiple prospects to track closely in coming years.
The RBLR Rays Roundtable is a weekly collection of analysis, insight, and perspectives from a cast of writers assembled because of their unique backgrounds and experience. Check this space weekly for new updates and features covering the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rays’ minor league prospects, and more!
