The Rays have been a model organization over the last decade, especially given their well-known budget restraints. Tampa made the playoffs five times over the last six seasons and won an American League pennant in 2020. And, their draft hauls played a key role in their success. Here’s a look at the Rays’ best MLB Draft picks over the last 10 years.
Best Rays Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year Drafted | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Burke | P | 2014 | 3 | 1.9 |
| Brandon Lowe | 2B/OF | 2015 | 3 | 16.0 |
| Jake Cronenworth | INF | 2015 | 7 | 13.4 |
| Ian Gibaut | P | 2015 | 11 | 2.1 |
| Josh Lowe | SS/OF | 2016 | 1 | 4.7 |
| Jake Fraley | OF | 2016 | 2 | 2.7 |
| Nathaniel Lowe | 1B | 2016 | 13 | 11.5 |
| Taylor Walls | SS | 2017 | 3 | 7.4 |
| Shane McClanahan | P | 2018 | 1 | 8.7 |
| Joe Ryan | P | 2018 | 7 | 6.3 |
The Rays have done a sound job of landing high-end talent. Tampa landed three players over the last decade who’ve already accumulated bWAR figures north of 10.0.
The most notable name on this list is Brandon Lowe. Lowe was a power-hitting infielder with Maryland, selected in the third round in 2015. The 30-year-old became a key piece of the Rays. His premier season came in 2021 when Lowe hit 39 home runs.
Jake Cronenworth never played an MLB game with the Rays. But, he turned into a two-time All-Star with the Padres. Cronenworth cracked 17 or more home runs in three of his first five seasons and notched the series-winning hit in the 2022 NLDS.
Tampa also didn’t receive benefits from Nathaniel Lowe, traded in December 2020 in a six-player deal with the Rangers. Lowe broke out with the Rangers, as he won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award with Texas and the 2023 World Series. Lowe’s younger brother, Josh, was picked in the same draft as Nathaniel.
Then, there are the pitchers. Joe Ryan turned into a strong starter with the Twins. Shane McClanahan, a fireballer with a 5.0 BB/9 at South Florida, turned into a strike-throwing ace for the Rays. Taj Bradley, who could make this list in the future, was picked in the same draft as McClanahan and Ryan.
One name who would have made this list but didn’t meet our criteria was Drew Rasmussen. The Rays drafted Rasmussen in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft (31st overall) but did not sign with Tampa. One year later, amidst Tommy John surgery recovery, Rasmussen re-entered the draft and was selected by Milwaukee in the sixth round.
Three years later, Rasmussen was acquired by the Rays in the Willy Adames deal. He owned a career 2.72 ERA with Tampa as of 2024 but injuries limited him in 2023 and 2024.
Worst Rays Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Gillaspie | 1B | 2014 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
| Cameron Varga | P | 2014 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Garrett Whitley | OF | 2015 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
| Chris Betts | C | 2015 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Ryan Boldt | OF | 2016 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Brendan McKay | P | 2017 | 1 | -0.1 |
| Matthew Liberatore | P | 2018 | 1 | -0.5 |
| Nick Schnell | OF | 2018 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
| JJ Goss | P | 2019 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
| Nick Bitsko | P | 2020 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
During the 2010s, the Rays jumped at the chance to grab toolsy players with raw talent and plus raw traits atop the MLB Draft. Now that several years have passed, we have an idea of how exactly that strategy worked out. Let’s just say there were hits and misses.
Tampa didn’t hit on several first-round picks during this time, including college bat Casey Gillaspie (2014), New York high school outfielder Garrett Whitley and power hitter Chris Betts (2015), Brendan McKay (2017), and JJ Goss (2019), for various reasons.
Whitley showcased good raw power but couldn’t avoid strikeouts (30.6% K% in Minors). The same could be said for Chris Betts, who had plus-plus raw power. Goss showed promise but struggled with injuries, including shoulder problems in 2021.
However, the most notable player on this section of the list is Brendan McKay.
McKay was one of the best college players of the 2010s; he won the 2017 Golden Spikes after 146 strikeouts and a 1.116 OPS with Louisville. The Rays, after selecting McKay, allowed him to be a two-way player. Keep in mind, that this was before Shohei Ohtani arrived in the United States.
McKay wasn’t an impressive Minor League hitter but was a dominant pitcher, thanks to a great cutter and secondary stuff. He made his MLB debut in 2019 and looked on path to be a regular contributor in Tampa. Then, the walls collapsed.
McKay tore his labrum in 2020. A year later, he needed thoracic outlet surgery. He returned to the mound in 2024 and pitched well as a reliever. McKay struck out 17 over 18 innings (1.50 ERA) and could contribute in the Majors at some point. But, he likely won’t live up to the pre-MLB Draft hype.
High school pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore hasn’t had much success in his MLB career. Liberatore owned a career 1.43 WHIP over his first three MLB seasons. But, the Rays sold high on him years earlier in 2020. The Rays used Liberatore to get Randy Arozarena.
The most recent name on this list is Nick Bitsko, selected out of high school in Pennsylvania in 2020. Bitsko was a well-known name in draft circles but was expected to be a 2021 draft pick. He re-classified and immediately jumped up draft boards, thanks to an eye-popping high-90s fastball with elite induced movement and a power curve. Unfortunately for the Rays, Tampa’s yet to see it at the pro level.
Bitsko underwent labrum surgery in 2020, pitched in 14 games in 2022 and had no command (20 BB over 17 IP), and threw just 2.1 IP in 2024 before he was shut down. The 22-year-old gave up eight walks and 10 earned runs in those 2.1 innings with the FCL Rays.
Draft picks who did not sign are included in these lists. bWAR figures as of October 2024. Be sure to check out how other teams in the AL East, including the Red Sox, Orioles, and Yankees, have done in the MLB Draft recently.