On January 23, the Rays confirmed their list of non-roster invites to Spring Training. Twenty-three players were on the list, including top Tampa prospects Brayden Taylor, Carson Williams, and Xavier Isaac.
One of the most notable names in Rays camp this upcoming spring will be Carson Williams. Williams, Tampa’s first-round pick in 2021, has a longer stroke but is built for power. The former Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove winner hit .256/.352/.469 with 20 home runs and 33 stolen bases with the Biscuits (AA) last year.
Williams is arguably the Rays’ top prospect, thanks to his athleticism, ability to field at short, and his bat. Strikeouts, however, have been an issue for the 21-year-old. Williams struck out 144 times (28.5% K% in 2024) last season with Montgomery.
The 21-year-old does, however, have an opening to make the team’s Opening Day roster. New Rays infielder Ha-Seong Kim won’t be ready for Opening Day, while Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero have not brought a significant offensive punch to Tampa.
On the other hand, Williams — given the Rays’ glut of infielders on their 40-man roster — may very well start 2025 in Durham (AAA) for more work.
First baseman Xavier Isaac will also be in Rays Spring Training. The team’s 2022 first-round pick struggled in Double-A last season, hitting .211/.346/.349 (.695 OPS) with one home run and eight extra-base hits over 31 games. However, Isaac rolled through Bowling Green (A+), with a .916 OPS across 71 contests.
At 6’3” and 240 pounds, Isaac has plus raw power. However, Isaac will likely need another year or two before he’s MLB-ready.
Infielder Brayden Taylor, drafted out of TCU in the first round in 2023, is also on the list. Taylor hit .250/.365/.493 (.858 OPS) between High-A and Double-A, with 20 home runs and 29 stolen bases.
There are some other notable names. Chandler Simpson has arguably the best base-stealing attribute in the Minors, as the former Georgia Tech standout stole 104 bases last season. Outfielder Matthew Etzel, acquired in the Zach Eflin trade last July, stole 45 bases in 2024.
Right-hander Paul Gervase, acquired from the Mets last July for Tyler Zuber, could be a potential steal. Gervase struck out 77 over 45.1 IP last season, split between New York and Tampa’s Double-A affiliates. The right-hander stands at 6’10”, boasts a popping fastball with run and a gyro slider.
Additionally, the Rays invited Jonathan Hernandez, Tanner Murray, Nathan Wiles, Alfredo Zarraga, Keyshawn Askew, Ben Peoples, Ricardo Genoves, Cole Wilcox, Tristan Peters, Michael Flynn, Joey Gerber, Gregory Barrios, Garrett Acton, Dominic Keegan, Bob Seymour, Austin Vernon, Kenny Piper, and Alex Cook.
In addition to the Rays, the Mariners announced their list of non-roster invitees on January 30.