Previous winner (via runoff)<\/p>\n
7. Jadher Areinamo, INF
22 | R\/R | 5\u20198\u201d | 160
A+ (MIL) | .255\/.316\/.397 (126 wRC+) 415 PA, 11 HR, 15 SB, 8.2% BB, 11.6% K
AA (TB) | .255\/.316\/.697 (111 wRC+) 159 PA, 4 HR, 6 SB, 7.5% BB, 11.9% K
VEN | .364\/.420\/.692 162 PA, 13 HR, 5 SB, 8.6% BB, 12.3% K<\/p>\n
Acquired in return for Danny Jansen at the 2025 trade deadline, Arienamo was promoted straight to Double-A by the Rays, and his success at that level carried over into the Venezuealan winter league, where his 1.112 OPS and 13 HR were each the second highest marks in the league and earned him the ROY award. He\u2019s considered to have a high baseball IQ, strong motor, excellent bat control, and defensive flexibility, any one of which could earn him an entertaining major league debut.<\/p>\n
8. TJ Nichols, RHP
24 | 6\u20195\u201d | 190
A+ | 3.63 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 96.2 IP (19 G, 18 GS), 30.4% K, 5.4% BB
AA | 0.97 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 37.0 IP (6 GS), 28.0% K, 6.8% BB<\/p>\n
A sixth rounder from 2023, Nichols entered the Rays organization with low mileage and control issues, a match made in development heaven. Fast forward to 2025, and his 68% strike percentage ranked 10th best among all minor league pitchers with 100 innings, according to Baseball America. His breaking ball is a big fish in a little pond thanks to its two-plane movement. By my eye, he has a mid-90\u2019s dead zone-ish fastball with easy, over the top heat, and a classic but inconsistent change up. Despite all his gains in control it\u2019s his command that might hold him back, but he fills the zone and might be able to eat innings, which is enough for a back end starter floor. If you\u2019re buying stock, he\u2019s Kimberly-Clark.<\/p>\n
RankPlayerPositionVotesTotalPercentageLast Season1Carson WilliamsSS142556%12Brody HopkinsRHP192576%83Jacob MeltonOF142850%N\/A4Theo GillenOF142654%135Ty JohnsonRHP122548%156Daniel PierceSS132357%N\/A7Jadher AreinamoINF152854%N\/A8TJ NicholsRHP132846%N\/R<\/p>\n
The runoff between Areinamo and Nichols was well rewarded with a very close vote. There seems to be an open question if Areinamo\u2019s ceiling justifies his ranking, but in my view the floor is on par with what many Top-100 prospects eventually deliver, which leads us to where we are today. The next round adds two pitchers: Harrison and Urbina.<\/p>\n
Caden Bodine, C
22 | S\/R| 5\u201910\u201d | 200
A (BAL) | .326\/.408\/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K<\/p>\n
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade<\/a>. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.<\/p>\n Anderson Brito, RHP Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade<\/a>, Brito has three plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider he commands best. He also mixes in a developing low-90s cutter and a scattershot but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong velocity and movement separation, with some added deception from his smaller frame helping limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he\u2019s posted below-average strike rates in A-ball across 2024\u201325 and lacks consistent feel outside the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever for now. Still, with multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and meaningful command gains, he has mid-rotation starter upside, giving him possibly the widest range of outcomes on this list. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having \u201cShohei Ohtani\u2019s stuff with Johnny Cueto\u2019s body.\u201d<\/p>\n Slater de Brun, OF Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade<\/a>. Like many Rays outfield prospects he\u2019s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he\u2019s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.<\/p>\n Michael Forret, RHP A product of the State College of Florida Manatee – Sarasota (formerly Manatee Junior College), Forret was a well above slot ($450k) 14th round draft choice in 2023 and arrives via the Shane Baz trade<\/a>. Despite missing some time to a back injury in 2025, his array of fastballs and breaking balls already look major league ready. He seems adept at trying new things, as he picked up a whiff-worthy kick change in 2024, and is already tinkering with a Rays-like sweeper, both through his offseason program at Tread Athletics. He has a low release point (below 6 feet) but a rising fastball, and has \u2014 to quote Eric Longenhagen \u2014 \u201csensational feel.\u201d Forret pitches with efficiency and variety, and could climb the ladder quickly in 2026.<\/p>\n Trevor Harrison, RHP
21 | 5\u201910\u201d | 155
A+ (HOU) | 3.28 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 49.1 IP (12 GS), 31.1% K, 13.4% BB<\/p>\n
18 | L\/L | 5\u201910\u201d | 187<\/p>\n
22 | 6\u20193\u201d | 190
A+ (BAL) | 1.51 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 59.2 IP (16 G, 15 GS), 33.5% K, 7.5% BB
AA (BAL) | 1.88 ERA, 2.03 FIP, 14.1 IP (3 GS), 15 K, 3 BB<\/p>\n
20 | 6\u20194\u201d | 225
A | 2.61 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 82.2 IP (17 GS), 22.4% K, 10.7% BB
A+ | 3.33 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 24.1 IP (5 GS), 23.8% K, 12.4% BB<\/p>\n