The Tampa Bay Rays have produced a number of standout infielders over the years, and it looks like they may have another one on the way.
As part of their updated rankings, MLB.com is revealing the top 10 prospects at each position, and on Monday, MLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra highlighted the top third basemen. Among the names listed is Brayden Taylor, the Rays’ first-round pick in 2023.
Taylor comes in as the No. 4 third base prospect heading into 2025, trailing Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles, Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs, and Cam Smith of the Houston Astros. Though Taylor finished 2024 as the No. 3 third base prospect, he has since been surpassed by Smith, who was traded to Houston in the major Kyle Tucker deal last month.
In 2024, Taylor was ranked No. 60 overall in MLB’s prospect rankings and is expected to remain within the Top 100 when the list is released on Friday. MLB Pipeline has rated his hit, power, arm, and fielding tools at 55, with his speed graded at 50.
A versatile infielder, Taylor has played second base, third base, and shortstop, but the Rays plan to keep him at third moving forward, as Carson Williams is considered the team’s shortstop of the future.
Since turning pro out of TCU in 2023, Taylor has played 139 games, including a stint in Double-A in 2024. Over his minor league career, the 22-year-old has posted a .249 batting average and an .861 OPS, with 25 home runs, 31 doubles, 11 triples, 77 RBI, and 40 stolen bases.
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