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Tampa Bay Rays 2019 Draft: Previewing the Rays’ first 5 selections

By Austin Reimann
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MAY 11: A general view after Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays hit a 3-run homer off of Nestor Cortes Jr. #67 of the New York Yankees in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 11, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 7-2. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MAY 11: A general view after Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays hit a 3-run homer off of Nestor Cortes Jr. #67 of the New York Yankees in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 11, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 7-2. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 03: A Wilson baseball glove and major league baseballs sits on the field at Miller Park on September 3, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 03: A Wilson baseball glove and major league baseballs sits on the field at Miller Park on September 3, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/Getty Images) /

Pick #36

The Tampa Bay Rays’ second pick of the draft comes in the form of a Competitive Balance Round A selection. The Rays are said to be possibly targeting college bats in this draft which means that we could see them target an outfielder from Missouri or a first baseman from UCLA. The options will be aplenty early on. Here are just a few of the Rays options:

Hunter Barco, LHP, The Bolles School (FL)

  • MLB 200 Rank: 34

If the Rays save some slot money with their first round selection, they could possibly pry Barco away from his University of Florida commitment. The 6’4” 212 pound southpaw is raw but he has touched 94 at times. Though he was a two-way player in high school, Barco is expected to focus solely on pitching moving forward at which time he could see a real improvement in his stuff.

Josh Wolf, RHP, St. Thomas HS (Tex)   

  • MLB 200 Rank: 36

He might be gone by the 36th pick of draft thanks to a fastball that has reached 97 MPH, but if he is still available expect the Rays to give Wolf a long look. He also features a good 12/6 curveball and a changeup that has impressed at times.

Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell 

  • MLB 200 Rank: 31

If Johnson is available at 36, expect the Rays to jump on him. New to pitching, the strong junior has already touched 98. He needs polish but the Rays can take a chance on his electric arm with another selection just picks away.

Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri

  • MLB 200 Rank: 200

If he falls to 36, the Rays might feel compelled to select the Mizzou junior who many believe to have 20-20 power and speed. If they are indeed looking for college bats, Misner is surely on their radar.

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