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What Rays fans can be thankful for this Thanksgiving

By Austin Reimann
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Willy Adames #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after he hits a home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Willy Adames #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after he hits a home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 07: Wander Franco #40 of the American League celebrates after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the National League during the fourth inning during the All-Stars Futures Game at Progressive Field on July 07, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The American and National League teams tied 2-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 07: Wander Franco #40 of the American League celebrates after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the National League during the fourth inning during the All-Stars Futures Game at Progressive Field on July 07, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The American and National League teams tied 2-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

There is a lot to be thankful for when you boast the best far system in baseball and the best overall prospect in baseball.

The Tampa Bay Rays’ success in 2019 is due in large part to their ability to develop major league players prior to their arrival in Tampa Bay. Players such as Willy Adames, Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Lowe, Blake Snell and others all spent considerable time developing their craft with Rays minor league coaches and developmental staff.

Their farm system’s resurgence to the top of the pile is a testament to the front office’s ability to trade for, sign, and draft soon-to-be major league talent. Their rich crop of prospects is led by the #1 prospect in all of baseball, Wander Franco, the 18-year-old phenom out of the Dominican Republic who could possibly debut in 2020 at the young age of 19.

But, there is more to be thankful for than just the Wander Show. Pitchers like Matthew Liberatore, Shane Baz, and Brent Honeywell are well on their way to continuing a history of excellence on the mound in Tampa Bay. Position players like Vidal Brujan, Ronaldo Hernandez, and Greg Jones are all poised to bring even more excitement to Tampa Bay in the years to come as well.

The youth movement in Tampa Bay is alive and well and something to be very excited and thankful for.

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