Tampa Bay Rays: Post-Draft Pitching Prospect Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays – Brent Honeywell

Oh, Brent Honeywell. He went as the 72nd pick in the 2014 draft. In 2018, Honeywell was ready to go from one of the games top prospects to one of the best young pitchers in the major leagues. Instead, he had Tommy John surgery before the season. Then, last season he broke his elbow while rehabbing from TJ surgery.

Recently, it was announced that Honeywell had undergone another procedure on his elbow. He remains upbeat and ranked third on the Rays prospect list. MLB.com’s list hasn’t been updated since it was announced that he needed another surgery.

Honeywell hasn’t pitched since 2017 and likely won’t pitch again until 2021 at age 26. He still has all the talent in the world, but time is ticking on the 6-2 righty.

Unfortunately for Honeywell, the story nowadays is about his injuries and how he hasn’t pitched since 2017.

Let’s not forget that he’s got a five-pitch repertoire that includes a plus fastball, an above-average slider, a plus changeup, and even a plus screwball. He has more stuff than a hoarder with a pole barn.

Here’s how Honeywell grades out:

• Fastball: 60
• Slider: 55
• Changeup: 60
• Screwball: 60
• Curveball: 45
• Control: 55
• Overall: 55

Tampa Bay Rays – Shane McClanahan

McClanahan finished second in the country with 14.2 Ks per nine innings with South Florida, he was taken 31st overall in the 2018 draft by Tampa Bay.

McClanahan blasted through three levels of the minors last season. He is currently projected as a No. 3 starter in the big leagues, if not a big bullpen arm.

Here’s how he grades out:

• Fastball: 65
• Changeup: 50
• Slider: 55
• Control: 45
• Overall: 50