4 Rays included in FanGraphs ZiPS top 100 prospects

In yet another list released for FanGraphs’ “Prospect Week,” their ZiPS formula had 4 Rays prospects ranked in its top 100. 

The big difference between this list and many others is its emphasis on relying almost exclusively on known data to spit out results. 

It’s purely a model-based list, which can be a wonderful supplement, as its creator Dan Szymborski points out, a “best attempt to harness all the data that is available to get a numbers-based understanding of how good a prospect is.”

So while it might be a bit weird to not see some of the lower level prospects many others are quite high on, it’s an important caveat to remember that lower level prospects likely lack the performance data to crack this list, it’s not an affront to those players, but more of a fun alternate way of looking at them. 

Is it perfect? Of course not; but what prospect list is without warts or flaws?

So here are the 4 Rays prospects listed. 

2. Carson Williams, SS

There’s not much more to say about CW, but he’s the top non-Roki-Sasaki prospect in baseball according to this list, which is pretty cool!

14. Xavier Isaac, 1B

Similarly to Williams, Isaac has a lot written about him. 

This high of a ranking could come as a bit of a shock, but despite his swing flaws that might come back to bite him as he progresses haven’t been an issue in regards to his production so far. 

Thus, he’s ranked as the 2nd best 1B prospect on this list. 

34. Brayden Taylor, 3B 

Surprisingly listed as a third baseman, this list doesn’t include multiple positions for anyone, so it makes sense to put Taylor at the spot he’s played at the most, even if he doesn’t stick. 

There’s 4 third basemen listed higher than Taylor, but he’d be the 3rd best second baseman in the group, which is fun. 

It was interesting that Taylor didn’t crack the 1st FanGraphs list at all, but hey, different ways to skin a cat. 

95. Dylan Lesko, P 

Despite also not being ranked by the other FanGraphs Lesko sneaks in at the end of this list. 

His big curveball and refined changeup are massive pluses alongside a good fastball, but strike throwing and injury concerns might prevent the 21-year-old from capitalizing on his immense potential.