Former Orioles prospects added in Shane Baz haul fill up Rays top 30 prospects list

The top 30 prospects per club lists were posted recently and it was amazing to see how they arranged the Rays young phenoms. Elite shortstop Carson Williams was obviously atop the list as he displayed his power and defensive skills in a short stint in the big leagues last year. Spring training invitee Brody Hopkins is also in the top 3 and he's showing his impressive ability to strike opposing hitters out at the highest level. The rest of the top 30 included some unfamiliar names, but they're very familiar with each other as they've played together since their professional debuts.

The Rays top prospects list heading into the 2026 season is loaded with undeniable talent. From the nearly five-tool player in Jacob Melton to the power hitting and slick defending first base tandem of Xavier Isaac and Tre' Morgan, the skill sets are very diverse and striking. However, there's a group of (very) young prospects that shouldn't be overlooked in the Rays farm system.

Their arrival to the organization came recently as they were included in the return package for beloved starting pitcher Shane Baz. As a former top prospect himself, we're sure Baz respected and was probably humbled by the haul of great athletes that the Rays got from the Orioles this offseason. To add to the impact of this trade, all four of the respective prospects were added to the Rays top 30.

The first former Orioles prospect of note is No. 10 on the Rays list. Slater de Brun was drafted by Baltimore in the summer of 2025 out of Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. De Brun is praised mostly for his incredible speed and fielding potential. It will be fun to watch him roam the outfield as he climbs through the minor league ranks.

The top-rated prospect from the Shane Baz deal is right-handed pitcher Michael Forret. The 21-year-old hurler was selected in the 2023 draft and provides a consistent mix of high-level fastball, slider, and changeup.

Single-A backstop Caden Bodine was also drafted in the last MLB draft out of Coastal Carolina University. As a member of the prestigious baseball school, Bodine displayed impressive offensive abilties. In 2025, the 21-year-old catcher hit .318 with five home runs and 42 RBIs. The switch-hitter could be a resemblance of the current Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.

Lastly, 2024 Orioles draft pick Austin Overn is labeled as the No. 26 prospect in the Rays system. The 22-year-old outfielder will begin the 2026 campaign with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits as he projects to excel in defense and elite speed, similarly to his former teammate Slater de Brun.