A brief look at the Tampa Bay Rays' 2024 MLB Draft selections in Rounds 11-20

The Tampa Bay Rays continued their selections into the 2024 MLB Draft's third day when rounds 11-20 took place.

Tampa Bay started the day in the 11th round picking Houston right-hander Cade Citelli. He had a well-improved 2024 season with a 3.29 ERA in five starts and 15 overall appearances. He was stingy in controlling at-bats, allowing only 12 walks all season. The Rays had a trend of drafting pitchers on Day 2, and they continued cashing in during Day 3, even after picking Citelli.

In the 14th round, they landed Arizona State right-hander Ryan Schiefer. He finished his 2024 season in Tempe with an ERA of 3.83 and gave up just six extra base hits in 42.1 innings. The Rays followed up with pitchers in the later rounds as well, like Andres Galan from California. He finished his season with 3.40 ERA and allowed an opposing batting average of .211. He developed nicely during his time in Berkeley.

Two more pitchers were taken in the 18th and 20th rounds in Dominic Niman from Kentucky and Kaleb Corbett from Louisville. Both players leave their college careers as experimental arms that Tampa Bay can look to develop.

Rays' position player targets on Day 3 of MLB Draft

The Rays also went after five position players during the third day of drafting. In the 12th round, they picked Jack Lines, a Florida State commit who played for the TNXL Academy in Florida. He was a highly sought after recruit, being the second-ranked shortstop nationally in the 2024 class, and adds depth to the Tampa Bay system's infielder room.

Tampa Bay continued with the postion players, drafting two outfielders in Connor Hujsak from Mississippi State and Derek Datil from Antonio Lucchetti High School in Puerto Rico. Hujsak was a solid all-around hitter in college, batting .325 and getting on base at a .400+ rate. Meanwhile, Datil is a two-way high school prospect who did not commit to any college and is committed (as of now) to developing with the Rays.

Two corner infielders wrapped up the Rays' draft picks on Tuesday in first baseman Brady Marget from Tulane and third baseman Tony Santa Maria from Rutgers. Much like Hujsak, Marget is an all-around hitter with similar 2024 college numbers to the Mississppi State center fielder, but also has untapped power. He hit 10 home runs for the Green Wave in 2024. Santa Maria developed some power upon transferring to Rutgers, hitting 24 combined homers in his two healthy seasons, and batted .300+ while getting on base at a .400+ rate during those two seasons.

Tampa Bay has imported a lot of talent that just needs time and patience now to develop in the professional ranks. A lot of the players displayed the stuff in high school and college to really become something in their future pro careers.