Breaking down Tampa Bay Rays' 2024 first-round pick Theo Gillen

The 2024 MLB Draft began on Sunday, with many young prospects at the high school and collegiate levels looking to hear their names called to make the next steps in their baseball careers. In the first round, Tampa Bay had the 18th overall pick and landed Theo Gillen out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.

Gillen is currently committed to play baseball in Austin for the Texas Longhorns. He is ranked as the 11th best overall player in the 2024 class and the best player out of the state of Texas. Scouts have described him as a quick and athletic prospect that runs well on the basepaths, which is something that fits the Rays' identity as a small ball group. He had 29 steals this past season, according to the stats on him found at the Austin American-Statesman.

He has mostly played in the middle infield, adding additional depth to that spot within the Rays' system; Tampa already employs the likes of Junior Caminero and Carson Williams. He also adds an advanced bat; during this past season, he batted .415 and got on base at a .579 rate.

Gillen also hit just seven home runs this past season. However, his draft report still maintains he has a power hitter ceiling with how good his contact skills are.

Tampa Bay Rays' first-round pick Theo Gillen still has drawbacks

It is important to note that Gillen has had his fair share of health-related tribulations that include surgeries, but he still is a viable player nearly everywhere on the field. As an 18-year-old prospect, the Rays clearly have a ton of time to work with him.

Gillen has big-time elite play at the plate, Scouts rave about the athleticism he shows both offensively and defensively, and he has the batting stats to show he can excel at baseball's professional level. He is mature for a prospect fresh out of high school, and the Rays possibly made a big time splash in the 2024 first round.