MLB

2026 DraysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for number 6

ballervisions 2026年1月17日

Past Winner

Ty Johnson, RHP
24 | 6’6″ | 205
AA | 2.61 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 110.1 IP (26 G, 20 GS), 34.7% K, 8.8% BB

A dip-and-drive pitcher with quick arm action and a limited arsenal with a flat plane has given Johnson the impression of relief for much of his minor league career, but his success speaks for itself. Johnson has a fastball that continues to be difficult for hitters to spot. It stays around 94 as a starter and can go up to 98, but talking about a fastball buries the lede. Johnson’s slider passed the Double-A test in part because he was able to throw it fast and slow enough to keep hitters out. So, he hasn’t really needed a third pitch yet, but there is a change in the development of the rest of the problem.

Level	The player	Position	Votes	Total	The percentage	Last season
1	Carson Williams	SS	14	25	56%	1
2	Brody Hopkins	RHP	19	25	76%	8
3	Jacob Melton	OF	14	28	50%	N/A
4	Theo Gillen	OF	14	26	54%	13
5	Ty Johnson	RHP	12	25	48%	15

Ty Johnson is the first significant difference from the national rankings, seemingly destined for the 20-30 range on some sites. Our commentariat believes in the results, however, and has made it to the Top-5. Daniel Pierce finished second with 8 votes, while Jadher Areinamo, Anderson Brito, Slater de Brun, Michael Forret, and TJ Nichols all received votes. Next we add a personal favorite, Brendan Summerhill.

They will not be elected

Acquired in return for Danny Jansen at the 2025 trade deadline, Arenamo was promoted directly to Double-A by the Rays, and his success at that level carried over to the Venezuelan winter league, where his 1.112 OPS and 13 HR each were the second-highest marks in the league. He is thought to have a high baseball IQ, a strong motor, excellent bat control, and defensive flexibility, any of which could make him an exciting first major leaguer.

Caden Bodine, C
22 | S/R | 5’10” | 200
A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K

Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He’s described as a very safe prospect because of his nearly 70-grade bat-to-ball skills, as well as comfort-and-blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his small frame limits him in terms of power, but that concern is offset by strong plate direction from both sides of the plate; his sweet left-handed swing. All catching prospects will see their value proposition change with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, establishing him as a solid big league catcher.

Anderson Brito, RHP
21 | 5’10” | 155
A+ (HOU) | 3.28 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 49.1 IP (12 GS), 31.1% K, 13.4% BB

Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito has a three-pitch combination with a 100-touch fastball with a cut-ride, two breakers and a mid-80s curveball with impressive depth and a mid-80s slider that commands a lot. He also mixes in a progressive low-90s cutter and a scattershot but interesting mid-80s changeup with solid velocity and breakup motion, with added deception from his smaller frame that helps limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he posted below-average strikeout rates in A-ball during 2024–25 and hasn’t felt the same off the slider, leaving him serving as an uncontrollable, high-level pitcher for now. However, with a lot of added lift, improved durability, and reasonable command advantages, he has a starting rotation in the middle, giving him the most comprehensive results in this list.

Slater de Brun, OF
18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187

Drafted 37th overall in 2025, with a draft pick traded to the Rays, de Brun was actually reacquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many prospects in the Rays outfield he is not expected to develop much power, but he compensates with hitting ability in all fields, and has the benefit of years of development. His tools for hitting and thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double speed enhance both his speed and range in the middle; he has a strong arm and can stick around for a long time. The key to his development will be improving his pitch selection to maximize his potential. Although he hasn’t played in a pro game yet, he’s a good bet to skip the tough league and debut in Charleston this season.

Michael Forret, RHP
22 | 6’3″ | 190
A+ (BAL) | 1.51 ERA, 2.45 FIP, 59.2 IP (16 G, 15 GS), 33.5% K, 7.5% BB
AA (BAL) | 1.88 ERA, 2.03 FIP, 14.1 IP (3 GS), 15 K, 3 BB

A product of State College of Florida Manatee – Sarasota (formerly Manatee Junior College), Forret was a maximum slot ($450k) 14th round draft pick in 2023 and comes via the Shane Baz trade. Despite missing some time with a back injury in 2025, his fastballs and breaking balls already look big-league ready. He seems to have a knack for trying new things, as he’s starting to make the transition to kicking in 2024, and he’s already in talks with a sweeper like the Rays, about his Tread Athletics offseason plan. He has a low release point (less than 6 feet) but a rising fastball, and it should – to quote Eric Longenhagen – “feel thrilling.” He climbs successfully and with variety, and can climb the ladder quickly in 2026.

Xavier Isaac, 1B
22 | L/L | 6’3″ | 240
AA | .201/.366/.446 (144 wRC+) 175 PA, 9 HR, 1 SB, 19.4% BB, 29.7% K

Isaac had his season cut short by a brain tumor diagnosis, derailing a promising start to the season that replicated his cup of coffee in Double-A as a 20-year-old, despite suffering a minor arm injury along the way. He has the best pitching power in the program, and if he can hold his own for a perfect season in 2026 — especially against southpaws, which is somewhat of a concern — the former first-round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the Rays’ top spot.

TJ Nichols, RHP
24 | 6’5″ | 190
A+ | 3.63 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 96.2 IP (19 G, 18 GS), 30.4% K, 5.4% BB
AA | 0.97 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 37.0 IP (6 GS), 28.0% K, 6.8% BB

A sixth round pick from 2023, Nichols entered the Rays organization with low mileage and control issues, a match made in development heaven. Fast forward to 2025, and his 68% strikeout percentage ranks 10th among all minor league pitchers with 100 innings, according to Baseball America. His breaking ball is a big fish in a small pond because of his two-plane movement. To my eye, he has a mid-90’s fastball that’s easy, hot, and has a classic but consistent changeup. Despite all the gains in control his command could hold him back, but he fills a spot and can eat up innings, enough for a starting backfield position. If you buy stock, you are Kimberly-Clark.

Daniel Pierce, SS
19 | R/R | 6’0″ | 185

The 14th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Pierce is a natural defender at shortstop, with a top flight glove that can compete with any player in the organization. Early reports say he has started building muscle like a pro, which is helpful for his offense. His hot tool carries over, with a Bobby Witt Jr.-like throw. – out of the draft he got the coms of “fast Dansby Swanson.” The son of a coach, he has a good face, and should earn a starting role in the Holy City and have plenty of time to develop into his above-average form.

Santiago Suarez, RHP
21 | 6’2” | ?
A+ | 2.88 ERA, 2.07 FIP, 40.2 IP (10 GS), 26.9% K, 3.6% BB
AAA | 5 ER (9 H, 2 BB, 3 HR) 11.0 IP (2 GS), 9 K

Suarez climbed the ladder to Triple-A to finish out the shortened season, as some triceps/shoulder issues sidelined him for 2025, but when the Venezuelan strikeout was called up he earned the trust of his management to come out and play. He has two combination fastballs, with light heat but moderate ride in the 4-seam, and a strong, biting cutter. His only impressive pitch so far is a 12-6 curve, making it a definite arsenal. He gets a good extension, although I won’t talk about the double pump on his plant leg which at first glance looks like noise, but leads to obvious duplication. Suarez prides himself on control he may not be able to control. Currently a supinator profile with a standard arm slot. To improve he will either need to add some east-west depth to his arsenal (à la Chris Bassitt), or find ways to unlock spin levels with more touch (Shane Baz). I would expect him to play a role in Montgomery’s rotation as one of the younger starters at his level.

Brendan Summerhill, OF
22 | L/R | 6’3″ | 200
A| .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 14.3% BB, 11.9% K

Following an All-Star performance in the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill displayed some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the NCAA as a junior in Arizona. His draft stock took a bit of a hit due to injury (broken hand from hitting a cooler), and he was drafted 42nd overall ($2m signing bonus), but Summerhill rebounded nicely with a big stop in Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has added barrel control, allowing for a higher contact path on his long swings. He has plus speed as well, which gives him the ability to stick in the middle. Testers would like to see more ability to complete a five tool profile. If he performs in his first professional season, it’s an above average contributor’s guess.