Editor’s Note: Yandy Diaz’s vesting option has been noted.
As soon as an MLB team bows out of the postseason, fans immediately want answers.
What went wrong this season? What are the team’s biggest needs? Which free agents might leave? Are there any prospects on the way to help get this team over the hump next year?
Below, we’ll attempt to answer those questions for the Rays, who lost the World Series in five games to the Brewers.
You can find 2027 outlooks for every other playoff team here.
What Went Wrong For The 2026 Rays?
There’s no shame in getting steamrolled by a dominant team. Tampa Bay used some extra-inning magic to avoid a sweep, but its third AL pennant-winning campaign still ended short of the organization’s first World Series title. But that was the only downside to a pretty magical season. The Rays reopened the Trop, had the best record in the American League and rolled to the World Series.
So how can Tampa Bay take that next step? Below are the prospects most likely to bolster the Rays’ 2027 roster.
2027 Prospect Who Could Help The Rays The Most
Theo Gillen, OF: Gillen had a breakout season in 2026, establishing himself as one of the top outfield prospects in baseball. He hit .315/.419/.546 with 22 home runs and 44 steals between High-A and Double-A while playing plus defense. Gillen shows strong contact skills and impact ability. He needs to improve against lefthanded pitching but otherwise has few holes at the plate. Gillen will be 21 for all of 2027, and when he makes his debut will depend on how aggressive the Rays choose to be with his development.
Other 2027 Rays Prospect ETAs
Caden Bodine, C: After coming over from the Orioles in the Shane Baz trade, Bodine moved through four levels and ended the season in the Tampa Bay dugout on the taxi squad. He has among the best contact skills in all of MiLB, striking out only 34 times in 117 games. Overall, he hit .342/.410/.517 and showed he has little left to prove in the minors. He could form a strong partnership with Liam Hicks behind the plate for years to come.
Brody Hopkins, RHP: Hopkins has some of the best raw stuff in the minors but has struggled to throw strikes throughout his career. He made his major league debut in September and showed his tantalizing ability, striking out seven in 5.1 innings. The Rays will be tempted to try him as a starter one last time in 2027, but if that doesn’t work, he could be an impact arm out of their bullpen.
Jacob Melton, OF: Melton played only 50 games because of injuries in his first season with the Rays after coming over from the Astros in the 2025 offseason. He showed improvement at the plate when healthy and should serve as outfield depth in 2027.
Ty Johnson, RHP: Johnson impressed in September while working out of the Rays’ bullpen after starting in Triple-A. He likely profiles in relief long term, as he’s a two-pitch guy and could be a strong depth arm out of the Rays’ pen throughout 2027.
Alexander Alberto, RHP: Alberto was selected by the White Sox in the Rule 5 draft last offseason but returned to the Rays this spring. He impressed this season in 60.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, putting up a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 25 walks. He’s an imposing presence on the mound at 6-foot-8 and has outlier stuff with a high-90s cutter and mid-80s sweeper. He’s a minor league free agent after the season, so the Rays will have to decide quickly whether to add him to the 40-man roster or risk losing him. If they do add him, he’s another intriguing power arm for their 2027 relief group.
Xavier Isaac, 1B: Isaac made some nice adjustments as the 2026 season progressed to get to more contact. He will take a walk and has premium power, but serious questions remain with his hit tool. Even though he strikes out around 30% of the time, he has skills that the Rays will look to maximize by putting him in positions to succeed.
Jadher Areinamo, SS: Areinamo had a down season at the plate, hitting only .240/.282/.407, but his glove gives him a chance to contribute in 2027. He’s on the 40-man roster already and is a capable defender at shortstop, second and third base. He doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but it’s easy to envision him filling a role in 2027 as a contact-and-defense bench player.
Rays Prospect To Dream On
Grady Emerson, SS: The Rays selected Emerson second overall in this year’s draft, and even though he struggled in his debut (.176/.283/.216), he checks all the boxes teams look for in a high school shortstop prospect. He’s athletic with a projectable frame, has a very smooth swing and shows the capacity to add power as he matures. Defensively, he has soft hands, good actions, plus range and plenty of arm strength for the position. Even though Emerson struggled, the experience he gained will be invaluable going forward, and he has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the organization.
Pending Rays Free Agents
- Freddy Peralta, RHP
- Drew Rasmussen, RHP (Team Option)
- Nick Martinez, RHP (Mutual Option)
Biggest Rays Roster Needs
Starting Pitching: Even with trade acquisition Peralta headed to free agency, the Rays have an excellent top to their starting rotation thanks to righthander Drew Rasmussen, whose $8 million team option is a massive bargain. But beyond him, there’s a lot of uncertainty. Lefthander Shane McClanahan was shut down late in the year with left forearm tightness, and righthander Ryan Pepiot missed most of the 2026 season because of right hip surgery. Both are expected to be ready to go for 2027, but their health issues mean the Rays need additional depth and alternate plans. Griffin Jax should fill one spot, but the Rays’ enviable prospect depth could be used in trades to add another young starter.
Projected 2027 Rays Lineup
Note: As Of Oct. 1
C: Liam Hicks
1B: Jonathan Aranda
2B: Richie Palacios
3B: Junior Caminero
SS: Taylor Walls
LF: Chandler Simpson
CF: Jonny DeLuca
RF: Victor Mesa Jr.
DH: Yandy Diaz
No. 1 Starter: Drew Rasmussen
No. 2 Starter: Shane McClanahan
No. 3 Starter: Ryan Pepiot
No. 4 Starter: Griffin Jax
No. 5 Starter: Ian Seymour
Closer: Bryan Baker
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