2021 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: No. 30
For the first time in six votes, a clear consensus emerged.
Previous winner
RHP Drew Strotman (6’3 195, 24 in 2021)
2019 statistics with Class A-Advanced Charlotte: 16 IP, 5.06 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 12.3 BB%, 17.8 K%
Strotman got his pro career off to an excellent start in 2017 and 2018 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Even though he hasn’t pitched above Class A, the Rays added him to the 40-man roster this winter. According to a report from Baseball America correspondent Marc Topkin ($), he’s throwing in the mid-90s and added a cutter. He also throws a slider and changeup.
We’ve finally reached the end of normal voting for the annual community prospect list. It’s been a wild offseason with a lot of unexpected additions. Thank you for participating.
The voting will continue with a Google Form next week. It’s a deep organization, so interested fans will be able to weigh in some more.
OF Jhon Diaz (L/L, 5’11 160, 18 in 2021)
Signed in 2019
Diaz was the Rays’ top signing in the last international period, and he was ranked No. 18 in the class by MLB.com. The Yankees were expected to sign him, but the deal fell through, giving the Rays an opportunity. He’s known for his performance in games, but he has good tools too. At the plate, he should make consistent contact with a nice plate approach and potential for average power. In the field, he could play a decent center field.
LHP John Doxakis (6’4 215, 22 in 2021)
2019 statistics with short-season Hudson Valley: 32 2⁄3 IP, 1.93 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8.5 BB%, 23.8 K%
Doxakis had a strong pro debut after the Rays made him a second-round pick in 2019, which isn’t surprising considering his success in college baseball’s toughest conference. He’s an advanced pitcher who throws strikes with a deceptive delivery. His stuff is just average across the board, although Baseball America’s postdraft report ($) has a little higher velocity than its predraft report ($). He also throws a slider and changeup.
RHP Sandy Gaston (6’3 200, 19 in 2021)
2019 statistics with Gulf Coast League Rays: 27 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 20.9 BB%, 24.0 K%
Thanks to his great velocity, Gaston was able to earn a $2.61 million bonus from the Rays. He’s been able to touch triple digits for a couple years now, but the rest of his game needs significant refinement. He could cut his walk rate in half, and it may still be too high. He also throws a curveball and changeup.
OF Niko Hulsizer (R/R, 6’2 225, 24 in 2021)
2019 statistics with Class-A Great Lakes, Class A-Advanced Rancho Cucamonga, and Class A-Advanced Charlotte: 393 PA, .262/.369/.537, 21 HR, 47 XBH, 7/12 SB, 12.7 BB%, 30.3 K%
Hulsizer was acquired in the trade that sent Adam Kolarek to the Dodgers. He didn’t play much with his new organization due to an injury, but he hit well in the Australian Baseball League over the winter. He has plus power potential and has shown in-game power, but otherwise, he doesn’t offer a lot. He will have to cut down on his strikeouts.
IF Esteban Quiroz (L/R, 5’6 199, 29 in 2021)
2019 statistics with Triple-A El Paso: 366 PA, .271/.384/.539, 19 HR, 44 XBH, 14.2 BB%, 22.4 K%
Quiroz was acquired in the trade that sent Tommy Pham to San Diego. He’s not very big, but he’s hit for a lot of power in affiliated ball — 26 homers and 57 extra-base hits in 128 games since the Red Sox signed him prior to the 2018 season. He gets on base with a good walk rate. He’s played a few different positions, but it will be his bat that carries him.
SS Abiezel Ramirez (S/R, 5’11 160, 21 in 2021)
2019 statistics with Gulf Coast League Rays and rookie-level Princeton: 196 PA, .282/.352/.402, 9/9 SB, 13 XBH, 8.2 BB%, 26.5 K%
Ramirez signed for $300,000 in 2016, and he’s been a productive player since beginning his career. He’s a good athlete with a good arm, so he could stick at shortstop. Although reports say he has the bat speed to produce power, he hasn’t done so in games yet. He’ll have to cut down on strikeouts, but he does take his fair share of walks.
OF Nick Schnell (L/R, 6’3 180, 21 in 2021)
2019 statistics with rookie-level Princeton and Class-A Bowling Green: 226 PA, .272/.338/.455, 5 HR, 23 XBH, 5/8 SB, 8.8 BB%, 33.2 K%
Injuries ended Schnell’s pro debut early and delayed his start to 2019, but when he’s been on the field, he’s played pretty well — despite a very high strikeout rate. Otherwise, he’s shown why the Rays selected him with the No. 32 pick in 2018. He’s hit well, showed power potential, and he has the chance to stick in center field with solid athleticism. Staying on the field will be key moving forward.
LHP Ian Seymour (6’0 210, 22 in 2021)
Drafted in 2020
Seymour was comically good for Virginia Tech before the pandemic shut the season down. He struck out more than half the batters he faced in 20 1⁄3 innings, even though he doesn’t have dominant stuff. His fastball is average, but his changeup is potentially plus. His slider needs improvement. He also showed growth in his walk rate throughout his collegiate career.