Over the offseason, the Draybay community takes part in an exercise in which we compile a list of 30 prospects in the Rays system based on popular vote.
Now that the 2024 season has concluded, we can look back at these rankings and see how each individual player performed.
We have already covered
We resume the reviews at #24.
24. Dru Baker
The Rays selected Dru Baker in the 4th round of the 2021 draft due to his above average ability at the plate and potential to be a plus defender. During his first three years in the organization, he showcased exactly that skillset, along with some suprising pop as he hit 14 HR during the 2023 season. His 2023 breakout led to him gaining a spot as one of the top 30 prospects in the system.
Before the Season
24 | BT: R/R | 5’ 11” | 205
A+ | .307/.396/.491 (.887 OPS, 144 wRC+) 377 PA, 13 HR, 38 SB
AA | .287/.346/.417 (.763 OPS, 105 wRC+) 127 PA, 1 HR, 11 SB
Back to back seasons the Rays promoted 2021 4th rounder Baker mid-season after he dominated his level, and both times he turned in a league average performance at the next level. From a tools perspective, he’s a right handed Colton Ledbetter that trades exit velo for more stole bases. His defense has projection in center, but he needs to keep the strikeouts down as he continues to climb the ladder. His easiest path to the majors is in a bench role.
How it Went
Somethings improved for Baker and other things just disappeared. Scouts were shocked by Baker’s 14 HR in 2023, and it seems those longballs may be an outlier. Over the course of the 2024 season, Baker hit ZERO homeruns and had a .328 SLG%; his 0.40 ISO was the 2nd lowest in the minors among hitters with at least 400PA, with even fellow Biscuit Chandler Simpson possessing a better ISO. However, Baker did post a 20.6 K% which is better than average and certainly something scouts worried would increase with his promotion to Double-A and he also racked up 42 stolen bases.
Final 2024 Statline
AA: .288/.344/.328 | 0 HR | 42 SB | 20.6 K% | 7.3 BB% | 103 wRC+ | 467 PA
