The Rays are trading veteran reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres in exchange for three prospects: RHP Dylan Lesko, OF Homer Bush Jr. and C J.D. Gonzalez.
Lesko was the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft, signing for $3.9 million as an 18-year old that was in the midst of Tommy John recovery. As you might imagine, that recovery has been a long road, but the Rays are not afraid of taking young pitching projects on, especially ones with pedigree.
Baseball America ranked Lesko the No. 2 prospect in the Padres system in 2023, falling to No. 5 this season. He has a plus-plus fastball at 98 mph with carry and a legendary change, so there’s quite a bit to like in this return, and that’s just the first piece. Here’s what BA wrote about Lesko recently:
As with most Tommy John rehabbers, Lesko’s command fluctuated throughout his first year back on the mound. When he was right, he still boasts a four-seamer that touches 98 mph with carry at the top of the zone. Lesko’s dastardly low-80s, fading changeup also still grades as a plus-plus pitch and perhaps the best offering of any pitcher in the system. There’s power to his 12-to-6 curveball that can push 3,000 rpm, though it’s a pitch he will need to refine with the repetition it didn’t get as an afterthought in his prep career. Given Lesko’s work ethic and aptitude for spinning a baseball, the Padres are optimistic that his curve will continue to improve as he moves further away from Tommy John surgery.
Gonzalez was a third round pick in 2023, taken 96th overall, and was reportedly 5’11” and 165 as an 18-year old. He’s a projectable back stop with a left handed swing, and has 50+ prospect grades across the board, with the exception of his running, which is typical for the position. His best asset is his arm. There’s high variance in any catching prospect this young, but this is a good get.
Bush Jr. was a fourth round pick in 2023, and considered by some evaluators to be the fastest player in the draft. A 22-year old center fielder out of Grand Canyon, he’s been using his transition to professional baseball as a chance to add strength, but there doesn’t seem to be a large concern he can’t reach replacement level power. His 80-grade speed lets him outrun any mistakes, which has rocketed him up to Double-A already.
Adam, 33, is not a free agent until 2027, which is why this return is as promising as it is. He was making just under $3 million this season in his second of four years of salary arbitration, but the Rays typically find their value in the bullpen below that price, so moving on from Adam fits their modus operandi.
No. 47 for the Rays had 47 appearances, totaling 47 innings this season, which is a nice bit of symmetry, with a 2.49 ERA (3.34 FIP). One of baseball’s best relievers in 2022, his first season in Tampa Bay, Adam was credited with 24 saves and 92 holds in his Rays career.
