The Rays continued to target high-upside pitching by selecting Gavin Giese, a right-handed pitcher from Dana Hills High School (Calif.), with the 85th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
At 6’3 with plenty of projection remaining, Giese offers the size, athleticism, and clean arm action that have made him one of the more intriguing prep arms in the class. His fastball already reaches the mid-90s, and scouts believe there’s additional velocity to come as he matures physically.
Perhaps most intriguing is Giese’s advanced changeup, which creates significant velocity and movement separation off his fastball – traits the Rays have consistently prioritized when evaluating and developing pitchers. The pitch features late fade and deception, giving him a legitimate swing-and-miss weapon against left-handed hitters, while his developing slider rounds out a starter’s arsenal.
With his combination of projection, athleticism, and an offspeed profile that aligns closely with Tampa Bay’s pitching philosophy, Giese represents another high-ceiling arm for one of baseball’s premier player development organizations.
