The Tampa Bay Rays are trading star outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, according to Marc Topkin, and first reported by Cuban reporter Francys Romero.
In return the Rays will receive three minor league players: OF Aidan Smith, RHP Brody Hopkins, and a player to be named later.
Smith was drafted in 2023 at an above-slot deal out of the fourth round that paid $1.2 million, essentially treating him like a top 50-75 player in that draft. The money needed to be good to keep the 6’3” teenager out of Lovejoy HS in Texas from joining the Mississippi Bulldogs. He has plus power, and plus plus defense in center, but ranked outside the top-10 on most prospect lists for the Seattle organization. If he hits, he’s a star, but it’s a high variance prospect given his age and need to develop at the plate.
Hopkins is a side-armer with a 99 mph fastball on a wide shouldered, 6’4” frame. The arm angle provides a plus slider, giving this 6th rounder from 2023 the floor of a high leverage reliever. There’s much more that needs developed to be a starter, which puts him in the 15-20 range for Seattle’s organization.
