Heading into this season the Tampa Bay Rays had the second-best farm system according to MLB Pipeline. With five prospects ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 rankings, the future in Central Florida seems bright. That group is led by shortstop Carson Williams the (No.9) ranked prospect, and first baseman Xavier Isaac who ranks 50th overall. The club also has infielder Brayden Taylor (No.66) and outfielder Theo Gillen (No.98) who are all considered franchise building blocks.
Tre Morgan Is Rising To Top Of Deep Tampa Bay Talent Pipeline
But the prospect who many around baseball believes has the most upside from an offensive and defensive standpoint is first baseman/ outfielder Tre’ Morgan. The 88th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and (No.79) overall ranked prospect has been on the fast track to the majors, and with an anticipated 2026 call up to the majors he’s done nothing to dispel the notion that he’ll be ready.
Morgan, the do-it-all utility player has been on a tear this season for the Durham Bulls. In 25 appearances this season, the former Bayou Bengals star who helped lead the Tigers to the 2023 College World Series title alongside pitcher Paul Skenes (Pirates) and outfielder Dylan Crews (Nationals) is batting a solid .300 with 27 hits, 16 walks, 15 runs and 12 RBI. His .422 on-base percentage is one of the best in all of the minors, and his is his now eight doubles.
Speaking with reporters during spring training, Morgan described what type of hitter he is, and he he’s able to produce these types of numbers.
“As a hitter, I’m definitely contact over power. Swinging snd missing is something that shouldn’t happen to often. That’s how I was taught to hit, by my dad really. If I run into one, it sometimes goes pretty far, but I kinda stick to gap-to-gap, trying to play wit the barrel.”
In every aspect Morgan is doing exactly what he did in Baton Rouge, producing at the plate and flashing a great glove.
Morgan Says Former Teammate Gave Him Quality Pointers
During last offseason, Morgan says he was able to work out with the aforementioned Crews and was able to pick his brain on what it’s like at the major league level.
“I was able to hit with Dylan, work out with Dylan and bounce ideas off him,” Morgan said this week. “Really, the first thing I asked him was, ‘Is it different?’ Like when you step in the box and (Yankees ace) Gerrit Cole is out there, is it different? Is it surreal?
“And he was able to tell me, ‘No, it’s the same game.’ And that was very comforting hearing that from him, because obviously we shared the same field for three years. So, yeah, it made me feel better about it.”
Morgan is close to the majors as we speak and even with the Rays right in the thick of the AL East race at 31-29 his chances to get the call this season are a real possibility.
