The Devil Ray farm system is thought by many to be the best in the division. Let's see how they are doing.
Position Players
Top Ray position player prospects include OFs Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes, 1B/3B/OF Wes Bankston, SS-3B B.J. Upton, SS Reid Brignac and C John Jaso. It has not been an easy start to the season for the big names- Upton continues to struggle defensively, Bankston struggled mightily with the glove, 11 errors worth, when a conversion to third base was attempted and is now out for a month with an oblique injury, while Young has been suspended after firing a bat at an umpire. Here are the statistics:
Pitchers
Top prospect and first rounder Jeff Niemann has been sidelined with arm problems, but the cupboard is not bare for the D-Rays. Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, Jamie Shields, Chuck Tiffany, Chris Mason, Jamie Houser and Wade Davis are an interesting group. The 6'5", 220 lb, 2004 3rd rounder Davis is particularly interesting. Right now, he's overpowering the Midwest League, and historically he's had good control. Here's the statistical picture:
Overall
I don't quite agree with the common perception of this system. The top prospects are not as good as they seem, and the lesser ones are probably better. There's a fair bit of talent here, both on the mound and in the field.
Position Players
Top Ray position player prospects include OFs Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes, 1B/3B/OF Wes Bankston, SS-3B B.J. Upton, SS Reid Brignac and C John Jaso. It has not been an easy start to the season for the big names- Upton continues to struggle defensively, Bankston struggled mightily with the glove, 11 errors worth, when a conversion to third base was attempted and is now out for a month with an oblique injury, while Young has been suspended after firing a bat at an umpire. Here are the statistics:
| Player | Age | Level | AB | BA | OBP | Slug | W | K | SB | CS |
| Young | 20.7 | AAA | 79 | .329 | .368 | .392 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 1 |
| Dukes | 21.8 | AAA | 79 | .316 | .413 | .595 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 2 |
| Upton | 21.7 | AAA | 89 | .292 | .400 | .427 | 14 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| Bankston | 22.5 | AA | 69 | .333 | .378 | .406 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 1 |
| Brignac | 20.4 | HiA | 87 | .356 | .408 | .552 | 8 | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| Jaso | 22.6 | HiA | 60 | .300 | .394 | .433 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
Pitchers
Top prospect and first rounder Jeff Niemann has been sidelined with arm problems, but the cupboard is not bare for the D-Rays. Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, Jamie Shields, Chuck Tiffany, Chris Mason, Jamie Houser and Wade Davis are an interesting group. The 6'5", 220 lb, 2004 3rd rounder Davis is particularly interesting. Right now, he's overpowering the Midwest League, and historically he's had good control. Here's the statistical picture:
| Player | Age | Level | G | GS | IP | ERA | W | K | HR |
| Jackson | 22.6 | AAA | 4 | 4 | 20.1 | 3.98 | 11 | 19 | 1 |
| Hammel | 23.7 | AAA | 3 | 3 | 15.0 | 3.60 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
| Shields | 24.6 | AAA | 5 | 5 | 28.1 | 3.18 | 3 | 26 | 2 |
| Tiffany | 21.4 | AA | 4 | 4 | 15.2 | 6.89 | 14 | 12 | 3 |
| Mason | 21.8 | HiA | 5 | 4 | 21.0 | 2.14 | 9 | 16 | 2 |
| Houser | 21.5 | HiA | 4 | 4 | 21.1 | 4.22 | 7 | 20 | 3 |
| Davis | 20.6 | LoA | 4 | 4 | 20.2 | 0.44 | 12 | 29 | 0 |
Overall
I don't quite agree with the common perception of this system. The top prospects are not as good as they seem, and the lesser ones are probably better. There's a fair bit of talent here, both on the mound and in the field.
