Best draft picks in Tampa Bay Rays history
Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Tampa Bay Rays history using data from Baseball Reference. MLB players drafted by each team were ranked using career wins above replacement, which measures a player's value by estimating how many more wins they are worth than a replacement-level player at their position. Draft picks who were not ultimately signed by their selecting team were not considered. Players who were traded as draft picks were credited to their acquiring team. Career stats and information were provided as supplemental information.
#25. Jake McGee (tie)
- Draft: 135th overall pick in 2004
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 650
- Career stats: 32 wins, 3.71 earned run average, 1.15 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 7.1
#24. Joe Kennedy
- Draft: 252nd overall pick in 1998
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 222
- Career stats: 43 wins, 4.79 earned run average, 1.47 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 7.4
#23. Dan Wheeler
- Draft: 1024th overall pick in 1996
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 589
- Career stats: 25 wins, 3.98 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 7.8
#22. Matt Moore
- Draft: 245th overall pick in 2007
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 343
- Career stats: 68 wins, 4.38 earned run average, 1.39 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 8.4
#21. Shane McClanahan
- Draft: 31st overall pick in 2018
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 74
- Career stats: 33 wins, 3.02 earned run average, 1.10 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 8.7
#20. Nathaniel Lowe
- Draft: 390th overall pick in 2016
- Position: First baseman
- Games played: 586
- Career stats: 75 home runs, .272 batting average, .790 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 9.3
#19. Rocco Baldelli
- Draft: 6th overall pick in 2000
- Position: Outfielder
- Games played: 519
- Career stats: 60 home runs, .278 batting average, .766 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 10.2
#18. Wade Davis
- Draft: 75th overall pick in 2004
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 557
- Career stats: 63 wins, 3.94 earned run average, 1.30 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 10.3
#17. John Jaso
- Draft: 338th overall pick in 2003
- Position: Catcher
- Games played: 808
- Career stats: 55 home runs, .258 batting average, .763 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 10.9
#16. Jeremy Hellickson
- Draft: 118th overall pick in 2005
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 232
- Career stats: 76 wins, 4.13 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 11.3
#15. Jake Cronenworth
- Draft: 208th overall pick in 2015
- Position: Second baseman
- Games played: 551
- Career stats: 60 home runs, .250 batting average, .750 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 12.3
#14. Merrill Kelly
- Draft: 251st overall pick in 2010
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 131
- Career stats: 50 wins, 3.75 earned run average, 1.21 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 12.6
#13. Jason Hammel
- Draft: 284th overall pick in 2002
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 377
- Career stats: 96 wins, 4.62 earned run average, 1.37 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 13.1
#12. Desmond Jennings
- Draft: 289th overall pick in 2006
- Position: Outfielder
- Games played: 567
- Career stats: 55 home runs, .245 batting average, .716 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 13.4
#11. Brandon Lowe
- Draft: 87th overall pick in 2015
- Position: Second baseman
- Games played: 525
- Career stats: 107 home runs, .244 batting average, .814 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 14.1
#10. B.J. Upton
- Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2002
- Position: Shortstop
- Games played: 1,469
- Career stats: 164 home runs, .244 batting average, .723 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 16.8
#9. Alex Cobb
- Draft: 109th overall pick in 2006
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 230
- Career stats: 77 wins, 3.85 earned run average, 1.28 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 19.3
#8. Blake Snell
- Draft: 52nd overall pick in 2011
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 197
- Career stats: 71 wins, 3.35 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 20.2
#7. Aubrey Huff
- Draft: 162nd overall pick in 1998
- Position: Third baseman
- Games played: 1,681
- Career stats: 242 home runs, .278 batting average, .806 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 20.5
#6. Josh Hamilton
- Draft: 1st overall pick in 1999
- Position: Outfielder
- Games played: 1,027
- Career stats: 200 home runs, .290 batting average, .865 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 28.2
#5. James Shields
- Draft: 466th overall pick in 2000
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 407
- Career stats: 145 wins, 4.01 earned run average, 1.27 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 30.7
#4. Kevin Kiermaier
- Draft: 941st overall pick in 2010
- Position: Right fielder
- Games played: 1,085
- Career stats: 91 home runs, .248 batting average, .714 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 36.0
#3. Carl Crawford
- Draft: 52nd overall pick in 1999
- Position: Outfielder
- Games played: 1,716
- Career stats: 136 home runs, .290 batting average, .765 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 39.1
#2. David Price
- Draft: 1st overall pick in 2007
- Position: Pitcher
- Games played: 400
- Career stats: 157 wins, 3.32 earned run average, 1.16 walks plus hits per inning
- Wins above replacement: 40.2
#1. Evan Longoria
- Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006
- Position: Third baseman
- Games played: 1,986
- Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging
- Wins above replacement: 58.6
