The Tampa Bay Rays continue proving they have one of baseball’s top farm systems as Theo Gillen, Brady Hopkins, and Nathan Flewelling all appeared in MLB Pipeline’s updated Top 100 prospects rankings for the 2026 season.
The Tampa Bay Rays farm system continues to be regarded as one of the best in baseball at developing young talent. And with the recent announcement, that statement remains true as we approach the second half of the 2026 season.
The future continues to look bright for the Rays as MLB Pipeline released its updated top 100 on Wednesday, and Tampa Bay had three players featured on the most recent list.
Prospects on Top 100
Theo Gillen, outfielder. No. 43
Brady Hopkins, right-handed pitcher, No. 85
Nathan Flewelling, catcher, No. 90
Theo Gillen Make One of the List's Biggest Jumps
The Rays top prospect is playing like it this season, and it is no surprise that he was one of the biggest risers in the latest Top 100 list across all 30 organizations. The young outfielder moved up 16 spots in the recent update to 43rd. Gillen is starting to show off some better defensive skills, including a stronger, more accurate arm and consistent playing time at center field for High-A Bowling Green.
His bat is also starting to show potential as more power is beginning to appear at the plate. So far, across 26 games for the Hot Rods this season, the 20-year-old is hitting .289/.404/.622 with 8 home runs. To put his increase in pop more into context, he only put 5 balls over the fence in 2025 across 73 games. He is definitely heading in the right direction; however, MLB Pipeline still estimates his arrival in the big leagues won’t happen until 2028.
Hopkins Finds Himself Falling in Rankings
It wasn’t all good news for Tampa Bay, as right-handed pitching prospect Brady Hopkins still found himself on the Top 100 updated list, but potentially not for long. The former 6th-round selection for the Rays was one of the list's biggest droppers, falling 18 spots down to number 86.
The 6’4” righty has seen his numbers inflate early in the year with his promotion to Triple-A Durham. His 3.79 ERA is not much to be concerned about, but his 31 walks across 35.2 innings might. Getting his control more consistent at the highest level in the minor leagues will be critical, as he waits for his chance at his MLB Debut.
Nathan Flewelling Rewarded Following Spring Breakout
After the graduation of Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter, Rays catching prospect Nathan Flewelling found himself on the Top 100 on May 10th, just three days before the new updated list was announced. So, although technically he isn’t seen as a “new face” on the recent update, Flewelling has quickly made a name for himself in the minor leagues. He appears at 90 on the list with plenty of room to grow. When drafted at only the age of 17 as Tampa Bay’s 3rd round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, he proved he was ready as he quickly pushed in Single-A Charleston.
Flewelling has continued his rise in 2026 and is currently hitting .295/.380/.552 with High-A Bowling Green. He also played a major role in the Rays defeating the New York Mets squad in the Spring Breakout showcase earlier in the year, driving in a run and catching for five innings. He may have only appeared in 34 games at High-A, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take the jump to Double-A Montgomery in the second half of the year.
Tampa Bay Continues to be towards the top in AL East development
With recent graduations from former Rays prospects such as Carson Williams, Tampa Bay still finds themselves in good shape compared to other teams inside their own division. The team’s three players inside the top 100 are tied for third best in the American League East, one of the most competitive divisions in all of baseball. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox lead the way with four each on the list, the Toronto Blue Jays matched the Rays with three, and the Baltimore Orioles bring up the rear with two prospects on the updated list.