The Tampa Bay Rays farm system continues to gain momentum across the industry. Another publication continues to highlight some of the top prospects in the organization, one regarded as one of the best in baseball at developing young talent. 

The Athletic released their updated Top 50 prospects, and two Rays players made the list. 

Theo Gillen, outfielder. No. 27

Nathan Flewelling, catcher, No. 47 

The Rays' top prospect is playing like it this season, and it is no surprise that he appeared on this list at 27. 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, with more power appearing at the plate. So far, across 36 games for the Hot Rods this season, the 20-year-old is hitting .306/.395/.604 with 9 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. 

The Athletic has concerns about his splits against lefties but believes he still has plenty of potential in the majors. "He's a plus runner and a 55 defender in center who keeps improving there and could end up plus, although if he can't stick there, he's going to left field because of limited arm strength. 

Rays catching prospect  Nathan Flewelling found himself on the Top 50, coming in at 47 on the updated list just a few weeks after breaking MLB Pipeline's Top 100. Flewelling has quickly made a name for himself in the minor leagues. 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. 

The best part of Flewelling's success, as the Athletic also noted, is that he projects to stay at catcher, giving the Rays a solid future option at the position. "He's absolutely staying behind the plate, which I know is good news for Rays fans who've been dying for a real catching prospect to come out of their system, and he's gone from "probably a future regular" to "this guy might be a two-way star." He has an All-Star ceiling, but some downside risk as a platoon bat."

Flewelling has continued his rise in 2026 and is currently hitting .294/.396/.559 with High-A Bowling Green. He may have only appeared in 39 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.