Tampa Bay Rays prospect Ty Johnson could make his MLB debut when rosters expand in September. The Rays' No. 10 prospect has dominated since moving to the bullpen and could become another weapon for Kevin Cash during Tampa Bay's 2026 playoff push.
The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the final month of the season leading the entire American League.
Although they had a great MLB trade deadline, adding key pieces for a deep postseason run, there is still an opportunity to improve the roster before the postseason arrives.
On Tuesday, when September arrives, each MLB team will be able to add two extra slots to their active roster. The size will increase to 28 players for the final month of the regular season.
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report compiled a list of 10 players they believe are MLB-ready for a call-up this coming week. One Tampa Bay Rays pitcher was listed. It's believed that right-handed pitcher Ty Johnson, who is seen, according to MLB Pipeline, as the team's tenth-best prospect in the organization, has the tools and experience ready for the next level as well as an MLB debut.
"The Rays acquired Ty Johnson from the Cubs in the Isaac Paredes deal at the 2024 trade deadline, and over the past two seasons he has carried a 34.6 percent strikeout rate in the upper levels of the minors, says B/R writer Joel Reuter. "He was moved to the bullpen at the end of July in advance of a potential call-up, and he has a .161 opponents' batting average and 14.0 K/9 in 9.2 innings as a reliever."
Johnson found his name being discussed early last month when trade speculation was swirling for the Rays' roster.
However, Erik Neander and the rest of the Rays' front office decided to keep him, and it could be for this exact moment to call him up at the end of the regular season. His recent transition to the bullpen at the end of last month shows us exactly that as a potential plan for the Rays as they look for their first-ever World Series title.
"Despite a more traditional starting staff than usual with Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, Nick Martinez and deadline pickup Freddy Peralta all capable of pitching deep into games, Tampa Bay has always done an excellent job fully utilizing its bullpen," say Reuter. "With a dynamic fastball-slider combination, Johnson has the stuff to make an immediate splash in shorter stints, with his wipeout slider a legitimate putaway pitch that could earn him some high-leverage opportunities."
Johnson could find himself replacing the role of Garrett Cleavinger or even Steven Matz once the season comes down to crunch time in the postseason, if they believe his stuff is better at that moment.
He could come in in high-leverage situations as a specialist or in a cleanup role to prepare the back end of the bullpen for Kevin Cash and the rest of the team.
One thing that has gone really well for the Rays this season is the back end of the bullpen, led by Bryan Baker, who has the most saves in the league this season, as well as setup man Kevin Kelly and recently acquired Tyler Wells.
There definitely is a spot for Johnson to make an impact as soon as next week, when the call-ups are available.
