MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help Rays in 2019

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEP 28: 2017 top international signee Wander Franco of the Rays lines a pitch for a hit during the Florida Instructional League (FIL) game between the FIL Braves and FIL Rays on September 28, 2017, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Jesus Sanchez, OF

Jesus Sanchez was named the Rays’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2017. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2014, he has lit up the Rays organization and the totality of the Minor Leagues. He played at the AA level in 2018, and slugged a nice line of .282/.324./..433 with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases.

Still just 21 years old, Sanchez has an incredibly high upside after being in professional baseball in the U.S. since he was just 17 years old. Sanchez is a very athletic player, with tons of five-tool technique that allows him to be useful on both sides of the plate. Perhaps the most impressive thing when looking at Sanchez’s career thus far is that, in most other farm leagues, he would be a no-doubter in challenging for the No. 1 prospect spot.

At such a young age, his ceiling remains virtually unpredictable, other than saying that he’s ceiling is high. His swing could use some work in terms of plate vision and discipline, but as one of the youngest players in the AA- and AAA-level for the Rays’ organization, he could see some viable opportunities this year if he can ride a hot streak.

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