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Tampa Bay Rays 2018 minor league awards

By Benjamin Chase

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: Willy Adames #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes the play and throws out the baserunner in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: Willy Adames #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes the play and throws out the baserunner in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Hitter of the Year: Nathaniel Lowe

Level(s): high-A Charlotte, AA Montgomery, AAA Durham
Stats: .330/.416/.568, 130 G, 555 PA, 32 2B, 27 HR, 102 RBI, 68/90 BB/K

After being a 13th round selection in 2016, Nathaniel Lowe entered pro ball being older and position-limited, so he would require tremendous hitting in order to be noted. In his first two years, he really didn’t do this, combining for 11 home runs over roughly 750 plate appearances, but he broke out in 2018.

Starting out in high-A Charlotte in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. After hitting big there and in AA, he ran into more of a challenge in AAA, still posting nearly an .800 OPS, but seeing some struggle compared to earlier levels.

Overall, across three levels, Lowe scored 93 runs and drove in 102 runs. He will likely open 2019 in AAA, but he could push for a role in the big league club quickly if he can continue his breakout next season.

Runners-up

If there wasn’t one of the top 5 full-year seasons in all of the minors ahead of him, Wander Franco’s impressive 2018 in the Appalachian League would have been the top spot in the system. Franco hit .351/.418/.587 over 61 games with 10 doubles, 7 triples, and 11 home runs, posting a 27/19 BB/K ratio. He also showed adequate defense at shortstop as well. Franco’s likely moved himself into top 10-15 prospect status in all of baseball at just 17 years old and will be one to track going forward.

As other players had brilliant seasons in 2018, many missed the incredible numbers that Vidal Brujan put up across both A-ball levels. Working from the top of the order with elite speed, Brujan hit .320/.403/.459, and he hit 25 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, and stole an incredible 55 bases over 122 games. It is feasible that Brujan will open 2019 at AA at 21 years old.

The “other” Lowe in the farm system, Brandon Lowe made his way to the major league club this season and was very impressive in his time there with his defensive flexibility and ability to provide both power and speed. Lowe hit .297/.391/.558 in 100 games between AA and AAA before hitting .233/.324/.450 in 43 major league games. Between major and minor leagues, he hit 28 home runs and stole 10 bases.

Taken from Florida State in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft, Taylor Walls spent the 2018 season with low-A Bowling Green, working at the top of the lineup. He put up a .304/.393/.428 line with 28 doubles, 6 triples, 6 home runs, and 31 steals.

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