Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good?

To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: Tied for 21st

Team Strengths

The Rays have an abundance of talented middle infielders. Shortstop Taylor Walls is challenged as a hitter(.188 BA in 1,080 career at-bats) but his terrific glove keeps him on the field. He ranked 2nd in Runs Saved at shortstop last season despite ranking 28th in innings played.

Most Defensive Runs – Shortstops in 2024

Once Ha-Seong Kim gets fully healthy from October surgery to fix a torn labrum, he’ll be a plus defender wherever the Rays place him. He saved 10 runs at second base in 2023, so he’d be an easy fit there.

Team Weaknesses

With the trade of center fielder Jose Siri to the Mets, the Rays don’t have much else to be excited about defensively. The best Rays defenders are in the minor leagues, as you’ll read below.

Danny Jansen is projected to be the starting catcher but the formerly good ex-Blue Jay totaled -11 Runs Saved last season and rated poorly at both strike throwing and stopping basestealers.

Yandy Diaz is a much, much better hitter than fielder He finished with -5 Runs Saved at first base last season, a dip from 0 in 2023. In 2022, he totaled -14 at third base.

Other Things To Know

It looks like Jonny DeLuca is going to play center field rather than a corner spot. Of the current Rays projected outfield starters, DeLuca would seem to have the highest ceiling given that he’s one of the fastest players in baseball, which allows him to chase down a lot of balls. But being a great center fielder is difficult given how good even an average center fielder is. DeLuca had -1 Run Saved in about a quarter-season in center last year and posted 6 Runs Saved in slightly more time in right field.

The Rays have two of the best defensive prospects in the minor leagues, though you may not see them this season. Shortstop Carson Williams tied for 2nd among minor league shortstops in Runs Saved in 2024. The Rays have given him a full year at all three levels he’s played at, so he might spend the whole season or close to it in Triple-A.

First baseman Tre’ Morgan finished with 1 Run Saved there last season but got an 80 future grade on the 20-80 scouting scale in FanGraphs’ evaluation of the top 100 minor league prospects. He’s still a bit away from the majors, as he’s played only 21 games above A-ball.

Are The Rays A Good Defensive Team?

Not now, but in a year they could be a lot closer to being a good one than they are at the moment.