27. Tyler Glasnow

When the Tampa Bay Rays made the high-profile trade to send Chris Archer to Pittsburgh in July 2018, they weren't just rebuilding—they were fundamentally reshaping their pitching future. Austin Meadows and Shane Baz were important parts of the return, but Tyler Glasnow, standing 6-foot-8, had the most exciting potential. Although his first two months in St. Petersburg were challenging, with a 1–5 record and a 4.20 ERA over 11 starts, the front office recognized that his high-velocity, top-tier pitching was a powerful, yet volatile, asset waiting to be unleashed.

That explosion happened the following spring. Glasnow started strong in 2019, earning American League Pitcher of the Month for April. As he was establishing himself as a true ace, a serious forearm strain sidelined him for nearly four months. He came back just in time for the final stretch, ending a shortened regular season with a remarkable 6–1 record and a tiny 1.78 ERA over 12 starts.

The shortened 2020 season was tumultuous for the big right-hander. Despite a 5–1 record and a higher 4.08 ERA in the regular season, his dominant raw stuff continued to be a key asset. He struck out 91 batters in only 57.1 innings and became a key part of the postseason rotation, guiding the franchise to an American League pennant and a World Series appearance.

By 2021, Glasnow appeared unstoppable, boasting a sub-1.00 WHIP, a 5–2 record, and a 2.66 ERA. Sadly, a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in mid-June abruptly ended his rise. The Tommy John surgery that followed wiped out the rest of that season and nearly all of 2022. Demonstrating his relentless work ethic, he returned in 2023, posting a promising 10–7 record over 21 starts. He also achieved career-highs with 120 innings and 162 strikeouts, reaffirming his status as a top-tier pitcher capable of missing bats.

Facing rising arbitration costs, the Rays traded veteran right-hander Glasnow to the Dodgers before 2024. His time in St. Petersburg is a ‘what-if' due to injuries, but his record of 27–16 and 526 strikeouts over 388.1 innings reflects a peak of high efficiency that contributed to Tampa Bay's golden era.