Our All Time Top 50 Tampa Bay Rays have been revised to reflect the 2024 Season.
Yes, we know that this is taking a while!
As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Tampa Bay Rays.
As for all of our top 50 players in baseball, we look at the following:
1. Advanced Statistics.
2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League.
3. Playoff accomplishments.
4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.
Please note that our algorithm has changed, which yielded minor changes throughout the baseball lists.
Last year, the Rays finished 80-82 and missed the playoffs. There were two new entrants and multiple elevations coming from the 2024 season.
As always, we present our top five, which saw one change.
3. Ben Zobrist
5. David Price
You can find the entire list here.
Based on the revisions, Kiermaier overtook Price for #4.
Brandon Lowe moved up from #16 to #9.
Third Baseman Yandy Diaz was not able to move past last year’s #10.
Outfielder Randy Arozarena, who was traded to Seattle during the season, advanced two spots to #17.
Pitcher Zach Eflin, who was traded to Baltimore during last season, enters at #50.
We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.
48. Zach Eflin
When Zach Eflin became a free agent after the 2022 season, he was widely respected across the league as a reliable mid-rotation pitcher who had spent seven years overcoming recurring knee issues in Philadelphia. Eager to help him reach his full potential, the Tampa Bay Rays made a bold move in the open market, offering him a three-year, $40 million deal — the largest free-agent contract guaranteed to an outside player in franchise history. Eflin quickly showed his appreciation for this incredible show of faith by delivering what is truly the standout performance of his career.
Entering the forefront of the St. Petersburg rotation in 2023, Eflin effectively managed opposing batters through a combination of immaculate control and an elite, substantial sinker. He pitched a career-high 177.2 innings over 31 starts, establishing himself as a leading workhorse for Kevin Cash. He led the entire American League with 16 wins and complemented this traditional success with remarkable efficiency, ultimately finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting. In an organization globally recognized for its pitching development, Eflin swiftly developed into a trusted leader within the pitching staff.
He returned in 2024 to provide another highly durable, frontline baseline, logging 19 starts and maintaining a crisp 4.09 ERA over 110 innings through the first four months of the summer. However, with the ballclub fading out of the postseason picture and operating with an eye toward future payroll flexibility, the front office adhered to its signature long-term playbook. Prior to the July trade deadline, the Rays traded the veteran right-hander to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a trio of prospects.
As a Ray, Eflin made 50 appearances (all starts). He compiled a stellar 21–15 record with a 3.72 ERA and an immaculate 1.08 WHIP, striking out 271 batters against just 37 walks over 287.2 innings pitched.
