Corey Ray Named To The 2017 U.S. Futures All Star Team

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Ray passed on an opportunity to turn pro as the Mariners’ 33rd-round pick in 2013 and instead honored his commitment to Louisville, where he enjoyed a breakout campaign as a sophomore and then continued to star during the summer for the U.S. collegiate national team. As a result, Ray ranked as the Dr aft’s top position prospect entering 2016 based on his combination of hitting and athletic ability, and he backed up that title by hitting 15 homers with 44 steals as a junior. The Brewers made him the fifth-overall pick in June, gave him $4,125,000 — the largest bonus in club history — and then an aggressive assignment to the Florida State League for his pro debut.

With a quick left-handed bat and a knack for making hard contact, Ray projects to hit for both power and average from the left side of the plate. There’s 20-homer potential in his bat, perhaps even more if he can become more comfortable driving the ball the other way. Ray did a better job of managing the strike zone last spring and then during his pro debut, but he still struggles at times to recognize spin, resulting in some swing-and-miss tendencies. Ray’s plus speed makes him a consistent threat on the basepaths and also serves him well in center field, where he spent his entire pro debut after manning right field exclusively at Louisville.

Ray suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during instructional league and underwent subsequent surgery in October. After recovering, Ray’s combination of power and speed could help him to jump on the fast track to the big leagues in his first full season.