DRB Prospect Review: #29 Kenny Piper
The 26-year old backstop might be next in line for a shot at the big leagues
Over the offseason, the Draybay community takes part in an exercise in which we compile a list of 30 prospects in the Rays system based on popular vote.
Now that the 2024 season has concluded, we can look back at these rankings and see how each individual player performed.
We have already covered #30, Erick Lara.
We resume the reviews at #29.
29. Kenny Piper, C
The 26-year old Piper was originally selected by the Rays in the 18th round of the 2021 draft. Piper’s power at the plate is considered average at best, but has the coveted ability to generate plenty of loft in his swing. Since making his debut in 2021, no one has a higher flyball% than Piper. That offensive profile, combined with an improving defensive skill set makes Piper a solid catching prospect to watch with Baseball America dubbing him the ‘best all-around catcher with a decent bat, framing, and a strong arm’ in the Rays system.
Before the Season
A+ | .216/.333/.458 (.791, 115 wRC+) 270 PA, 13 HR, 3 SB
AA | .293/.389/.610 (.999 OPS, 160 wRC+) 95 PA, 7 HR, 0 SB
Where most hitters struggle the most when promoted to Double-A, Piper found a power stroke and went on a tear in his age-24 season, belting 7 HR in less than a hundred plate appearances once promoted to Montgomery. Was it simply a hot streak, or a legitimate improvement? We’ll have to find out. As an 18th round draft pick from 2021, Piper will be Rule 5 eligible at the end of this season, so time is of the essence. The draw here is plus power. His long swing is cocked and ready, and has enough speed to belt to all fields.
How it Went
It was a battle for playing time as Piper shared catching duties with the Rays top catching prospect, Dom Keegan, in Double-A. Piper performed well when given the opportunity and received a midseason promotion to Triple-A Durham, where he shared catching duties with Rene Pinto and Logan Driscoll. While in Triple-A, Piper struggled some but managed to showcase his power potential and lowered his strikeout numbers from Double-A.
Piper will be Rule-5 eligible this offseason and could be an alluring target for an opposing team, thus the Rays will likely need to add him to their 40-man roster this November.
Final 2024 Statline
AA: .217/.317/.382 | 7 HR | 2 SB | 29.6 K% | 11.1 BB% | 109 wRC+ | 243 PA
AAA: .188/.278/.386 | 5 HR | 3 SB | 28.7 K% | 9.6 BB% | 70 wRC+ | 115 PA