Rays finish Draft deals with 4th-rounder Murray
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ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays agreed to terms with fourth-round Draft pick Tanner Murray on Friday, as they've now locked up all six of their 2020 Draft picks. According to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, Murray's deal is for slot value, which is $455,600.
Murray adds more infield depth to an organization that has no shortage of talent in the Minors. Murray played shortstop at UC Davis, but he has the ability to move around in the infield, if needed.
Murray was an All-Big West Conference first-team selection in 2019, after hitting .364 in 195 at-bats. Despite his productive sophomore season, Murray’s Draft stock took a hit after struggling at the plate during the Cape Cod League, as he struck out 27 times and hit .211.
Murray's ability at the plate is his strongest tool, but the fact that he couldn't put out more film during his junior season, which was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, might have hurt his stock. Once Murray was still available in the fourth round, the Rays pounced on the opportunity to take the talented infielder.
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“We spent a good amount of time scouting him this fall at UC Davis,” Rays senior director of amateur scouting Rob Metzler said. “We’re happy with the progress. We really identified his defensive ability at shortstop and plus contact skills. Through the fall and into the spring, he was showing strength gains and somebody whose offensive profile was coming on as well.”
Murray was the last piece to complete the Rays' Draft class, which the team believes can be a successful one. Fifth-rounder Jeff Hakanson was the first player to agree to a deal last week, with third-rounder Hunter Barnhart and Competitive Balance Round A selection Alika Williams coming to terms shortly after. Earlier this week, the Rays agreed to a deal with first-rounder Nick Bitsko for a $3 million signing bonus, and the club came to terms with second-rounder Ian Seymour on Thursday.
“I thought it was a great, great outcome,” Metzler said of the Draft class. “There are players that across the board are talented prospects that have the physical ability, the mental ability to make up aptitude, to complete their way through our system and then have impactful roles.”