This story was excerpted from Adam Berry's Rays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ST. PETERSBURG -- Looking for a controllable starting pitcher to bolster their big league staff prior to the Trade Deadline, the Rays made the somewhat surprising decision to part with one of their top prospects to acquire Aaron Civale.

Getting Civale from Cleveland cost Tampa Bay first baseman Kyle Manzardo, one of the top four prospects in the Rays’ system at the time -- and someone who was nearly ready for the Majors, given his quick rise to Triple-A Durham. But Tampa Bay felt comfortable paying that price for a few reasons.

First, the club really wanted Civale and was thrilled to land someone of his ability who will be around for a few years beyond this season. The Rays also like their big league options at first base in Yandy Díaz, Luke Raley, Isaac Paredes and others. Finally, they trust the depth in their farm system -- and for good reason.

For all the talent the Rays have pushed from the Minors to the Majors over the past few years, including this season with former top prospect Taj Bradley and more recently Curtis Mead, they still have a ton of talent and depth in their system, especially on the position player side. Look no further for proof than MLB Pipeline’s freshly revamped list of Tampa Bay’s Top 30 Prospects.

The new list starts with seven consecutive hitters, ranging from a Major Leaguer (Mead) to a couple of recent MLB Draft picks just beginning their careers. Third baseman Junior Caminero has established himself as one of the best prospects in baseball. Shortstop Carson Williams has the makings of a future star. Mead earned his promotion despite missing time with an injury this season. Top 2022 MLB Draft pick Xavier Isaac might very well be the Rays’ future at first base. He’s followed by 2023 first-rounder Brayden Taylor, versatile Triple-A infielder Osleivis Basabe and athletic shortstop Adrian Santana, another 2023 pick.

There are only nine pitchers on the new Top 30 list, although a handful of arms have jumped out in the lower levels this season, including Santiago Suarez (No. 15), Marcus Johnson (No. 17), Trevor Martin (No. 18) and Yoniel Curet (No. 23).

Here's a look at the Rays' Top 5 prospects:
Junior Caminero, 3B/SS (MLB No. 6)
Carson Williams, SS (MLB No. 19)
Curtis Mead, 3B/2B (MLB No. 36)
Xavier Isaac, 1B
Brayden Taylor, SS/3B

Complete Top 30 list »

Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:

Jump
Dominic Keegan, C (Preseason: 25 | Midseason: 10)
The Rays have seen encouraging early returns from rising pitchers Suarez, Johnson, Martin and Curet. But Keegan is climbing because he looks like a rare prospect: a catcher who’s also an all-around offensive threat. Selected in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt University, Keegan has lived up to his reputation at the plate, earning a promotion from Single-A Charleston to High-A Bowling Green and hitting .300/.394/.475 with 10 homers in his first 87 games. He’s also taken strides to become a solid defensive catcher, increasing Tampa Bay’s belief that he will stick behind the plate.

Fall
JJ Goss, RHP (Preseason: 20 | Midseason: NR)
A few players tumbled down the list, including shortstop/outfielder Greg Jones (to No. 25) and shortstop Carlos Colmenarez (to No. 24), but Goss fell all the way out of the Top 30. He already had somewhat of an uninspiring profile, as a likely mid-rotation starter without a true plus pitch, and his command has backed up quite a bit this season. After posting a 4.81 strikeout-to-walk ratio last season, Goss had a 1.74 mark while recording a 4.77 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in his first 17 starts this year. He’s also been too hittable within the strike zone, with lefties doing considerable damage against the 36th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

New to the list
Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:

No. 5 Brayden Taylor, SS/3B (Draft)
No. 7 Adrian Santana, SS (Draft) 
No. 9 Colton Ledbetter, OF (Draft) 
No. 26 Tre’ Morgan, 1B (Draft)
No. 30 Trevor Harrison, RHP (Draft)

Impact callup
In a story last week, the MLB Pipeline crew tabbed Mead as Tampa Bay’s pick here. That proved prophetic, as the Australian infielder was recalled from Triple-A Durham only a few days later, eliminating him as an option here. But Jacob Lopez, Tampa Bay's No. 28 prospect, is another strong choice, especially with the Rays likely without ace left-hander Shane McClanahan the rest of the season.

Tampa Bay is expected to forgo a true fifth starter whenever possible the rest of this month, a possibility given how many off-days are on its August schedule, and Bradley seems like the most realistic option to round out its rotation when the club begins a stretch of 17 consecutive games without an off-day on Sept. 1, the same day rosters expand from 26 to 28 players.

But Lopez could wind up as part of the bulk-inning solution if the Rays must mix and match their way through the stretch run, as his performance has put him in the conversation with Josh Fleming and Cooper Criswell. A 26th-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, the left-hander put together a 2.67 ERA with 110 strikeouts and only 52 hits allowed in 84 1/3 innings over his first 21 appearances this season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 65 – Mead
Power: 60 – Isaac (Caminero, Williams, Heriberto Hernandez, Brailer Guerrero)
Run: 80 – Chandler Simpson (Santana)
Arm: 70 – Mason Auer
Defense: 65 – Morgan
Fastball: 65 – Curet
Curveball: 55 – Suarez
Slider: 60 – Curet (Cole Wilcox, Johnson)
Changeup: 55 – Mason Montgomery (Ian Seymour)
Control: 60 – Johnson