| IP | 9 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 2 |
| WHIP | 1.11 |
| BB/9 | 0 |
| SO/9 | 11 |
- Full name Marco Antonio Raya
- Born 08/07/2002 in Laredo, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School United South
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Drafted in the 4th round (128th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2020 (signed for $410,000).
View Draft Report
A 6-foot, 160-pound righthander with advanced ability to spin two breaking balls, Raya seemed to be steadily improving when the 2020 season was shut down. SIgned to play at Texas Tech, Raya already has a 90-94 mph fastball, but his curve and slider both have a shot to above-average. His curveball is an 80 mph power breaker while his slider will flash plus as well. He also flashes some feel for a changeup. Raya isn’t particularly big, and some scouts see him as close to maxed out-already, but if Raya gets to Texas Tech he could make an early impact.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 55/Extreme
Track Record: The Twins had just four picks in the shortened five-round 2020 draft. To this point, the top two picks--college hitters Aaron Sabato and Alerick Soularie--have struggled to live up to expectations. But the Twins’ two high school picks--Raya, a fourth-rounder; and outfielder Kala’i Rosario, a fifth-rounder--have given that draft hope. Raya’s stuff has continually impressed, but his slight, 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame and extremely limited workload has also raised concern. He made 22 starts in 2023, totaling 62.2 innings and carved up High-A competition before meeting more resistance with Double-A Wichita, where he racked up a 5.28 ERA in 29 innings.
Scouting Report: Raya has some of the best stuff of any Twins’ starting pitching prospect. His 94-96 mph fastball has above-average carry at the top of the zone, but his nearly double-plus slider and above-average curveball are even more impressive than his fastball. Raya’s slider has above-average horizontal movement, and he has the ability to get swings-and-misses in the zone with it. He actually has better command of his slider than his fastball. Raya is very athletic, helping him field his position like a middle infielder and repeat his delivery. He throws a slower low-80s curveball with plenty of depth. He throws strikes with his curve, which shows above-average potential. He has average control.
The Future: The biggest question surrounding Raya continues to be his durability. Raya averaged just 45 pitches per start in 2023 and never threw 60 pitches. He has yet to throw 80 pitches in any pro game. Until he shows he can turn over a lineup multiple times and maintain his stuff for five-plus innings, it’s difficult to know how well he can fare as a starter. His stuff would also excel in the bullpen. While Raya should start 2024 in Wichita, Triple-A St. Paul is beckoning before too long.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Track Record: Raya was a pitcher trending in the right direction when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown ended the 2020 high school season in mid March. The Twins nabbed him in the fourth round with the 128th overall pick and signed him for $410,000. So far, Raya has looked like a steal. He has shown feel for four pitches, throws strikes and is an excellent competitor on the mound. He missed the entire 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and made his pro debut with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022.
Scouting Report: Raya has some of the best stuff in the Twins' organization, with a 93-95 mph four-seam fastball with riding life that comes in on a flat plane thanks to his short stature. He already has two quality breaking pitches, and his changeup made strides in 2022. Raya's average changeup has more deception and depth than it had coming into 2022 thanks to a new split-change grip he learned from fellow Twins prospect Matt Canterino. Raya's plus slider has both depth and sweep, and he already has feel for locating it in the zone or down and out for chases as needed. His bigger, slower, high-70s curveball is above-average with plenty of depth. It can be a bat-misser, like his slider. He has average control.
The Future: With four major league-caliber pitches, Raya has the ingredients to be am MLB starter. He's got a lot of development ahead to get to that point, and his biggest focus will be on adding strength and durability. His legs are skinny and could use some more mass. Raya topped 65 pitches in just six of his 19 outings in 2022, which explains why he threw just 65 innings. He needs to add weight and show he can more consistently get through five or six innings. He should be bound for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50 -
Track Record: Raya was an arrow-up player during his senior season in high school prior to the 2020 season being shut down, but the Twins still liked his upside and feel for spin enough to sign him for $410,000 in the fourth round. There’s a lot of unknown with Raya, as he missed the 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and has yet to make an official pro start.
Scouting Report: Despite Raya’s lack of professional track record, Minnesota is still high on the 6-foot rightander’s upside and stuff. While he didn’t pitch an official game in the 2021 season, he joined the team in instructs and reportedly had his fastball sitting at 97 mph consistently in a short outing, with a good slider and curveball. His fastball sat in the 92-93 mph range as an amateur, but it’s still up in the air what sort of fastball quality he will have over the course of a professional season. His breaking balls have both shown promise at times and he seems to have an innate feel for spinning the ball, while his changeup quality is to be determined. While Raya isn’t physically imposing, he’s worked hard over the last few years to add strength to his frame.
The Future: Raya is one of the bigger question marks in the system and should finally make his pro debut in 2022, when he’ll still be in his age-19 season.
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TRACK RECORD: One of the youngest players in the 2020 draft class, Raya's draft stock was trending up before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the high school season. The Twins liked what they saw enough in a small sample to draft him in the fourth round and sign him for $410,000 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. Raya made his organizational debut in instructional league after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Raya is undersized but shows a solid four-pitch mix and an advanced ability to spin two breaking balls. His fastball sits 92-93 mph and will touch 95-96 mph, but it's presently flat and will need to add some sort of movement in the future. Raya shows a natural feel to spin the ball. His average curveball is ahead of his fringe-average slider at the moment, but both have room to grow. Raya's changeup also projects fringe-average. Raya's idol is Marcus Stroman as a 6-foot righthander, and scouts think his delivery mirrors Stroman's.
THE FUTURE: Raya has back-of-the-rotation potential if he continues to fill out and add strength. He'll make his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2021.
Draft Prospects
-
A 6-foot, 160-pound righthander with advanced ability to spin two breaking balls, Raya seemed to be steadily improving when the 2020 season was shut down. SIgned to play at Texas Tech, Raya already has a 90-94 mph fastball, but his curve and slider both have a shot to above-average. His curveball is an 80 mph power breaker while his slider will flash plus as well. He also flashes some feel for a changeup. Raya isn’t particularly big, and some scouts see him as close to maxed out-already, but if Raya gets to Texas Tech he could make an early impact.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Track Record: Raya was a pitcher trending in the right direction when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown ended the 2020 high school season in mid March. The Twins nabbed him in the fourth round with the 128th overall pick and signed him for $410,000. So far, Raya has looked like a steal. He has shown feel for four pitches, throws strikes and is an excellent competitor on the mound. He missed the entire 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and made his pro debut with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022.
Scouting Report: Raya has some of the best stuff in the Twins' organization, with a 93-95 mph four-seam fastball with riding life that comes in on a flat plane thanks to his short stature. He already has two quality breaking pitches, and his changeup made strides in 2022. Raya's average changeup has more deception and depth than it had coming into 2022 thanks to a new split-change grip he learned from fellow Twins prospect Matt Canterino. Raya's plus slider has both depth and sweep, and he already has feel for locating it in the zone or down and out for chases as needed. His bigger, slower, high-70s curveball is above-average with plenty of depth. It can be a bat-misser, like his slider. He has average control.
The Future: With four major league-caliber pitches, Raya has the ingredients to be am MLB starter. He's got a lot of development ahead to get to that point, and his biggest focus will be on adding strength and durability. His legs are skinny and could use some more mass. Raya topped 65 pitches in just six of his 19 outings in 2022, which explains why he threw just 65 innings. He needs to add weight and show he can more consistently get through five or six innings. He should be bound for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50 -
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Track Record: Raya was a pitcher trending in the right direction when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown ended the 2020 high school season in mid March. The Twins nabbed him in the fourth round with the 128th overall pick and signed him for $410,000. So far, Raya has looked like a steal. He has shown feel for four pitches, throws strikes and is an excellent competitor on the mound. He missed the entire 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and made his pro debut with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022.
Scouting Report: Raya has some of the best stuff in the Twins' organization, with a 93-95 mph four-seam fastball with riding life that comes in on a flat plane thanks to his short stature. He already has two quality breaking pitches, and his changeup made strides in 2022. Raya's average changeup has more deception and depth than it had coming into 2022 thanks to a new split-change grip he learned from fellow Twins prospect Matt Canterino. Raya's plus slider has both depth and sweep, and he already has feel for locating it in the zone or down and out for chases as needed. His bigger, slower, high-70s curveball is above-average with plenty of depth. It can be a bat-misser, like his slider. He has average control.
The Future: With four major league-caliber pitches, Raya has the ingredients to be am MLB starter. He's got a lot of development ahead to get to that point, and his biggest focus will be on adding strength and durability. His legs are skinny and could use some more mass. Raya topped 65 pitches in just six of his 19 outings in 2022, which explains why he threw just 65 innings. He needs to add weight and show he can more consistently get through five or six innings. He should be bound for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50 -
BA Grade: 50/High
Track Record:: Raya was an arrow-up player during his senior season in high school prior to the 2020 season being shut down, but the Twins still liked his upside and feel for spin enough to sign him for $410,000 in the fourth round. There's a lot of unknown with Raya, as he missed the 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and has yet to make an official pro start.
Scouting Report: Despite Raya's lack of professional track record, Minnesota is still high on the 6-foot rightander's upside and stuff. While he didn't pitch an official game in the 2021 season, he joined the team in instructs and reportedly had his fastball sitting at 97 mph consistently in a short outing, with a good slider and curveball. His fastball sat in the 92-93 mph range as an amateur, but it's still up in the air what sort of fastball quality he will have over the course of a professional season. His breaking balls have both shown promise at times and he seems to have an innate feel for spinning the ball, while his changeup quality is to be determined. While Raya isn't physically imposing, he's worked hard over the last few years to add strength to his frame.
The Future: Raya is one of the bigger question marks in the system and should finally make his pro debut in 2022, when he'll still be in his age-19 season.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 55. Curveball: 50. Cutter: 45. Control: 50. -
Track Record: Raya was an arrow-up player during his senior season in high school prior to the 2020 season being shut down, but the Twins still liked his upside and feel for spin enough to sign him for $410,000 in the fourth round. There’s a lot of unknown with Raya, as he missed the 2021 season with shoulder fatigue and has yet to make an official pro start.
Scouting Report: Despite Raya’s lack of professional track record, Minnesota is still high on the 6-foot rightander’s upside and stuff. While he didn’t pitch an official game in the 2021 season, he joined the team in instructs and reportedly had his fastball sitting at 97 mph consistently in a short outing, with a good slider and curveball. His fastball sat in the 92-93 mph range as an amateur, but it’s still up in the air what sort of fastball quality he will have over the course of a professional season. His breaking balls have both shown promise at times and he seems to have an innate feel for spinning the ball, while his changeup quality is to be determined. While Raya isn’t physically imposing, he’s worked hard over the last few years to add strength to his frame.
The Future: Raya is one of the bigger question marks in the system and should finally make his pro debut in 2022, when he’ll still be in his age-19 season.
-
TRACK RECORD: One of the youngest players in the 2020 draft class, Raya's draft stock was trending up before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the high school season. The Twins liked what they saw enough in a small sample to draft him in the fourth round and sign him for $410,000 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. Raya made his organizational debut in instructional league after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Raya is undersized but shows a solid four-pitch mix and an advanced ability to spin two breaking balls. His fastball sits 92-93 mph and will touch 95-96 mph, but it's presently flat and will need to add some sort of movement in the future. Raya shows a natural feel to spin the ball. His average curveball is ahead of his fringe-average slider at the moment, but both have room to grow. Raya's changeup also projects fringe-average. Raya's idol is Marcus Stroman as a 6-foot righthander, and scouts think his delivery mirrors Stroman's.
THE FUTURE: Raya has back-of-the-rotation potential if he continues to fill out and add strength. He'll make his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: One of the youngest players in the 2020 draft class, Raya's draft stock was trending up before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the high school season. The Twins liked what they saw enough in a small sample to draft him in the fourth round and sign him for $410,000 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. Raya made his organizational debut in instructional league after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Raya is undersized but shows a solid four-pitch mix and an advanced ability to spin two breaking balls. His fastball sits 92-93 mph and will touch 95-96 mph, but it's presently flat and will need to add some sort of movement in the future. Raya shows a natural feel to spin the ball. His average curveball is ahead of his fringe-average slider at the moment, but both have room to grow. Raya's changeup also projects fringe-average. Raya's idol is Marcus Stroman as a 6-foot righthander, and scouts think his delivery mirrors Stroman's.
THE FUTURE: Raya has back-of-the-rotation potential if he continues to fill out and add strength. He'll make his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2021.
Career Transactions
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RHP Marco Raya assigned to Wichita Wind Surge from Cedar Rapids Kernels.
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Cedar Rapids Kernels activated RHP Marco Raya from the 7-day injured list.
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RHP Marco Raya assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels.
