DRB Prospect Review: #30 Erick Lara

Lara had a less than stellar first year within the Rays organization

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 kick off the reviews at #30.

30. Erick Lara, SS

Lara is an 18-year old infielder signed by the Miami Marlins as an international free agent during the 2022-2023 signing period. He made his professional debut in 2023 and hit well in the Dominican Summer League. The Rays made sure to acquire Lara in the trade that sent Vidal Brujan to the Marlins last November. This past January, Baseball America tabbed Lara as a potential breakout prospect in the Rays system due to his offensive potential and projectability but also noted that he had ‘massive risk’ as well.

Before the Season

17 | BT: L/R | 6’ 2” | 165

2023: DSL | .305/.416/.445 (.861 OPS, 133 wRC+) 154 PA, 2 HR, 5 SB

The latest teenage trade acquisition for the Rays, Lara is a 17-year old 6’2” shortstop with a loose, left handed swing with feel. With a prospect this far off, it’s an open question as to how his body will fill out, but he’s got a solid approach at the plate and enough bat speed to provide a distant power projection. He’s expected to get the promotion to the complex league for his age-18 season.

How it Went

Erik Lara moved stateside for the 2024 season, playing the full year in the Complex League. The power that Lara showcased in the Dominican in 2023 eluded him during his 33 games this Summer as he hit just .167/.290/.222 with 0 HR and 5 stolen bases, registering a 52 wRC+. Among the 202 players in the CPX with at least 130 plate appearances, Lara had the 9th lowest wRC+.

A positive from Lara’s Summer was his consistent ability to draw walks with an average strikeout rate. Lara just turned 18 in June, so there is still plenty of time for the Rays to wait on his development, but it’s fair to say that his first season with the Rays organization was a disappointment.

Final 2024 Statline
CPX: .167/.290/.222 | 0 HR | 5 SB | 22.7 K% | 15.2 BB% | 52 wRC+ | 132 PA | 33 Games