DRB Prospect Review: #8 Jonny DeLuca

22.11.2024 17:00

DRays Bay

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Jonny DeLuca looks to have a bright future with the Tampa Bay Rays

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.

Reminder, this is a review of the prospects ranked heading into the 2024 season. This is not an updated ranking. Draysbay will begin the voting for the 2025 community top prospects later this offseason.

We have already covered the following:

We resume the reviews at #8.

8. Jonny DeLuca

Before the Season

25 | BT: R/R | 5’ 11” | 196

AA | .279/.380/.590 (.970 OPS, 150 wRC+) 142 PA, 10 HR, 9 SB

AAA | .306/.397/.548 (.945 OPS, 125 wRC+) 184 PA, 7 HR, 3 SB

MLB | .262/.311/.429 (.740 OPS, 102 wRC+) 45 PA, 2 HR, 1 SB

Acquired from the Dodgers as the heir apparent to Manuel Margot’s roster spot, the athletic outfielder had a somewhat unexpected and rapid ascent over the past two years through the Dodgers system after signing as a $300k 25th rounder in 2019. He has an all-out swing that will remind attentive Rays fans of Jordan Luplow, but with an advantageous penchant to pull the ball with regularity. Also, don’t let the count of SB’s fool you, he has top of the charts speed. Expect to see DeLuca on the Opening Day roster.

How it Went

Entering Spring Training, DeLuca seemed prime to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, DeLuca was hit by a pitch in mid-March and suffered a fractured hand. After a brief rehab assignment in Triple-A Durham, DeLuca made his Rays debut on May 3rd. DeLuca stuck on the active roster for the rest of the season. DeLuca enjoyed a hot start to his Rays tenure, followed by an abysmal slump. He eventually regained his offensive footing and posted a 104 wRC+ over his final 50 games of the season. Meanwhile, DeLuca proved himself to be a well above average outfielder capable of playing all three spots; DeLuca excelled during his time in right field specifically.

Final 2024 Statline

AAA: .300/.440/.650 | 2 HR | 1 SB | 4.0 K% | 16.0 BB% | 179 wRC+ | 25 PA
MLB: .217/.278/.331 | 6 HR | 16 SB | 21.3 K% | 6.6 BB% | 77 wRC+ | 362 PA | 0.9 fWAR

Jonny DeLuca graduated from prospect consideration. There will be no prospect poll for him.