​Welcome to Day 2 of the MLB draft, which also marks the Rays’ retirement of their No. 3 jersey. Will the organization discover its next retired number today? Below are the players, their schools, and the round/pick for each selection, with writeups from MLB Pipeline and beyond.
Tampa Bay kicked off Day 2 just as they wrapped up Day 1, starting with a surprise pick that wasn’t at the top of MLB Pipeline’s board. This time they grabbed a standout from the University of Arizona’s rotation, a pitcher who has added velocity this season. With his tall, slender frame and flashes of an easy fastball, Kramkowski has drawn comparisons to T.J. Nichols, a former Arizona hurler and current Rays prospect. The 6-foot-3 right-hander leans on a sinking fastball and slider pairing. His heater is a bowling-ball type pitch that sat up to 98 mph this fall but hovered around the 92-93 mph range in 2025 as a starter, which still generates very high ground-ball rates. He backs it up with an upper-70s slider that features decent three-quarter traditional tilt. He’s also begun to lean more on an average mid-80s cutter this spring. Kramkowski threw a lot of strikes last year, walking only 1.8 per nine innings, and continued to post strong control in 2026. Yet, command remains a step below elite, and at times he can overwhelm hitters with the plate and get hit.
A two-way star who transferred from Duke, Johnson is projected to pitch professionally rather than hit. Despite a somewhat rough stat line, scouts remain optimistic about Johnson’s athleticism and his upside as a pitcher, with the potential to develop into a major league contributor. He offers as many as five pitches, beginning with a fastball that averages just over 93 mph but can peak at 97-98 mph this spring, showing some riding life when he’s elevated in the zone. His slider, clocking at 83-84 mph, has a hammer-like 1-to-7 shape and can miss bats. He also features a distinct upper-70s curve and can throw a harder 86-88 mph cutter. His changeup sits in the low 80s, used more than any other secondary offering, delivered downhill with arm-side sink and movement to both sides of the plate. Johnson has not been a consistent strike-thrower, carrying a career 4.6 BB/9 entering NCAA Regional play this year (5.1 per nine in 2026). Still, the raw ingredients suggest significant upside, with some teams deeming him worthy of a top-five-round pick, believing there’s untapped gear to unlock once he focuses on pitching full-time.
An intriguing pick because the Rays may need to allocate funds to secure a signature from a clear Day 1 talent. Rice could be a top-two or top-three-round selection were it not for concerns about his physicality and his commitment to Auburn. However, his combination of a deep repertoire and polish has earned him plenty of believers among evaluators. He’s built in the mold of Tim Hudson, with a similar style to the four-time All-Star. He contributed both runs in the Georgia 3-A championship game, underscoring his impact in clutch moments and adding another layer to his potential as a future professional.
In summary, Day 2 opened with a mix of surprise selections and high-upside arms, each bringing a distinctive set of tools and development paths. The Rays are betting on pitchers with dynamic arsenals, projectable frames, and the potential to refine command at the professional level, while also weighing the narrative and potential for organizational impact through signatures and signability. As the draft unfolds, the organization will continue to balance immediate contributions with long-term upside, all while honoring the legacy of the No. 3 jersey.