Tampa Bay Rays Minor Leaguer Highlighted For Incredible Defensive Play This Week

Dru Baker, currently on the roster at Triple-A Durham, went all-out for this great play in right field.

Texas Tech Red Raiders infielder Dru Baker (4) drives in a run in the sixth inning against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in 2019. | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Rays' minor leaguer Dru Baker earned recognition this week for a great play he made at Triple-A Durham.

Baker was highlighted by the @MiLB social media accounts for the play he made in right field with the Bulls. You can check each of the top five plays of the week out in the post below:

“Air Johnny!” 😳

Five of the best plays from the start of the season, including a diving snag by a levitating third baseman and a fearless Bull in right field. #MiLBPremierPlays voting is live: https://t.co/uYBAFiiSYy pic.twitter.com/0Suvk90Odd

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 11, 2025

Baker, 25, is a former fourth-round pick of the Rays out of Texas Tech. He was selected in 2021. In addition to his excellent defense, he's hitting .292 in the early going with a homer, two RBIs and one stolen base. The Rays have an excellent player development model and though he's not on the 40-man roster yet, there's always a chance that he could end up being a solid big-league contributor at some point.

He's a career .295 minor league hitter across five minor league seasons. This is his first year at Triple-A, where he pairs with other top prospects like Carson Williams and Chandler Simpson.

Because of the overall depth of talent, the Bulls were ranked as one of the most talented teams in the minors recently by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

At the major-league level, the Rays will be in action again on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET as Taj Bradley (TBR) pitches against Bryce Elder.

Durham will take on the Buffalo Bisons at 6:05 p.m. ET. The Bisons are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

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