Brody Hopkins Brings Heat, Hunger, and High Ceiling to Rays Camp
Brody Hopkins doesn’t ease into anything-not on the mound, not in the weight room, and definitely not in his approach to competition. The 24-year-old righty is all gas, no brakes, and now, with his first big league camp invite, the Rays are about to get an up-close look at one of their most intriguing young arms.
Hopkins’ path to this point wasn’t the usual straight line. He came into pro ball as a two-way player, spending more time tracking fly balls in the outfield than carving up hitters on the mound. But once he committed to pitching full-time, his athleticism-already a standout trait-began to fuel something special.
What sets Hopkins apart is a rare blend of raw tools and relentless drive. He’s the kind of athlete who doesn’t just want to win-he needs to.
That edge shows up every time he toes the rubber. Last season at Double-A Montgomery, he struck out nearly 29% of the batters he faced, finishing the year with a sharp 2.72 ERA over 116 innings.
That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of performance that gets you noticed.
Now, the next step is refining the one area that’s still a work in progress: command. Hopkins walked 12% of hitters last season, and while that’s not uncommon for power arms still developing their feel, it’s the key piece that could unlock his full potential.
“He’s a power arm with a really big fastball,” said Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach. “He can spin two breaking balls.
He’s still working on the changeup right now, something to soften the velo there. But he’s just super athletic.
The athleticism itself is what stands out with Brody-and then the competitiveness.”
Hopkins brings a deep arsenal to the table: a pair of fastballs, multiple breaking pitches, and a developing power changeup that could become a real weapon if it clicks. It’s the kind of mix that makes hitters uncomfortable and keeps scouts intrigued.
The Rays acquired Hopkins from the Mariners at the 2024 trade deadline in the deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Seattle. Drafted by the Mariners in the sixth round in 2023 out of Winthrop, Hopkins was seen as a high-upside project. Now, that project is starting to look like a potential payoff.
“He’s going to get after hitters right away, and he’s going to compete out there,” Ibach said. “I know a lot of pitchers take spring training as a build-up, but he’s really only got one level-compete. So it’ll be fun to get him around our major league staff.”
That staff will get their first extended look at Hopkins this spring before he heads to Triple-A Durham. It’s a key proving ground, and if he continues trending in the right direction, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him knocking on the big-league door sooner than later.
More Rays Notes from Camp
Hopkins won’t be the only arm from last year’s Double-A Montgomery rotation getting a taste of big league camp. Righthanders Ty Johnson and TJ Nichols are also making the jump this spring, giving the Rays a trio of high-upside arms to evaluate up close.
“It’s fun to see Brody and TJ get an opportunity to show their stuff in big league camp, and Ty Johnson for that matter, too,” Ibach said. “That Biscuits rotation had three pretty elite arms. So all three of them getting a chance to come to a major league camp will be fun, and I think it gives fans a sneak preview of what’s to come in terms of our upper-level arms.”
Also in camp is a familiar face: Kevin Kiermaier. The former Rays center fielder is back in the fold this spring, not as a player, but as a one-week outfield instructor. He’ll be working with young outfielders like Chandler Simpson and Justyn-Henry Malloy, passing along the defensive instincts and leadership that made him a fan favorite for years.
In the front office, the Rays added two former big leaguers to their player development team. Catcher Joe Hudson and pitcher Beau Sulser-the younger brother of current Rays reliever Cole Sulser-have joined in hybrid roles. They'll be working not just with players, but also alongside coaches, scouts, and front office staff, helping bridge the gap between on-field development and organizational strategy.
With spring training heating up, the Rays are once again leaning into what they do best: developing talent, maximizing tools, and staying a step ahead. And with Brody Hopkins leading the next wave of arms, the future on the mound looks as electric as ever.