The Tampa Bay Rays have long had a knack for finding hidden gems on the waiver wire, and they may have struck again. This time, they’ve reeled in a pair of intriguing names: infielder Brett Wisely and left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk. Both players arrive with question marks, but also with the kind of upside the Rays have built a reputation around uncovering.
Brett Wisely Returns to Tampa Bay
Let’s start with Brett Wisely, who’s coming full circle. Originally drafted by the Rays in the 15th round back in 2019 out of Gulf Coast State College, Wisely worked his way up through the system before being traded to the Giants in 2022. Now 26, he’s back in the organization that first believed in him-and he’s walking into a golden opportunity.
Second base is a clear area of need for Tampa Bay, especially with Brandon Lowe sidelined. That opens the door for Wisely to compete for a real role on the roster. He’s not flashy, but he’s versatile and dependable-traits the Rays consistently value.
Wisely’s big-league experience with San Francisco was a mixed bag. He struggled at the plate in his 2023 debut, batting just .175 with a .267 slugging percentage.
But to his credit, he showed improvement the following season, bumping his line up to .238/.278/.345 across 91 games. That’s still a work in progress, but it’s a step forward-and it’s paired with a defensive profile that’s quietly solid.
What makes Wisely especially interesting is his ability to move around the diamond. He’s seen time at second, short, and even in the outfield, giving the Rays the kind of flexibility they love to deploy. With Lowe out, there’s a real lane for Wisely to make an impact if he can hold his own at the plate.
Ken Waldichuk Adds a Lefty Arm to the Mix
On the pitching side, Tampa Bay also scooped up Ken Waldichuk, a 28-year-old southpaw who was recently designated for assignment by the Braves before ever throwing a pitch for them. Waldichuk is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but the Rays are clearly betting on the long-term upside.
Waldichuk’s MLB numbers to date don’t jump off the page-he posted a 6-11 record with a 5.28 ERA during his time with the Oakland A’s-but there’s more to the story. For one, he’s left-handed, and that alone makes him a valuable commodity in today’s game. The Rays have leaned heavily on Garrett Cleavinger as their primary lefty in the bullpen, and adding Waldichuk gives them another option from that side, something they’ve been lacking in recent years.
This is a classic low-risk, high-reward move. Waldichuk has shown flashes of promise in the past, and if his recovery stays on track, he could be a useful piece in a bullpen that’s always looking for fresh arms. The Rays aren’t asking him to be a front-line starter-they’re hoping he can be a solid contributor in a relief role, especially in matchups where a lefty presence is key.
The Bigger Picture
These moves aren’t going to dominate headlines, but they’re the kind of under-the-radar additions that often end up paying dividends for the Rays. Wisely has a shot to fill a real need on the infield, and Waldichuk brings a skill set that’s in short supply in Tampa Bay’s bullpen. Neither player is a sure thing, but both fit the mold of reclamation projects the Rays have turned into success stories time and again.
If either one sticks, it’s another win for a front office that continues to find value where others don’t. And if both pan out? Well, that’s just the Rays doing what the Rays do best.