The Minnesota Rays? Not Quite - But the Twins Are Looking a Lot Like Tampa North
Call it a reunion, a coincidence, or just smart roster construction - whatever the case, the Minnesota Twins are starting to look a whole lot like a northern outpost of the Tampa Bay Rays. With six players on their current 40-man roster having passed through the Rays organization - and now with Derek Shelton, a former Rays hitting coach, taking over as manager - the Rays’ fingerprints are all over this Twins team.
Shelton spent seven seasons (2010-2016) working with Tampa Bay hitters before moving on to managerial roles, most recently with the Pirates. Now, he’s back in the American League, this time leading a Minnesota club that’s clearly comfortable dipping into the Rays' developmental pipeline.
Twins Add Familiar Names: Tristan Gray and Vidal Brujan
Two of the more recent additions to the Twins’ roster - infielder Tristan Gray and switch-hitting utility man Vidal Brujan - both bring Rays pedigrees and intriguing upside, even if their paths to this point haven’t been smooth.
Brujan, once a top prospect in Tampa Bay’s system, signed with the Rays as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. He spent nearly seven years climbing through their farm system before finally debuting in 2021.
But things never quite clicked for him at the big league level. In limited action over three seasons, Brujan slashed just .157 across 99 games, finishing his Rays tenure with a -1.6 WAR.
Despite his elite speed and defensive versatility, the bat never came around in Tampa - and that ultimately cost him a long-term spot.
Now 27, Brujan has bounced around since leaving the Rays and will be looking to prove himself in Minnesota. The Twins, who have some open spots in the infield and outfield mix, could offer him the kind of fresh start that players like Brujan often need. The tools are still there - it’s just a matter of whether the production can finally follow.
Tristan Gray, meanwhile, took a more winding road to the big leagues. Originally a 13th-round pick by the Pirates in 2017, Gray was dealt to the Rays in the Corey Dickerson trade before ever making a big league appearance. He spent years in Tampa’s minor league system, stuck behind established infielders like Willy Adames and Wander Franco, waiting for a shot.
That opportunity finally came in 2023, when Gray made his MLB debut and promptly made it count - going 2-for-5 in five games, including a memorable home run against the Orioles. Last season, he earned a longer look, appearing in 30 games and hitting .231 with three homers. It wasn’t a breakout campaign, but it was enough to show he can hang at the major league level.
After the 2025 season, the Rays traded Gray to the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Luis Guerrero. But his Boston stint was brief - the Red Sox, needing help behind the plate, flipped him to the Twins for 24-year-old catcher Nate Baez.
A New Look Infield in Minnesota
The timing of these moves is important. With Carlos Correa returning to Houston, Minnesota suddenly finds itself with a vacancy in the middle infield.
Top prospect Brooks Lee is expected to step into the starting shortstop role, but beyond that, the depth chart is wide open. That’s where Gray and Brujan come in.
Gray, a 6'1" left-handed hitter, has the ability to play all over the infield. His power potential - especially from the left side - gives him a chance to carve out a utility role or even more if he gets hot.
Brujan, meanwhile, brings speed, switch-hitting ability, and a glove that plays across multiple positions. If either can find consistency at the plate, they’ll be in the mix for meaningful innings.
Building the Roster the Rays’ Way?
It’s no secret that the Rays have long been admired for their ability to develop talent, especially on a budget. And while the Twins don’t operate quite as lean, they’re clearly not afraid to lean on players who’ve been through Tampa’s system. With Shelton now at the helm, there’s a familiarity and trust in place that could help these former Rays find their footing in Minnesota.
Whether this influx of ex-Rays turns into a winning formula remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Twins are betting that there’s still untapped potential in players like Gray and Brujan - and that the Rays' way of doing things might just work in the Midwest, too.