Ryan Pepiot

Pepiot was the key piece of the Tyler Glasnow trade and, at times, showed why the Rays targeted the talented hurler in the deal. The resume could almost be bookended by the six innings of shutout ball at Coors in early April with 11 strikeouts or the start against Boston near the end of September where a solo homer was his only blemish over six innings with 12 strikeouts. He finished the season with nine quality starts while making 26 starts in all, since his season was disrupted by a bug bite that led to a nasty knee infection which required hospitalization. Pepiot's next step forward is going to hinge upon his ability to develop a consistent third pitch. The fastball and changeup have shown they are major-league quality, but Pepiot continues to tinker with the rest of his repertoire. The Rays had him add a cutter for lefties, as well as a curveball with some success, which is promising for his 2025 potential. There is another level here for the 27-year-old that could appear as soon as this season. Read Past Outlooks