TJ Nichols

Nichols dominated in six starts at Double-A to close 2025, logging a 0.97 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB in 37 innings. The 6-foot-5 righty was promoted from High-A Bowling Green on Aug. 5 after logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 119:21 K:BB in 96.2 innings for the Hot Rods. Nichols had three double-digit strikeout games last season, including 10 Ks in seven innings of one-run ball in an Aug. 28 start against Biloxi. He operates with a plus fastball and plus slider while his changeup lags behind as a distant third pitch. He gave up 16 homers in 262 plate appearances against lefties last year, so figuring out a way to combat opposite-handed hitters will be a point of emphasis in 2026. The Rays don't typically rush pitchers to the big-league rotation, so Nichols, who isn't on the 40-man roster, will probably spend most or all of 2026 in the upper minors. Read Past Outlooks