H/W:  6-2  170 lb.     B/T:  R/R     DOB:  1/11/89

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to be a tremendous success story, transforming their farm system and major league roster from futility to fortune in just one year's time.  Longoria, Price, and Upton, and Garza have become household names, while pitching prospects Wade Davis, Jeremy Hellickson, and Jake McGee loom as potential stars on the imminent horizon.  Nicholas Barnese is quite a ways behind them in development but not in talent.

With a lively 91-93 MPH fastball and power slurve, Nicholas Barnese overpowered hitters at short season Low-A Hudson Valley last season going 5-3 with a 2.45 ERA and 24 BB/84 K in 66 innings.  Nicholas is a confident and aggressive pitcher with a mean streak on the mound.  He goes right after hitters, pounding all quadrants of the strike zone and challenging hitters on the inner half of the plate.  A changeup is currently in the works for Barnese and, while hie throws it with a good arm speed, its command and movement lags behind his other two quality offerings.  Barnese has some projectibility left in his frame that could build a little more bulk and velocity within the next year or two.  If it comes, his overall skill set will closely resemble that of current Ray hurler Matt Garza.

2009 Projection: Barnese will get a taste of full season ball at Low-A Bowling Green.  Barnese seemingly came out of nowhere to post his solid numbers last season.  Watch to see if he can sustain that success over a full season.  His frame is still a bit slender, which could deter from his durability.  His changeup is an essential component to his ability to continue progressing as a starter.  With so many fine young arms in the Rays organization, Barnese has been able to fly under the radar and exceed expectations.  That could come to a close soon.  A big 2009 season from Nick should vault him into the same conversation as names like Davis, McGee, and Hellickson.

Key Nicholas Barnese Baseball Cards:

• 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Nicholas Barnese
• 2008 Just Autographs Nicholas Barnese Auto

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2008 Just Autographs #5 Nicholas Barnese $1.00

(10) 2007 Bowman Draft Base Nicholas Barnese Rays Qty $9.99

(10) 2007 Bowman Draft Gold Nicholas Barnese Rays Qty $15.99

08 Nicholas Barnese Rays Draft Picks & Prospects BDPP13 $1.00

2007 Nicholas Barnese Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor BGS9 $19.99

2007 Nicholas Barnese Bowman Chrome Orange Ref BGS 9.5 $59.99

2007 BOWMAN CHROME DRAFT NICHOLAS BARNESE RC LOT OF 5 $0.99

2007 BOWMAN CHROME DRAFT NICHOLAS BARNESE RC LOT OF 5 $0.99

2 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Nicholas Barnese Gold Refractor #/50 RC TB Rays Lot $59.99

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Popularity: 9% [?]

H/W:  6-2  200 lb.     B/T:  L/R     DOB:  10/30/87

Selected in the 3rd round last season, the former UC Davis star continued to show off his hot bat at short season Hudson Valley, batting .316 with 2 HR 41 RBI and 16 doubles.  Jefferies make excellent contact at the plate by spraying line drives from foul line to foul line and working deep into counts.  He has a tall and strong build, but his swing does not produce much loft at this time which mitigates his HR totals.  Jefferies is a solid athlete as well with fringe average speed and good mobility behind the plate.  He has shown himself to be adept at calling pitches and blocking balls in the dirt, but his arm is iffy and baserunners in the New York-Penn League exploited it by succeeding in 23 of 27 SB attempts.  There is still a good deal of projectibility left in this 22 year old's skill set.  The Rays believe that with some minor adjustments to his swing trajectory and release time, Jefferies will evolve into a very good big league receiver.

2009 Projection: Jefferies will get a crack at full season ball, probably with the Rays' new Low-A affiliate Bowling Green.  There is some promise that Jacob can put up better power numbers in coming seasons.  He drove in a good number of runs last season and did hit a good amount of doubles.  Currently, Tampa Bay's organizational depth chart is devoid of any considerable catching talent.  Jefferies, with a little refinement, has an opportunity to move quickly through the Rays' system, making him someone to watch over the next couple of seasons.

Key Jacob Jefferies Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/819

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2008 Donruss Elite JACOB JEFFERIES AUTOGRAPH/AUTO RAYS $2.69

2008 Donruss Elite JACOB JEFFERIES AUTOGRAPH/AUTO RAYS $2.49

2008 Donruss Elite Baseball #127 Jacob Jefferies RC Die Cut 15/75 NM $3.00

2008 ELITE JACOB JEFFERIES AUTO #588/819 Rays $5.95

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edt. #127 Jacob Jefferies AUTO $18.00

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Ed Jacob Jefferies AU/819 AUTO $5.00

2008 Elite EE Jacob Jefferies AUTO/RC Rays /819 $3.99

JACOB JEFFERIES TAMPA BAY RAYS 2008 ELITE AUTO RC DINGED CORNER NRMNT #/819 $2.39

JACOB JEFFERIES 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Status RC #72/75 TAMPA BAY RAYS $4.95

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Popularity: 9% [?]

H/W:  6-3  190 lb.     B/T:  L/R     DOB:  1/16/86

2008 was a disappointing year for the Rays' top infield prospect as Brignac batted just .250 with 9 HR 43 RBI and 26 doubles at AAA Durham.  Things were even tougher for Reid in his brief MLB action, going hitless in 10 AB's with 5 K's.  Regardless of his struggles, there are many physical elements to Brignac's game that are quite intriguing.  He has a long, athletic body that still projects to produce above average power numbers.  Defensively, Brignac has show remarkable improvement from his struggles in previous seasons to the point that his glove, range, and arm collectively make him one of the best fielding shortstops in the minor leagues.  Unfortunately, his BB/K ratio regressed significantly last season as Reid managed only 25 BB/98 K's, and his numbers took a tumultuous dive after the All-Star break (.188 2 HR 5 RBI 4 BB/24 K) perhaps due to a lapse of confidence brought on by his inauspicious MLB stint.  The Rays are still enamored by the possibility of Brignac and Evan Longoria anchoring the left side of their infield for the next several years, but his '08 travails provide sufficient evidence that more time and patience is needed.

2009 Projection: Jason Bartlett's second half hot streak and fine postseason play should make the Rays feel comfortable with letting Brignac have another shot at AAA Durham.  Brignac's offensive numbers have been sliding a bit over the last couple of years and this season is key for his continued development as a top infield prospect.  Watch to see if he can resurrect his power numbers and improve upon his dismal BB/K ratio.  He should earn another shot with the Rays at some point in '08...hopefully with better results.

Key Reid Brignac Baseball Cards:

• 2004 SP Prospects Auto #/400
• 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft
• 2004 Bowman Sterling
• 2004 Bowman Heritage
• 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/522

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2011 Topps Team Set Card TBR 12 Reid Brignac $1.00

2011 Topps Allen & Ginter 282 Reid Brignac $0.99

2011 Topps Series 1 #284 Reid Brignac Tampa Bay Rays $0.99

2011 Topps Update Cognac Diamond #284 Reid Brignac Rays $1.29

REID BRIGNAC TAMPA RAYS 2007 CHROME XFRACTOR RC /275 !! $6.40

Reid Brignac Rays PSA DNA Signed ROOKIE Baseball $19.99

Reid Brignac Tampa Bay Devil Rays Signed Baseball Pic $9.99

Reid Brignac Devil Rays Signed Pro Model Bat w/pic $19.99

SP Prospects REID BRIGNAC DELMON YOUNG Triple Auto RC $89.99

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Popularity: 7% [?]

H/W:  6-0  190 lb.     B/T:  R/R     DOB:  1/27/90

The Rays used the 1st overall pick of the '08 draft, along with $6.15 million on the best prep baseball player in the country, Tim Beckham.  Signing his contract quickly allowed the Georgia native to play in 46 games at short season Princeton where he hit .243 with 2 HR 14 RBI and 30 runs scored.  Beckham is as toolsy and projectible as they come, with a lightning fast swing that causes balls to jump off of his bat.  A gifted athlete, his speed translates well to running the basepaths and to covering a good amount of range at SS.  Given his great athleticism, Beckham is also quite raw in all aspects of the game and will need a few seasons to put everything together.  Fortunately for the Rays, there is no need to rush the development of their newest blue chip prospect.  Tim Beckham has a bright future and a cozy spot next to 2008 A.L. Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria waiting for him.

2009 Projection: The Rays may opt to keep Beckham at extended spring training before shipping him to  short-season Hudson Valley in June, or they may challenge him a bit and give him his first full dose of full season ball at Low-A Bowling Green.  Either way, there are many things to watch with the young Rays shortstop.  How does the power progress?  Is his plate discipline improved?  Will he play well defensively at SS?  If these questions are answered affirmatively, his future as a top-flight prospect becomes more compelling.

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Tim Beckham 2009 Tristar Projections $1.50

2010 Topps Pro Debut 1 Baseball Tampa Bay Rays Team Set 6 Cards Tim Beckham MINT $4.00

Tim Beckham 2010 Auto Topps Pro Debut 51/106 $35.00

2011 Bowman Tim Beckham Auto Rookie Autograph RC Tampa Bay Rays $17.99

GARRIT COLE/ERIC HOSMER/TIM BECKHAM 2008 FUTURE STARS ROOKIE CARD! HOT CARD!!! $0.99

2011 Topps Heritage Minor League #62 Tim Beckham Minors Edition $0.99

2011 Bowman Platinum Purple Refractors Tim Beckham $3.00

2011 Bowman Platinum Green Ref /599 86 Tim Beckham $3.49

2011 Heritage Minors Blue Tint /620 #62 Tim Beckham Topps Minor League Edition $1.95

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Popularity: 7% [?]