/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/37LPBOEFTZH77E7A2J22ZXNLUY.JPG "Kevin Kiermaier has earned three Gold Gloves (and one Platinum), and a $50 million contract since being taken with a 31st-round pick.")
This year’s MLB draft will be pared down to just five rounds. That’s bad news for the Rays, who have had ample success drafting players from the sixth round on.
Here are 10 of the best players they got:
RHP James Shields (2000)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZFKIGJCCNRHE5N2C2NQGTVSN44.JPG "James Shields")
Round/pick: 16/466
WAR (Wins Above Replacement): 31.0
Key Rays starter for seven seasons, All-Star, has the team’s only World Series win.
OF Kevin Kiermaier (2010)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/65GO6HWJR5GPHGMHVE6BLKYU3E.JPG "Kevin Kiermaier")
Round/pick: 31/941
WAR: 25.7
Earned three Gold Gloves (and one Platinum), and a $50 million contract.
OF Desmond Jennings (2006)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5SHK5MIJ2ZEYNA5JP55XSEDJZE.JPG "Desmond Jennings")
Round/pick: 10/289
WAR: 13.5
Rare power/speed combo highlighted career ended early by injuries.
RHP Jason Hammel (2002)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BPR5VP3JVJBKNB4FRSLKWQHOJY.JPG "Jason Hammel")
Round/pick: 10/284
WAR: 12.8
So-so start with Rays led to solid 13-year career, and World Series ring with Cubs.
C John Jaso (2003)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YQQBLLBUPVEKHAILAODKLPBJN4.JPG "John Jaso")
Round/pick: 12/338
WAR: 10.8
Had two stints with Rays during a 9-year career limited by concussions.
C Stephen Vogt (2007)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QYPQMTP56JFRLDN5DJSVXJPREI.JPG "Stephen Vogt")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OHWN3LXREVAXTK7ISU7VPPUBM4.jpg "Want more than just the box score?")
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Explore all your optionsRound/pick: 12/365
WAR: 7.9
Rays gave up on his defense too early as he became an All-Star elsewhere.
RHP Dan Wheeler (1996)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ASYZFYWBYVBEDOUNE7LBFQ7ULE.JPG "Dan Wheeler")
Round/pick: 34/1024
WAR: 7.8
Started with Rays, though made bigger impact when traded back in 2007.
LHP Joe Kennedy (1998)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/K2YDHTIDBFCBTD636RS744JIRI.JPG "Joe Kennedy")
Round/pick: 8/262
WAR: 7.4
Began career as starter on three bad Rays teams before traded; died at age 28.
LHP Matt Moore (2007)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7EO4VNFXFVCKLPK27UYGF4XHYQ.JPG "Matt Moore")
Round/pick: 8/245
WAR: 5.1
Playoff win, All-Star pick, 17-win season offset by career-changing surgery.
C Toby Hall (1997)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QCTGAHNEVBHHZN2OWPAYEKCKRY.JPG "Toby Hall")
Round/pick: 9/294
WAR: 4.7
Spent parts of seven seasons with Rays, still franchise leader in games caught.
Five others of note
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VBROUECHPJANLJFCI2EQ5KAQFA.JPG "Jonny Gomes")
• OF Jonny Gomes (2001)
18th round/529th pick, 3.5 WAR
• RHP Jake Faria, (2011)
10th round/330th pick, 0.7 WAR
• RHP Andy Sonnanstine (2004)
13th round/375th pick, 0.4 WAR
• 1B Nate Lowe (2016)
13th round/390th pick, 0.4 WAR
• RHP Austin Pruitt (2013)
9th round/278th pick, -1.0 WAR
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