Taylor Walls

Walls is among a glut of young middle infield talent in the Rays' organization, though he has also played third base while rising through the minors and the early portion of his major-league career. That versatility may help him cut through some of the competition for playing time, particularly because he is regarded as an above-average defender. As for his bat, Walls will be reliant upon his hit tool and speed to produce in the fantasy context. He never hit more than 10 home runs in a full minor-league season, and when his ISO jumped in Double and Triple-A, his strikeout rate followed suit. Even with an elevated strikeout rate, Walls regularly posted an on-base percentage of over .330 - and often well in excess of that mark - thanks to excellent patience at the plate. In combination with his speed, Walls' ability to get on base will be his clearest path to fantasy value. In contrast to his power, there is a track record of Walls posting double-digit stolen bases, and he managed to do so at every level of the minors. The remaining two hurdles are a lack of consistent playing time and some struggles with efficiency on the basepaths, both of which will be keys to monitor his potential production both in 2022 and into the future.

Walls spent the 2020 campaign training at the Rays' alternate site following three minor-league seasons during which he established himself as a steady fielder and patient hitter with plus speed. The 24-year-old isn't likely to hit for much power, but he brings a professional approach to the plate that has thus far resulted in a 12.1 BB% and 18.3 K% in the minors. From a fantasy perspective, Walls' best attribute is probably his above-average speed that he converted into 59 stolen bases in 86 attempts between 2018 and 2019. Tampa Bay protected him from the Rule 5 draft in November, an indication that they see him contributing at the major-league level, perhaps as soon as next season. Once he arrives, Walls could fill a super-utility role, but he may not offer enough in terms of offensive production to excite as a fantasy asset.