20 Rays Standouts Who Never Made the Hall of Fame

Last Updated: August 28th, 2026 by Matthew Brown

Before the Rays became analytics darlings and perennial contenders, before even the “Devil” was dropped from their name, Tampa Bay baseball was building something special at the Trop. From the early struggles in those neon rainbow uniforms to the modern-day innovation factory, these 20 players helped transform baseball on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Their places in Rays history are secure, even though none has a plaque in Cooperstown.

20. Carl Crawford: The Speedster Who Stole Tampa’s Heart

Before launch angle changed baseball, Carl Crawford changed games with pure speed. His 409 stolen bases in a Rays uniform set a standard that may never be broken, and his four AL stolen base titles made him the most exciting player on artificial turf since Vince Coleman. The sight of Crawford taking his lead from first base made even routine ground balls must-see events.

Carl Crawford — Career	Total
G	1716
AB	6655
H	1931
HR	136
RBI	766
SB	480
AVG	.290
OBP	.330
SLG	.435
OPS	.765
All-Star selections	4
Gold Gloves	1
Silver Sluggers	1

19. Ben Zobrist: Master of All Positions

Before positional flexibility became baseball’s hottest trend, there was Ben Zobrist redefining what a utility player could be. He appeared at seven defensive positions and posted an .800-plus OPS in four seasons with Tampa Bay, making him Joe Maddon’s Swiss Army knife. Zobrist became a blueprint for modern super-utility players who are also among their teams’ best hitters.

Ben Zobrist — Career	Total
G	1651
AB	5880
H	1566
HR	167
RBI	768
SB	116
AVG	.266
OBP	.357
SLG	.426
OPS	.783
All-Star selections	3
World Series titles	2

18. David Price: The Ace Who Set the Standard

From his dramatic four-out save in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS against Boston to his 2012 Cy Young season, David Price set the standard for pitching excellence in Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old rookie retired the final four batters of that pennant-clinching win, and four years later he became the first Rays pitcher to win a Cy Young Award. That easy smile and electric fastball made him the perfect ace for a team that was changing baseball’s expectations.

David Price — Career	Total
W	157
L	82
ERA	3.32
G	400
IP	2143.2
SO	2076
WHIP	1.16
SV	3
Cy Young	1
All-Star selections	5
World Series titles	1

17. Kevin Kiermaier: The Outlaw of Center Field

Before Statcast quantified defensive excellence, the eye test told you everything about KK’s brilliance in center field. His three Gold Gloves with Tampa Bay barely hint at the number of extra-base hits he stole with diving catches and rocket throws. “The Outlaw” earned his nickname by robbing hitters with a fearless style that made every fly ball an adventure.

Kevin Kiermaier — Career	Total
G	1159
AB	3682
H	905
HR	95
RBI	378
SB	132
AVG	.246
OBP	.304
SLG	.402
OPS	.706
Gold Gloves	4

16. Aubrey Huff: The Original Devil Ray Slugger

During the dark days of Devil Rays baseball, Aubrey Huff’s bat provided rare moments of light. His 34 homers in 2003 tied Jose Canseco’s then-franchise record before Carlos Peña broke it with 46 in 2007, and his consistent production gave fans something to cheer about during those lean seasons. In an era when Tampa Bay was building through youth, Huff was the reliable bat who kept showing up and raking.

Aubrey Huff — Career	Total
G	1681
AB	6104
H	1699
HR	242
RBI	904
SB	37
AVG	.278
OBP	.342
SLG	.464
OPS	.806
Silver Sluggers	1
World Series titles	2

15. Carlos Peña: The Power Bat Who Found Home at the Trop

A minor league signing who became a franchise icon, Carlos Peña’s 2007 season (46 HR, 121 RBI) announced that these weren’t your older brother’s Devil Rays anymore. His power to all fields and Gold Glove defense at first base helped transform the team from pretender to contender. That sweet left-handed swing seemed perfectly designed for the Trop’s right field porch.

Carlos Pena — Career	Total
G	1493
AB	4949
H	1146
HR	286
RBI	818
SB	29
AVG	.232
OBP	.346
SLG	.462
OPS	.808
All-Star selections	1
Gold Gloves	1
Silver Sluggers	1

14. James Shields: Big Game James of the Sunburst Era

The nickname might have started as irony, but “Big Game James” earned every letter of it during the Rays’ rise to prominence. His 11 complete games in 2011 seemed like a throwback to another era, and his changeup became the pitch that young Rays hurlers dreamed of emulating. Shields’ competitiveness set the tone for a rotation that would become the American League’s best.

James Shields — Career	Total
W	145
L	139
ERA	4.01
G	407
IP	2616.0
SO	2234
WHIP	1.27
SV	0
All-Star selections	1

13. Scott Kazmir: The Young Gun Who Started It All

When the Devil Rays stole Kazmir from the Mets in a 2004 trade, they got their first true ace. His electric fastball and wipeout slider made him must-see TV during some otherwise forgettable seasons. An All-Star selection at 22 and the AL strikeout title at 23 showed what was possible for a franchise that had previously only known pitching disappointment. Kazmir earned his second Rays All-Star selection in 2008 at age 24.

Scott Kazmir — Career	Total
W	108
L	97
ERA	4.02
G	303
IP	1701.0
SO	1618
WHIP	1.35
SV	0
All-Star selections	3

12. Rocco Baldelli: The Rhode Island Rocket’s Bright but Brief Star

The “Rhode Island Rocket” seemed destined for superstardom before health problems altered his career path. He set a Major League rookie record with 40 hits through April 2003, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki’s mark of 39, and finished the season with a .289 average. Though his playing career was cut short, Baldelli’s impact on the franchise extended far beyond his statistics.

Rocco Baldelli — Career	Total
G	519
AB	1910
H	531
HR	60
RBI	262
SB	60
AVG	.278
OBP	.323
SLG	.443
OPS	.766

11. B.J. Upton: The Five-Tool Phenom of the Breakthrough

The second overall pick in 2002 became a cornerstone of the Rays’ transformation, especially during the magical 2008 season. His seven home runs during the 2008 postseason tied an American League record and showed his enormous potential, while his range in center field turned doubles into outs. When Upton was locked in, there wasn’t a more exciting player in baseball.

B.J. Upton — Career	Total
G	1469
AB	5175
H	1260
HR	164
RBI	586
SB	300
AVG	.243
OBP	.321
SLG	.402
OPS	.723

10. Julio Lugo: The Spark Plug of the Devil Days

During the lean years, Julio Lugo provided both flash and substance at shortstop. His 2004 season (.275, 7 HR, 21 SB) showed what was possible when speed and gap power combined in the Tampa Bay lineup. Those rainbow Devil Rays uniforms never looked better than when Lugo was turning a double play or legging out a triple.

Julio Lugo — Career	Total
G	1352
AB	4758
H	1279
HR	80
RBI	475
SB	198
AVG	.269
OBP	.333
SLG	.384
OPS	.717
World Series titles	1

9. Dan Wheeler: The Reliable Arm in the Bullpen Revolution

Before the Rays became famous for their bullpen innovation, Dan Wheeler was setting the standard for relief excellence. His 63 holds from 2007-2010 helped bridge the gap between starters and closers during the team’s first successful run. Wheeler’s calm demeanor in high-leverage situations made him Joe Maddon’s most trusted firefighter.

Dan Wheeler — Career	Total
W	25
L	43
ERA	3.98
G	589
IP	640.2
SO	555
WHIP	1.22
SV	43

8. Toby Hall: The Steady Backstop of the Devil Rays Years

During the Devil Rays’ early years, Toby Hall was a steady presence behind the plate. He worked with young pitchers including Scott Kazmir and James Shields, while his durability provided stability during turbulent seasons. Hall’s time in Tampa Bay connected the expansion years to the young core that would soon contend.

Toby Hall — Career	Total
G	686
AB	2350
H	616
HR	46
RBI	269
SB	2
AVG	.262
OBP	.297
SLG	.374
OPS	.671

7. Randy Winn: The 2002 All-Star

Randy Winn represented the Devil Rays with class in the 2002 All-Star Game, going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run. His switch-hitting prowess and steady outfield play provided consistency during the franchise’s early struggles. That All-Star selection highlighted the talent beginning to emerge in Tampa Bay, even if the wins weren’t there yet.

Randy Winn — Career	Total
G	1717
AB	6186
H	1759
HR	110
RBI	662
SB	215
AVG	.284
OBP	.343
SLG	.416
OPS	.759
All-Star selections	1

6. Chris Archer: The Slider Master of the New Era

With a slider that seemed to defy physics and a personality that lit up the clubhouse, Chris Archer embodied the modern Rays’ approach to pitching. His 2015 All-Star season showed his electric potential, while his mentorship of younger pitchers helped establish the Rays’ pitching factory reputation. That signature slider became the stuff of legend, moving so much it sometimes fooled his own catchers.

Chris Archer — Career	Total
W	63
L	89
ERA	3.93
G	243
IP	1357.0
SO	1454
WHIP	1.26
SV	0
All-Star selections	2

5. Matt Garza: The No-Hitter Hero

On July 26, 2010, Matt Garza delivered the first no-hitter in Rays history, shutting down the Detroit Tigers with a performance for the ages. His intensity on the mound and competitive fire made him the perfect fit for a young team learning to win. That historic night at the Trop proved that magic could happen under the tilted roof.

Matt Garza — Career	Total
W	93
L	106
ERA	4.09
G	290
IP	1710.2
SO	1380
WHIP	1.32
SV	1

4. Jason Bartlett: The Shortstop Who Changed Everything

The transformation from Devil Rays to Rays coincided with Bartlett’s arrival, and that was no coincidence. His steady defense and clutch hitting helped power the worst-to-first miracle of 2008. The Tampa Bay chapter of the BBWAA named him the team’s MVP that season, and his presence helped turn one of baseball’s worst defenses into one of its best.

Jason Bartlett — Career	Total
G	892
AB	3141
H	849
HR	31
RBI	286
SB	123
AVG	.270
OBP	.336
SLG	.366
OPS	.702
All-Star selections	1

3. Grant Balfour: The Aussie Rage on the Mound

The fiery Australian brought intensity and a unique personality to the Rays’ bullpen across two different stints. His famous “Balfour Rage” – talking aggressively to himself on the mound – became a fan favorite routine at the Trop. That competitive fire and a deep pitch mix built around his fastball and slider made him one of the most memorable relievers in franchise history.

Grant Balfour — Career	Total
W	30
L	23
ERA	3.49
G	534
IP	539.2
SO	571
WHIP	1.22
SV	84
All-Star selections	1

2. Fernando Rodney: The Crooked Cap Closer

His 2012 season (0.60 ERA, 48 saves) ranks among the greatest relief performances in baseball history. The tilted cap and imaginary arrow shot into the sky after each save became signature moments at the Trop. Rodney’s revival in Tampa Bay showed how the Rays could transform castoff relievers into dominant closers.

Fernando Rodney — Career	Total
W	48
L	71
ERA	3.80
G	951
IP	933.0
SO	943
WHIP	1.37
SV	327
All-Star selections	3
World Series titles	1

1. Evan Longoria: Mr. Ray and Game 162’s Hero

For a decade, Evan Longoria was Tampa Bay baseball. His walk-off homer to clinch the 2011 wild card remains one of the greatest moments in franchise history, coming just minutes after the Red Sox suffered their own collapse in Baltimore. Three Gold Gloves, three All-Star selections, and countless clutch hits made him the face of the franchise’s transformation from laughingstock to contender. In July 2026, Tampa Bay inducted him into the Rays Hall of Fame and retired his No. 3.

Evan Longoria — Career	Total
G	1986
AB	7306
H	1930
HR	342
RBI	1159
SB	58
AVG	.264
OBP	.333
SLG	.471
OPS	.804
All-Star selections	3
Gold Gloves	3
Silver Sluggers	1
Rookie of the Year	1

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