Rays land elite prep shortstop Grady Emerson at No. 2
The Rays used the No. 2 overall pick to draft Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson, a left-handed hitter from Fort Worth Christian High School, renowned for a premium hit tool and strong amateur pedigree, after Roch Cholowsky went No. 1 to the White Sox. Emerson joins a Rays draft haul that includes Taj Marchand (No. 33) and Ben Blair (No. 49) on Day 1 as Tampa Bay builds its young, high-ceiling core.