Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? We give an overview of team strengths, weaknesses, and other things to know, using Defensive Runs Saved and other stats as the basis for our evaluation. To see the full series, click here.

2025 Team Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 6th

Team Strengths

Shortstop Taylor Walls has not played 100 games at shortstop in a season. But he’s been so good defensively that he’s totaled more than 10 Runs Saved there in four of his five MLB seasons. He’s tied for the most Runs Saved at shortstop over the last three seasons despite having played less than half as many innings as the player he’s tied with, Dansby Swanson. He’ll be valuable as a starter or reserve.

Most Defensive Runs Saved – Shortstops – Last 3 Seasons

The Rays are waiting for Carson Williams to take over the position from Walls. Williams led minor league shortstops in Runs Saved in 2024 and was solid again in 2025. But he hit .172 in a 99 at-bat MLB stint last season, and he’s being watched carefully in spring training. Whether it’s Williams or Walls, the Rays are in good defensive shape at the position.

Catcher Nick Fortes has had 5, 5, and 4 Runs Saved the last three seasons. Though he hasn’t done well at controlling the running game, he’s had one season of being one of the top pitch blockers in MLB and others of being an above-average pitch framer. He’s not in the top tier of defensive catchers in MLB but he might be in the second tier.

Ben Williamson figures to play a utility role for this team. He had 8 Runs Saved in 85 games at third base as a rookie last season. That wasn’t surprising given that his last two seasons in the minors he had 10 and 7 Runs Saved, respectively.

Jonny DeLuca had 6 Runs Saved in 57 games in right field two seasons ago and has a penchant for making great catches. He’ll likely be in a backup role.

Besides Williams the Rays also have first baseman Tre’ Morgan, who has been heralded for his defense. Every scouting report we’ve read pegs Morgan as a terrific defender, even if our minor league numbers don’t back it up so far. He’s totaled -3 Runs Saved in 116 minor league games measured at the position.

Team Weaknesses

One of the Rays free agent signings this offseason was a buy-low on Cedric Mullins, who was coming of a rough 2025 both offensively and defensively. Mullins has slipped defensively the last two seasons, totaling a combined -19 Runs Saved, including -14 in 2025.

Given Chandler Simpson’s blazing speed, you’d have figured he’d have fared better in the outfield than -9 Runs Saved between center field and left field. He had 21 Misplays and Errors last season between the two positions. That’s a lot. So he’s got some improving to do.

The Rays could also use better from the corner infield slots, where they’ll be playing Yandy Díaz at first base (-7 Runs Saved the last two seasons) and Junior Caminero at third base (-5 Runs Saved last season). They’ll also have Gavin Lux at second base, which didn’t go well the last time he played it full time (-2 Runs Saved in 2024 and then -4 in 17 games last season)

Other Things To Know

Jonathan Aranda has 138 career games at first base and 8 Runs Saved, with 7 of those coming in 93 games last season so he could have made the strengths list too.

Are the Rays A Good Defensive Team?

I think they have too many weaknesses to be considered a good defensive team right now, but the Rays always seem to defy the conventional wisdom. They could really use a bounceback from Mullins and for Simpson to make fewer mistakes. With both of those things and good contributions from Williams and Morgan, I think they’d be above-average.