MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Tampa Bay Rays top prospect Theo Gillen, MLB’s No. 9 overall prospect, became just the third Minor Leaguer this season to reach 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases when he launched his 15th homer in Double-A Montgomery’s 8-6 loss to Birmingham at DABOS Park.
The 20-year-old joined Atlanta’s Eric Hartman (ATL No. 2/MLB No. 76) and Houston’s Anthony Huezo (HOU No. 17) in the exclusive club — a milestone that underscores the rare combination of power and speed the Rays secured when they drafted Gillen 18th overall in 2024.
Gillen has been on a tear since the All-Star break, riding an active eight-game hitting streak during which he is batting .333 (11-for-33) with nine RBIs and 18 total bases. His break wasn’t exactly quiet either — he singled in a run during the American League’s 6-1 victory at the All-Star Futures Game.
The path to Double-A has been a steady climb. Gillen posted an .820 OPS in 73 games for Single-A Charleston during his first full season in 2025, then exploded at High-A Bowling Green earlier this year with 12 home runs in 57 games and a 1.038 OPS before earning his promotion to Montgomery.
Double-A is widely considered the hardest level for prospects to adjust to in the Minors, and Gillen’s early struggles with Montgomery reflected that. But his July surge — coinciding with the hitting streak — suggests the adjustment period may be behind him. Tampa Bay’s front office has pointed to Gillen as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future, and his ability to tap into power regularly at the upper levels of the Minors will determine how quickly that future arrives.