While Honeywell wasn't a big name in amateur scouting circles ahead of the 2014 Draft, the Rays liked what they saw in the Walters State CC right-hander enough to select him with the No. 72 overall pick. Since then Honeywell has been a fixture on MLB Pipeline's preseason Top 100 Prospects list, making five straight appearances and ranking as high as No. 12 in 2018. That also was the year Honeywell was widely expected to reach the Major Leagues, before Tommy John surgery (Feb. 2018) and surgery to repair a fracture in his right elbow (June 2019) -- an injury suffered towards the end of his TJ rehab process -- cost him all of 2018-19, temporarily derailing his career trajectory.
Honeywell can be downright nasty when healthy, boasting a five-pitch assortment and the confidence to throw any pitch in any count. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s with sink and has registered as high as 95-96 mph in the past. A true screwball and a plus changeup headline Honeywell's secondary arsenal, though it's fair to assume he'll have to dial back his use of the former in the wake of multiple elbow surgeries. He shows good feel for executing a mid-80s slider, another potential out-pitch for him, and has a knack for stealing strikes with a below-average curveball that has big shape. He'd compiled a strong record of throwing strikes prior to getting hurt, averaging 2.0 BB/9 over his first four seasons.
Honeywell won't be ready for the start of Spring Training, and an overall delayed start to his 2020 season seems likely, but he began a basic throwing program in January with no ill effects and could give the Rays a huge boost as either a starter or a reliever, or possibly some combination of both, if he can avoid future setbacks in his recovery. At the same time, Honeywell also hasn't taken the mound in a Minor League game since September 2017 and will pitch as a 25-year-old in 2020, so expectations about his potential impact should be tempered.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Screwball: 65 | Curve: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
An under-the-radar prospect when the Rays selected him with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2014 Draft out of Walters State CC, Honeywell has been anything but that in the pro ranks. After finishing his second full season in Double-A, Honeywell returned to the level to open '17 and received a quick bump up to the Triple-A International League, where he helped pitch Durham to a Governor's Cup title. Along the way, Honeywell was named the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game Most Valuable Player as the U.S. Team's starting pitcher. Entering '18 on the cusp of the Majors, Honeywell's chances of making his big league debut were dashed when he sustained a right elbow injury in February that required season-ending Tommy John surgery. His rehab process was going smoothly and Honeywell was nearing a return to game action in 2019 when he suffered a fracture on the inside of his right elbow while throwing a bullpen session in early June and subsequently underwent season-ending surgery.
Honeywell has no shortage of weapons at his disposal when healthy, as he'll show the ability to execute five distinct pitches in a given outing. He throws his fastball in the low-to-mid-90s, at times touching 95-96 mph with late sinking action, and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including his trademark screwball as well as a plus changeup. His feel for commanding his above-average mid-80s slider down in the zone gives him yet another out pitch, while his curveball represents a quality change-of-pace offering. Throwing strikes has never been a problem for Honeywell, whose natural athleticism, smooth mechanics and repeatable delivery all work in harmony to allow him to pound the zone consistently. He's also a fearless competitor on the mound, one who receives raves for his ability to mix pitches, set up hitters and execute a game plan.
Honeywell probably would have already established himself as a fixture in Tampa Bay's starting rotation had his 2018-19 campaigns not been wiped out by injuries. While it's yet to be seen how Honeywell's latest setback might impact his future role, it's safe to assume that the Rays will be extra cautious in managing the right-hander's rehab process. If all goes as planned, Honeywell should return to the mound at some point in 2020, in his age-25 season.
Little was known about Honeywell when the Rays made him the No. 72 overall pick in 2014 out of Walters State CC, but he's since emerged as one of the better pitching prospects in the Minors while making a quick climb through Tampa Bay's system. Honeywell reached Double-A for the first time in his second full season and then returned there to begin 2017 before advancing to Triple-A in mid-April and ultimately helping Durham win the Governor's Cup. Along the way, Honeywell was named the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game Most Valuable Player as the U.S. Team's starting pitcher, furthering his reputation as a confident, big-game hurler. However, Honeywell will now be sidelined until 2019 after he suffered a right elbow injury in February '18 that required Tommy John surgery.
Honeywell has no shortage of weapons at his disposal, as he'll show the ability to execute five distinct pitches in a given outing. He throws his fastball in the low to mid-90s, at times touching 95-96 mph, with late sinking action and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including his trademark screwball as well as a plus changeup. His feel for commanding his above-average slider down in the zone gives him yet another out pitch, while his curveball represents a quality change-of-pace offering.
Throwing strikes has never been a problem for Honeywell. His natural athleticism, smooth mechanics and repeatable delivery all work in harmony to allow him to pound the zone consistently, and club officials note that his command has improved as he's climbed the Minor League ladder. Honeywell is also a fearless competitor on the mound, and he receives raves for his ability to mix pitches, set up hitters and execute a game plan.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Screwball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Cutter: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 60
Honeywell was anything but a known commodity in Draft circles when the Rays selected him with the No. 72 overall pick in 2014 out of Walters State CC. He's since blossomed into one of the better right-handed pitching prospects in the Minors, making a quick climb through the Rays' system before capping his 2016 campaign with a strong showing in his first taste of the Double-A level. He built on that success in the Arizona Fall League, where he fanned five of the six hitters he faced over two perfect innings in the annual Fall Stars Game. He excelled back in Double-A to begin 2017, moved up to Triple-A in mid-April and then starred on a national stage yet again, earning MVP honors in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game as the starter for the U.S. Team.
Honeywell has a bevy of weapons at his disposal, with the ability to both throw strikes and generate whiffs with five distinct pitches. He throws his fastball in the low- to mid-90s with late sinking action and backs it with a host of secondary offerings, including his trademark screwball as well as a plus changeup. His feel for commanding his above-average cutter down in the zone gives him yet another out pitch, while his curveball represents a quality change-of-pace offering.
With natural athleticism, smooth mechanics and a repeatable delivery, Honeywell has proved to be a gifted strike-thrower early in his career, showing command that has improved as he's climbed the Minor League ladder. He's also a fearless competitor on the mound and draws raves for his ability to mix pitches, set up hitters and execute a game plan.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Screwball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
Though Honeywell was a little-known prospect headed into the 2014 Draft, the Rays liked what they saw from the right-hander enough to select him in the second round with the 72nd overall pick. After a dominant pro debut in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, Honeywell thrived last year in his full-season debut between Class A Bowling Green and Class A Advanced Charlotte. It was more of the same for Honeywell during the first half of 2016, when he parlayed another strong showing with Charlotte into a mid-season promotion to Double-A.
Honeywell is a good athlete who repeats his quick and effortless delivery with ease. His velocity has steadily increased over the past few years to the point where he now operates in the low 90s and can reach back for a few more ticks as needed, and scouts believe he could add even more velocity as he grows into his lean and athletic frame. Honeywell's outstanding screwball represents his best secondary offering and is anything but a novelty, as he's adept at using his advanced arsenal to set up the pitch. He also mixes in an above-average changeup and serviceable curveball.
Honeywell is a fierce competitor who attacks the zone better than most pitchers his age, and his athleticism and smooth mechanics suggest his command should continue to improve. The Rays rarely rush their top young arms to the Major Leagues, but that doesn't preclude Honeywell from jumping on the fast track in 2016 with some upper-level experience.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Screwball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Honeywell went undrafted out of high school, but made a late push up draft boards in 2014 after a solid spring in junior college. The Rays made him the 72nd overall pick in 2014 and he continued his strong performance in the professional ranks.
Honeywell significantly increased his velocity after high school, going from typically throwing his fastball in the mid 80s to consistently working in the low 90s and touching as high as 97 mph. He's still projectable, leading scouts to believe he could more consistently reach those higher velocities as he continues to physically mature. Though he doesn't throw it often, his best secondary offering is his screwball. His advanced feel for pitching allows him to get the most out of his deep repertoire.
Honeywell has good athleticism and repeats his quick, easy delivery well. He has good command as a result and isn't afraid to attack hitters, traits that will help him as he advances in the Minor Leagues.
