He isn't the biggest guy on the field. Not even close. At 5-foot-9 and about 190 pounds, Slater de Brun often looks like he’s playing a different sport than the towering 6-foot-4 pitchers he’s staring down. But don't let the height fool you. The Tampa Bay Rays certainly didn't.
In a move that caught most of the baseball world off guard in December 2025, the Rays traded right-hander Shane Baz—an established big-league starter—to the Baltimore Orioles. The centerpiece of the return? A high school kid from Bend, Oregon, who hadn't even played a professional inning yet.
The Trade That Shook the AL East
Most teams don't give up starting pitching for prospects who are still essentially teenagers. It just doesn't happen that often. But the Rays have a "type," and Slater de Brun baseball fits that mold to a perfectionist's degree.
The Orioles had originally snagged de Brun with the 37th overall pick (Competitive Balance Round A) in the 2025 MLB Draft. They handed him a $4 million signing bonus to keep him away from his commitment to Vanderbilt. Then, just months later, they packaged him with Austin Overn, Caden Bodine, and Michael Forret to land Baz. Honestly, it’s a massive gamble for both sides.
Baltimore wanted immediate help for their rotation. Tampa, meanwhile, saw a left-handed catalyst who reminds everyone of a slightly more physical Corbin Carroll.
What Makes Him So Special?
If you've watched any video of him at Summit High School, the first thing you notice is the twitch. He is explosive. Scouts generally grade his speed as a 70 on the 20-80 scale, meaning he’s a legitimate burner. We’re talking 6.6-second 60-yard dashes and home-to-first times that hover around 4.1 seconds.
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He doesn't just run fast; he plays fast.
During his senior year at Summit, de Brun hit .370 and swiped 22 bags. He led his team to a state championship, proving he isn't just a "showcase" player who looks good in a jersey but disappears when the lights get bright. He’s a winner.
Breaking Down the Scouting Report
Let's talk about the hit tool. It’s the foundation of everything he does.
- The Swing: It’s a short-levered, compact stroke from the left side. He doesn't have a lot of "swing and miss" in his game because he stays direct to the ball.
- Power: This is the big question mark. He’s not going to be a 30-homer guy. Most evaluators see him topping out at maybe 10 to 15 home runs a year, mostly through "impact" rather than raw strength.
- The Arm: Unlike a lot of smaller center fielders who have "noodle arms," de Brun actually has some zip. He’s been clocked at 90 mph from the outfield.
- Defense: He’s a natural center fielder. His reads are elite, and his first step is so quick that he covers gaps that most players his age can't even reach.
Scouts often compare him to Slade Caldwell or even Jacoby Ellsbury—another Oregon native who went from the Pacific Northwest to MLB stardom. There's a certain "grit" to his game that scouts absolutely love. He’s the guy who will bunt for a hit, steal second, and then score on a shallow fly ball just because he’s faster than your catcher's throw.
The "Lil Slayyy" Persona
There is a weird, modern twist to this story. Off the field, Slater is actually a budding music producer. He goes by the name "Lil Slayyy" and already has tracks on Spotify. It’s kind of refreshing. Most prospects are so robotic and focused on "the process" that they forget to have a personality. Slater isn't that guy. He’s got flair.
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He was born in Santa Monica but grew up in Oregon. His mom was a TV personality in Canada, which explains why the Canadian Baseball Network kept such close tabs on him leading up to the draft. He has dual citizenship, adding another layer to his unique background.
Can He Actually Impact the Rays?
The Rays are masters at this. they take "undersized" players with elite contact skills and high-end speed and turn them into All-Stars. Think about what they did with Randy Arozarena or how they've utilized guys like Josh Lowe.
Basically, the Rays are betting that de Brun's high baseball IQ and elite athleticism will overcome his lack of traditional "prospect height."
The big hurdle will be the jump to Low-A ball. In 2026, he’s likely headed to the Charleston RiverDogs. That’s where we’ll see if his "hit-over-power" profile holds up against professional breaking balls. If he can maintain a high on-base percentage, he’ll move through the system incredibly fast.
Why Size Doesn't Matter Anymore
For decades, if you weren't 6-foot-2, you were a "project." That's changing.
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The success of guys like Jose Altuve, Corbin Carroll, and Mookie Betts has opened the door for players like Slater. Teams are realizing that a guy who puts the ball in play and creates chaos on the bases is often more valuable than a 6-foot-5 slugger who strikes out 200 times a year.
De Brun is a table-setter. He’s the guy who wears out a pitcher by fouling off six pitches and then drawing a walk. He’s the guy who forces a middle infielder to rush a throw because they know they have no time to spare.
What’s Next for de Brun?
The transition to the Rays organization is a huge opportunity. They have arguably the best player development staff in baseball. They’ll likely work on his "swing decisions" and try to squeeze a little more gap power out of his 190-pound frame.
If you're a fan of Slater de Brun baseball, keep an eye on his walk rates in the minors. That’s the true indicator of whether he’ll be a star. If he can get on base at a .360+ clip, his speed will do the rest.
For those looking to follow his progress, the best move is to track his MiLB stats starting in April 2026. Look for his "Power-Speed" numbers—if he’s hitting doubles and stealing bases at his high school rate, he’ll be in Double-A before he turns 20. Don't expect him to be a home run leader, but do expect him to be the most annoying player for opposing pitchers to face. He's a throwback player with a modern athletic profile, and that's a dangerous combination.