Homer Bush Jr. Shows Well-Rounded Game In First Full Season With Rays

Homer Bush Jr. has the tools to do a lot of things really well, and the Rays have been pleased with what theyâ€ve seen since acquiring him in July 2024 from the Padres as part of the return for reliever Jason Adam.

The 24-year-old Bush gets on base. He hits for average. He steals bases. He plays a strong center field.

He showcased all those skills while spending the entire season at Double-A Montgomery and hitting .301/.375/.360 with 57 stolen bases in 121 games.

“Homer quietly put together a very solid season this year for us,†Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach said.

“Heâ€s just a very well-rounded player who is also a leader in the clubhouse. Offensively, he has shown the consistent ability to get on base. The stolen base numbers obviously stand out, but the elite speed can impact the game in so many ways.

“Heâ€s a gifted center fielder with more reps on the grass than (2025 Rays rookie) Chandler (Simpson) had at the same level, for example. So we feel very comfortable about the defensive floor at the end of the day.â€â€

The one thing the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Bush hasnâ€t done yet is hit for power, despite having the build of a football player.

He hit zero home runs in 2025 and has slugged just .373 in three pro seasons since being drafted by San Diego in the fourth round in 2023 out of Grand Canyon.

“You look at his body, and he wouldnâ€t look out of place playing (for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers),†Ibach said. “So while the impact hasnâ€t quite shown up in the offensive stat line, thereâ€s optimism about some untapped power potential.â€â€

Bush is the son of the former big leaguer of the same name.

COOL RAYS

— Following the departure of Carlos Rodriguez after a 15-year stint to pursue other opportunities, the Rays promoted Hamilton Marx to fill the open assistant GM spot. He joins Will Cousins, Chanda Lawdermilk and Kevin Ibach with those titles. The Rays do not have a GM. All four report to baseball operations president Erik Neander.

— Also promoted were Samantha Bireley, from assistant to director of baseball operations; Jeremy Sowers, from assistant to director of major league operations; and Danielle Dockx, from assistant director of player programs and integration to director of position player programming.

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