| Corey Ray | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Ray with theBiloxi Shuckers in 2018 | |
| Washington Nationals – No. 23 | |
| Outfielder /Coach | |
| Born: (1994-09-22)September 22, 1994 (age 31) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 24, 2021, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 24, 2021, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .000 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Corey Donte Ray (born September 22, 1994) is an American former professionalbaseballoutfielder who currently serves as the first basecoach for theWashington Nationals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He played in one game in MLB for theMilwaukee Brewers in 2021.
Ray attendedSimeon Career Academy inChicago, Illinois.[1] In the summer prior to his senior year, he played in the 2012Under Armour All-American Game.[2][3] He was drafted by theSeattle Mariners in the 33rd round of the2013 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign and attended theUniversity of Louisville to play college baseball for theLouisville Cardinals.[4]
Ray appeared in 43 games and made 19 starts as a freshman at Louisville in 2014. He hit .325/.416/.481 with onehome run and 17runs batted in (RBI). After the 2014 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League.[5][6] As a sophomore in 2015, he started all 65 games and hit .325/.389/.543 with 11 home runs, 56 RBI and 34stolen bases.[7][8] AgainstWake Forest, Ray stole home in the bottom of the ninth inning, to give Louisville the win.[9] After the season, he played for theUnited States collegiate national team during the summer.
In the2016 Major League Baseball draft, theMilwaukee Brewers selected Ray with the fifth overall selection. He signed and spent his first professional season with both theBrevard County Manatees of theHigh–AFlorida State League and theWisconsin Timber Rattlers of theSingle–AMidwest League, batting .239 with five home runs, 17 RBI, and ten stolen bases in 60 games between both teams. Ray spent 2017 with theCarolina Mudcats of the High–ACarolina League, where he posted a .238 batting average with seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in 112 games.[10] He played the 2018 season with theBiloxi Shuckers of theDouble–ASouthern League. After batting .239 with 27 home runs, 74 RBI and 37 stolen bases,[11] he was awarded theSouthern League Most Valuable Player Award.[12] Ray began 2019 with theSan Antonio Missions of theTriple–APacific Coast League,[13] but missed time during the season due to injury. Over 53 games with San Antonio, he batted .188 with seven home runs and 21 RBI.[14]
On November 20, 2019, the Brewers added Ray to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[15] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[16]
On April 24, 2021, Ray was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[17] He made his MLB debut that day as a pinch hitter forFreddy Peralta, recording a walk, scoring a run, and moving to right field later in the game.
On June 17, 2022, Ray was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-ANashville Sounds. In 75 games split between Nashville and Biloxi, he slashed .219/.268/.420 with 13 home runs, 44 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Ray elected free agency following the season on November 10.[18]
On March 13, 2023, it was announced that theChicago Cubs had hired Ray to serve as the bench coach for their Single–A affiliate, theMyrtle Beach Pelicans.[19]
On February 5, 2024, Ray was named the manager of Chicago's rookie–level affiliate, theArizona Complex League Cubs.[20]
On December 1, 2025, theWashington Nationals hired Ray to serve as their first base coach, replacingGerardo Parra.[21]
· Baseball Reference (Minors) · Baseball Almanac