Bankston was committed to playing for the University of Texas before the Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted him in the 4th round (104th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. On June 17, 2002, he signed with the Devil Rays. Bankston started his professional career off well in 2002. Playing primarily as an outfielder for the Rookie League Princeton Devil Rays and the Single-A Hudson Valley Renegades, he hit a combined .301 with 18 home runs in 70 games. His impressive 18 home runs set the Princeton record, breaking Jared Sandberg\'s record of 17. Baseball America rated Bankston as the 2nd best prospect in the Appalachian League and the 6th best prospect in the Devil Rays organization.\n', '

In 2003, his performance dropped while playing for the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs. In 103 games, he hit just .256 with 12 home runs. Baseball America placed him on the Devil Rays organization prospect list as the 7th best prospect. Due to his poor performance in 2003, he spent the 2004 season again in Charleston. Converting to a full-time first baseman, he hit .289 with 23 home runs; his 23 home runs were a career high for him. His good performance also got him named as the team\'s Player of the Year and was also named to the South Atlantic League midseason All-Star team.\n', '

Bankston missed the first month of the season in 2005 with a torn left meniscus. After being activated from the disabled list, he played with the Single-A Visalia Oaks. After 17 games in which he hit .387 with 3 home runs, he was promoted to Double-A Montgomery, where he would be for the remainder of the season. Bankston played in 82 games for the Montgomery Biscuits and had a batting average of .292 with 12 home runs. Baseball America also rated him again as the 7th best prospect in the organization. His contract was purchased by the Devil Rays on November 18, 2005.\n', '

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