Tampa Bay Rays No.3 prospect Xavier Isaac is pretty hard to miss. The hulking 6-foot-4 and 240 first baseman was a surprise first-round pick by the Rays in 2022.
The 20-year-old recently began his third season in the minors. After having made the late season rise to High-A ball last season, Isaac has the confidence that he’ll make the jump to Double-A before this season is done.
With an expected call up set for 2026, Isaac has plenty of time to hone his craft before hopefully making a successful jump to the majors a couple seasons from now. Isaac knows there are many who are still baffled that the Rays opted to take him with the 29th pick of the aforementioned 2022 MLB Draft. The power- hitting first baseman uses that as motivation, and thus far it’s suited him pretty well.
Doubters Are All The Motivation Isaac Needs
In a recent interview prior to the minor leaguers breaking camp, Isaac got candid with reporters about how he’s been viewed since he was chosen.
“I’ve always been doubted already. You know, ‘Why are we picking a first baseman in the first round?” Isaac said. “I like getting doubted. It’s a high ceiling. I can only better. I knew going into that season, I was just getting my body right and preforming how I knew I could. Everybody is starting to turn their heads and see who I am.”
The powerful but raw lefty says folks are sleeping on his ability and he’s out to wake them up.
“Just sleeping,” he told reporters. “Right when I get around third base, I just hit them with the sleep. Everybody is sleeping on me a little bit. I’m going to ride with it this whole year.”
Isaac Wants To Get Better On Defense
During Isaac’s time at High-A last season he batted a respectable .285 with 19 homers and 72 RBI. Isaac also showed a solid glove at first base but he wants to be even better there this year.
“Defense, I’m really trying to win a Gold Glove this year,” he said. “That’s one of my goals this year.”
Thus far in 2024, Isaac is batting .235 with two homers and 13 RBI in 34 at-bats this season with High-A Bowling Green.
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