Tre’ Morgan and Xavier Isaac ranked among top 1B prospects

The Tampa Bay Rays have two of the best first base prospects in all of baseball according to pundits of the game.

The Rays’ 2022 first round pick Xavier Isaac and 2023 3rd round selection Tre’ Morgan have been ranked 4th and 5th respectively, both by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

Among the top ten first base prospects, Morgan is considered the best defender with Baseball America bestowing an 80-grade fielding tool upon him. Meanwhile, MLB Pipeline stated that Tre’ Morgan was the best defensive first baseman in the minors. It should be noted that Morgan is also considered among the most athletic players at his position. Thus, making it possible for the Rays to try and employ him in the outfield. MLB Pipeline grades Morgan as having the best defensive tools, hit tool, and speed among their top ten first baseman.

The best defensive first baseman in the Minors, Morgan famously made a spectacular game-saving play on a safety squeeze in the 2023 College World Series semifinals, without which Louisiana State wouldn’t have won the championship. He has tremendous range, soft hands and an aggressive nature.

Xavier Isaac’s profile is the opposite of Morgan’s as instead of a contact oriented approach, Isaac has tremendous raw power and is capable of clearing the fence to all sides of the ballpark. Since the start of the 2023 minor league season, Isaac is hitting .275/.382/.500 with 37 HR over 204 games played, registering a 149 wRC+. Isaac did struggle during a promotion to Double-A, but only just turned 21-years old in December.

Isaac also generates impressive raw power and exit velocities, and he slammed 18 homers while advancing to Double-A at age 20.

Xavier Isaac is ticketed to start the 2025 campaign back in Double-A, where he’ll likely spend time at first base and in the outfield. The young slugger will look to improve upon his strikeout rate, which was extremely problematic after his midseason promotion.

Meanwhile, Tre’ Morgan will either start the year in Triple-A Durham, or back in Double-A where he’ll partner with Isaac at first base and in the outfield.

Leave a Comment