Rays Prospects: 3 players in Tampa Bay system named to 2024 Futures Game roster
The Tampa Bay Rays have three players who are named to appear on roster for the MLB All-Star Futures game at Globe Life Field. Here is who they are and what they have done during their time in the minor league system.
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The MLB All-Star Futures Game is set to take place on July 13 at 3:10 p.m. C.T. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The game features some of the best talent teams have in their minor league systems, and the Tampa Bay Rays have three of their own prospects set to appear at the game during All-Star week.
Xavier Issac, 1B, High-A (No. 3 Rays Prospect, No. 31 MLB Pipeline)
Issac was the Rays' 2022 first-round pick out of East Forsyth High School in North Carolina. Despite playing at the Single-A level, he has very much shot up the prospect boards within the organization with his dazzling play at the plate.
In 2023, he was moved from the Charleston Riverdogs (Low-A) to play for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (High-A) and his stats improved into 2024 as he jumped minor league levels. His batting average went from .285 to a now .302 this season and his long ball continues to play a factor with 12 home runs this season, which is well on pace to beat his 19 he hit in 2023. He has also been a RBI machine this season as well, with 56 in 58 games.
Issac is one of the big premier hitters in the Rays' system, and hopefully that hitting is put on display a little bit in Texas.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Double-A (No. 10 Rays Prospect)
If there is any player that represents what the Rays do to win on a game-to-game basis, Chandler Simpson is on the list. The top 10 Tampa Bay prospect has 152 stolen bases in from the beginning of 2023 until now, showing just how good of a small ball player he can be.
Simpson has also begun to thrive as a pure hitter as well, batting .362 in 2024 with an on-base percentage at .416. He has 97 total hits so far this season. Although he is not one of the big name prospects in Tampa Bay's system, he clearly is a player that is making a name for himself and is in a position to really do that in the Futures Game.
Simpson is the embodiment of the Rays' culture of small-ball base running with a great all-around ability to get on base. This is a sign of recognition he deserves.
Tre' Morgan, 1B, High-A (No. 13 Rays Prospect)
Tre' Morgan was a member of the 2023 draft class out of LSU and is player with championship DNA, as he helped the Tigers win a national championship while in college.
In Year 2 playing minor league baseball, he has begun to polish himself, receiving a promotion from Low-A to the High-A level playing with Bowling Green. He is showing he can really become a do-it-all type player, with 14 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .416 in 2024. His numbers hitting the baseball are also getting good; he's batting .333 with an OPS of .904. He also has 40 runs in 52 games, showing just how much of an offensive weapon he can become.
Morgan's college days showed just how good he is at infield defense, but his time playing at the professional level is beginning to give everyone a look at the offense he can provide. It is a style that gets runs on the board at will. He is listed as inactive for the Futures Game, but can come in to replace someone if necessary. Instead, Morgan will compete in a unique hitting challenge after the game ends in a newly developed skills competition.