April 3, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays are hopeful that first base prospect
Xavier Isaac (elbow) will be ready to rejoin Double-A Montgomery in a few weeks as he builds his throwing program, according to MLB Pipeline's Sam Dykstra. Isaac is currently on the seven-day injured list at Montgomery due to a left-elbow injury that cropped up early in spring training. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting first baseman is the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and was taken in the first round (29th overall) in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder hit .264 (97-for-367) with 18 home runs, 78 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 65 runs scored in 102 games with High-A Bowling Green and Montgomery, but he did strike out 54 times in 133 plate appearances after moving to Double-A. There's lots of raw power with Isaac, but his elbow injury will set him back early on in 2025, and he's unlikely to be an option for a big-league promotion until next year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline - Sam Dykstra
March 12, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Xavier Isaac (wrist/elbow) will not play in the Spring Breakout Game due to a sore elbow and wrist. Isaac has been dealing with this injury throughout most of camp. While he has returned to the lineup as a designated hitter, the team will opt to keep him sidelined to ensure he is ready for the start of the minor league regular season. The team also attempted to move Isaac to the outfield but his injury delayed those plans. Isaac is considered one of the top prospects in Tampa Bay and one of the top at the position in the sport. Last season, the former 29th overall pick spent most of his season at High-A where he posted a .287/.381/.535 line with 17 doubles and 15 home runs. He then earned a brief look at Double-A where he posted a modest .211/.346/.349 line. He will likely begin his 2025 season with Double-A and could push for a promotion to Triple-A later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
March 3, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Xavier Isaac (elbow) returned to the starting lineup on Sunday. Isaac was sidelined during the early part of camp due to soreness in his elbow. The budding star underwent X-rays, and the results came back negative. In this contest, Isaac served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but seeing him return to the starting lineup suggests this injury was not serious. However, it is still unclear when he will be cleared to play on the defensive side of the game. The 21-year-old has primarily played in the infield in the minor leagues but has begun seeing time in the outfield. Last season, Isaac spent most of the 2024 campaign at High-A and held a strong .287/.281/.535 slash line with 15 home runs. He received a brief taste of Double-A and is expected to open the 2025 season at that level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
February 26, 2025
The X-rays on Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Xavier Isaac (shoulder) came back negative. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Isaac should resume hitting in the "next few days" and will "work back into throwing." Isaac has begun to see work in the outfield during camp. However, he felt soreness in his elbow when making a throw. However, seeing that the X-rays returned clean suggests Isaac will not miss much time. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his deployment during spring training as the team may ease his workload in the outfield for a period of time. Throughout his time in the minor leagues, the 21-year-old has primarily played at first base, but the Rays would like to add to his defensive versatility. He made his Double-A debut last summer and held a .211/.346/.349 line across 31 games. He will likely open the season with Double-A Montgomery and push for a Triple-A debut later in the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
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