Skepticism Motivates Rays’ First-Round First Baseman Xavier Isaac
First baseman Xavier Isaac felt he had the ability, work ethic and confidence to make it to the major leagues.
After seeing the skepticism that followed the Rays making him the 29th overall pick this year, he now has even more fuel and drive.
“Oh, it motivated me a lot,” Isaac said. “The Rays had their trust in me—like they said, they don’t follow the board—so they trusted me. They got me, and I’m going to grind and I’m going to show everybody why I’m a first-rounder.”
Isaac said the doubts are unfair given that he had established himself as a draft prospect by his sophomore year at East Forsyth High near Winston-Salem, N.C.
His momentum got derailed by a fractured left foot that kept him off the 2021 summer showcase circuit.
“I got hurt, and everybody was like, ‘Oh, he can’t do this. He can’t do that.’ ”
If the 6-foot-5, 240-pound lefthanded hitter made anything clear on his first day as a pro is that he is intent on proving his doubters wrong.
“I have the best work ethic ever,” Isaac said. “I’m going to come for your spot, and I’ll tell you straight up.”
Though his prodigious home runs are eye-catching, Isaac also has the ability to be a complete hitter and a solid defender at first base, which Rays scouting director Rob Metzler said were also key factors in their interest and commitment.
“We like his hands. We like his feet. We think he’s going to be a good first baseman,’’ Metzler said. “And we really like Xavier’s bat. It’s not just about power.
“He can hit (and) can hit to all fields. We think he’s a hitter first with tremendous power. And we’re excited to see it in action.’’
And if Isaac has some extra motivation to prove the Rays right and the skeptics wrong, that’s all right too.
“Xavier is very driven. He’s very focused,’’ Metzler said. “. . . And I think that he’s incredibly focused on showing that he’s one of the best players in this draft class. And we’re excited to have him do it in our uniform.’’
—Marc Topkin
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