KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of the Rays’ top prospects, Xavier Isaac, and another fast-rising one, Chandler Simpson, were chosen to play in the All-Star Futures Game July 13 in Arlington, Texas.
“We’re proud of both of those guys,” Rays farm director George Pappas said. “And we’re excited to see them represent themselves, their families and the organization on yet another big stage.”
A third Rays prospect, Tre’ Morgan, was chosen to participate in a new skills competition that will be staged after the game at Globe Life Field. Morgan also is an alternate to be added to the roster in case of an injury or promotion of any selected player.
Isaac, a power-hitting first baseman, is the Rays’ No. 3 prospect and 32nd overall by mlb.com. He is among the game’s top 100 overall in most rankings. In 57 games at High A Bowling Green, the 20-year-old lefty has hit .297 with 12 homers, 53 RBIs and a .932 OPS. He was the Rays’ somewhat surprising top pick in the 2022 draft.
“‘X’ is somebody we’ve been so excited about since we were able to select him when we did — it’s not often that we take a high school first baseman — and somebody with his tool set that has really only gotten better,” Pappas said. “We care deeply for who he is as a player and as a person — just tremendous work ethic — and the tools have only gotten better as he’s been in our system.”
Simpson, the Rays’ third pick in 2022, recently was promoted from Bowling Green to Double-A Montgomery. He is a base stealing fiend, having swiped 94 at Class A last season and targeting 100 this year. He is hitting .368, with a .423 on-base percentage, and covers lots of ground in the outfield.
Simpson, 23, has been converted from infielder to outfielder.
“He has a profile that is very unique — he’s a unicorn of sorts with the type of elite contact and the plate discipline, the bat-to-ball skills and the speed,” Pappas said. “He’s so multi-dimensional, and it has changed quite literally every lineup that he’s been with in our organization. He’s had a really a tremendous year, and it’s a fitting honor for him.”
Morgan, 21, has been a hit since the Rays made him a third-round pick in 2023 out of LSU. He has posted a .357 average and .941 OPS over 64 games between the Florida Complex League, and Class A play at Charleston and Bowling Green.
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Explore all your optionsThe skills competition will feature eight prospects in three different hitting drills based somewhat on video games.
The Rays’ top two prospects are not in the game. Infielder Junior Caminero is sidelined with a left quad strain. Shortstop Carson Williams was not on the final list from Major League Baseball, which sets the rosters with input from the teams.
Devenski released
Veteran reliever Chris Devenski, who was released Monday following his designation for assignment last week, was not out of work long, signing a major-league deal Tuesday with Seattle.
The 33-year-old struggled for much of the season around an injured-list stint for a knee issue. He posted a 6.75 ERA over 19 games, allowing 28 hits (including nine homers) and 14 walks in 26-2/3 innings.
The Rays owed Devenski the remainder of his $1 million guaranteed contract, plus a $100,000 buyout on a 2025 option. The Mariners will now pay the bulk of the salary, as they are responsible for a prorated share of the $740,000 minimum salary.
Miscellany
Shane Baz was scratched from his Tuesday start for Triple-A Durham to be available to the Rays in the event rain in Kansas City forces them to play a doubleheader or use the bullpen heavily. ... Centerfielder Jose Siri was chosen American League Defensive Player of the Month by Sports Info Solutions, the company that calculates the Defensive Runs Saved metric. Siri led all centerfielders with six DRS and tied Washington’s Jacob Young in what are called “Good Fielding Plays.” ... Several Rays attended the Team USA-Uruguay soccer match after their Monday evening arrival including Taj Bradley, Jose Caballero, Richie Palacios, Ben Rortvedt, Amed Rosario, and Siri.
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