The Arizona Fall League is an annual monthlong showcase held that options minor leaguers from every group in baseball. The occasion normally options among the sport’s prime prospects in addition to some unheralded gamers from every group’s system. Additionally it is a means for groups to offer some gamers that endured accidents throughout the common season an opportunity for extra in-game reps.
This yr, the Rays are sending two of their prime place participant prospects in Xavier Isaac and Tre’ Morgan, together with six different gamers. All eight gamers will likely be positioned on the Mesa Photo voltaic Sox, which is a group made up of gamers from the Rays, Angels, Athletics, Cubs, and Purple Sox.
Right here is the complete record:
Xavier Isaac, 1B/OF
Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF
Mac Horvath, INF
Alexander Alberto, RHP
Derrick Edington, RHP
T.J. Fondtain, LHP
Jack Hartman, RHP
Jackson Lancaster, LHP
Beneath is a fast summation of the participant and their 2024 season statline:
Xavier Isaac, 1B/OF
The Rays shocked loads of folks once they chosen slugging high-schooler Xavier Isaac with the twenty ninth total decide of the 2022 draft. Nonetheless, the Rays are trying like geniuses with the choice as Isaac has was one of the vital highly effective bats within the minor leagues and is rocketing up prospect rankings; Baseball America presently has him at thirty second on their prime 100. As soon as in possession of a lumbering physique, Isaac has remodeled into an athletic and agile participant able to stealing loads of bases. He might even spend a while within the outfield throughout his time in Arizona.
A+: .287/.381/.535 | 15 HR | 14 SB | 30.1 Okay% | 12.3 BB% | 157 wRC+ | 302 PAAA: .211/.346/.349 | 3 HR | 1 SB | 40.6 Okay% | 15.8 BB% | 113 wRC+ | 133 PA
Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF
The Rays might name up Tre’ Morgan on Opening Day in 2025 and he’d be a entrance runner for a Gold Glove award. He’s thought-about the completely greatest first base defender within the minor leagues. Nonetheless, with Xavier Isaac sharing the identical roster, Morgan has been pressured to take reps within the outfield the place he has proven to be a succesful defender. In the meantime, Morgan’s offense has been above and past what was anticipated as he has used his hole to hole energy and above common contact capacity to be among the best hitters within the minor leagues. Because the begin of the 2023 season, amongst hitters with at the very least 400 PA, Tre’ Morgan has the 4th highest wRC+ in addition to among the best strikeout to stroll ratios.
A: .320/.398/.440 | 2 HR | 9 SB | 11.3 Okay% | 8.7 BB% | 149 wRC+ | 115 PAA+: .371/.447/.558 | 6 HR | 10 SB | 7.8 Okay% | 11.3 BB% | 184 wRC+ | 231 PAAA: .211/.322/.342 | 2 HR | 1 SB | 18.7 Okay% | 13.2 BB% | 102 wRC+ | 91 PA
Mac Horvath, INF
An alluring mix of energy and velocity in addition to the instruments to be a defensive asset helped to entice the Orioles to pick out Horvath within the second spherical of the 2023 draft. Horvath made his professional debut afterward that season and excelled, forcing his means into Excessive-A inside a month. The now 23-year outdated Horvath didn’t fairly get pleasure from the identical quantity of success in 2024 as he remained in Excessive-A at some stage in the season, however nonetheless showcased his energy and velocity potential.
A+: .229/.318/.406 | 13 HR | 35 SB | 25.9 Okay% | 10.8 BB% | 107 wRC+ | 444 PA
Alexander Alberto, RHP
Though he’s simply 22-years outdated, 6’8” Alexander Alberto has been within the Rays system for a very long time. Initially signed on the Worldwide Signing day of 2019, Alberto didn’t make his debut till 2021 and didn’t transfer stateside till 2022. So far, command has been extraordinarily problematic for Alberto, however his projectability is enjoyable to dream about. Look no additional than FanGraphs write up of the tall righty and their hopes ooze of the web page.
We’ve been ready for years for Alberto to exit the womb of the complicated…
This can be a low-and-slow barbecue dev prospect with freakish measurement and arm energy. He’s by no means thrown strikes, however it’s powerful to dismiss somebody who’s constructed and strikes like this.
Alberto will likely be Rule 5 eligible this offseason.
CPX: 4.91 ERA | 3.37 FIP | 30.2 Okay% | 17.0 BB% | .250 AVG | 17.1 WHIFF% | 11 IPA: 1.59 ERA | 3.45 FIP | 23.3 Okay% | 11.1 BB% | .169 AVG | 14.7 WHIFF% | 22 2⁄3 IP
Derrick Edington, RHP
Some of the intriguing gamers heading to Arizona is 25-year outdated Derrick Edington. Like Alberto, Edington has an imposing physique on the mound as stands in at 6’8.” After graduating from faculty in 2022, Edington went undrafted and ventured into the Impartial Leagues the place loved loads of success and caught the eye of the Rays, who signed him in Could of 2024.
CPX: 0.00 ERA | 2.82 FIP | 29.4 Okay% | 11.8 BB% | .200 AVG | 40.0 WHIFF% | 4 IPA+: 5.92 ERA | 5.49 FIP | 25.2 Okay% | 8.4 BB% | .253 AVG | 10.6 WHIFF% | 24 1⁄3 IP
T.J. Fondtain, LHP
Throughout his collegiate days, Fondtain was a strong two-way participant however scouts believed his greatest means ahead could be to transition right into a full-time pitcher. The Rays have been among the many groups to consider this, deciding on Fondtain within the 14th spherical of the 2023 draft. A 6’5” southpaw, there’s a perception that as Fondtain develops, his common velocity will enhance and make him a possible weapon out of the bullpen.
A+: 3.38 ERA | 4.39 FIP | 28.4 Okay% | 5.5 BB% | .194 AVG | 15.1 WHIFF% | 61 1⁄3 IP
Jack Hartman, RHP
In November, 2022, the Rays have been within the midst of their normal churn to clear 40-man roster area. One of many strikes made was to ship 1B Ji-Man Choi to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In return, the Rays obtained Jack Hartman, the Pirates 4th spherical choice in 2020. Initially an infielder in faculty, Hartman’s arm energy led to him taking the mound. His velocity instantly makes folks take discover. Hartman is now excessive leverage reliever, and he superior to Double-A in the direction of the tip of the 2024 marketing campaign. Hartman will likely be Rule 5 eligible this offseason.
CPX: 0.0 0ERA | 2.82 FIP | 50.0 Okay% | 25.0 BB% | .000 AVG | 38.5 WHFF% | 1 IPA+: 3.08 ERA | 3.63 FIP | 28.8 Okay% | 7.2 BB% | .265 AVG | 16.5 WHIFF% | 26 1⁄3 IPAA: 3.78 ERA | 4.21 FIP | 23.2 Okay% | 8.7 BB% | .210 AVG | 12.5 WHIFF% | 16 2⁄3 IP
Jackson Lancaster, LHP
The Seattle Mariners chosen Jackson Lancaster within the thirty eighth spherical of the 2019 draft, however the southpaw selected to go to varsity as an alternative. Sadly for Lancaster, his collegiate profession didn’t benefit any extra curiosity from scouts and went onto the Impartial Leagues following commencement. Nonetheless, Lancaster dominated in Indy-Ball and the Rays signed him in April, 2023.
There isn’t a lot details about Lancaster’s repertoire, however primarily based on the stats, he has a knack for getting the ball previous opposing hitters. Pitching primarily out of the bullpen, Lancaster had a 31.1 Okay% and a 21.1 WHIFF%; his whiff charge was the very best within the Rays system and among the many highest in all of minor league baseball.
CPX: 7.20 ERA | 4.02 FIP | 30.0 Okay% | 0.0 BB% | .300 AVG | 28.3 WHIFF% | 5 IPA+: 5.59 ERA | 3.90 FIP | 31.1 Okay% | 9.6 BB% | .256 AVG | 21.1 WHIFF% | 29 IP
