Re: 2021 Rays Prospect Reports
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 11:09 am
CURTIS MEAD, 1B/3B, TAMPA BAY RAYS
LG 6’2 185 lb. frame. Lean build with additional room to add. Hits from a narrow, upright stance with high hands. Displays feel for the strike zone, strong bat control and comfort working to all fields. Takes aggressive hacks early, but competes with two strikes and is a tough out. Generates plus or better raw power, and could get to 30-HR impact as he continues to grow into his approach. Currently a third baseman, Mead is a stiff athlete with an average arm, making him more of a playable defender at the position than a true fit. Likely fits more comfortably in left field or first base long-term. A slide down the defensive spectrum puts more pressure on the bat, but he should produce enough to profile as a strong regular.
NELSON VELAZQUEZ, RF, CHICAGO CUBS
Standing at 6’0 200 lbs. with a thick, muscular build, Velazquez certainly looks the part. He uses his physicality and plus hand speed to generate plus-plus raw power and is the type of hitter who can put on a show during batting practice, but despite his statistical performance the in-game approach is poor and will need refinement as he continues to climb. He’s primarily a fastball hitter who struggles with spin/offspeed and is prone to both swing/miss in the zone and chase outside of it. Above-average arm strength profiles in right field, but below-average speed and instincts limit him to a fringy defender. Plus power potential gives him a chance to play everyday, but the hit tool concerns make a Jorge Soler-like profile the most realistic outcome.
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... ue-part-1/
LG 6’2 185 lb. frame. Lean build with additional room to add. Hits from a narrow, upright stance with high hands. Displays feel for the strike zone, strong bat control and comfort working to all fields. Takes aggressive hacks early, but competes with two strikes and is a tough out. Generates plus or better raw power, and could get to 30-HR impact as he continues to grow into his approach. Currently a third baseman, Mead is a stiff athlete with an average arm, making him more of a playable defender at the position than a true fit. Likely fits more comfortably in left field or first base long-term. A slide down the defensive spectrum puts more pressure on the bat, but he should produce enough to profile as a strong regular.
NELSON VELAZQUEZ, RF, CHICAGO CUBS
Standing at 6’0 200 lbs. with a thick, muscular build, Velazquez certainly looks the part. He uses his physicality and plus hand speed to generate plus-plus raw power and is the type of hitter who can put on a show during batting practice, but despite his statistical performance the in-game approach is poor and will need refinement as he continues to climb. He’s primarily a fastball hitter who struggles with spin/offspeed and is prone to both swing/miss in the zone and chase outside of it. Above-average arm strength profiles in right field, but below-average speed and instincts limit him to a fringy defender. Plus power potential gives him a chance to play everyday, but the hit tool concerns make a Jorge Soler-like profile the most realistic outcome.
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... ue-part-1/