Results tagged ‘ T.J. Mittelstaedt ’
Ranking the Milwaukee Brewers’ Top 10 Power-Hitting Prospects
Over the last decade, the Milwaukee Brewers have become notorious for their surplus of power hitters in their minor league affiliates. A large reason for that distinction has come through the draft, where they’ve been able to develop a collection of current sluggers at the big league level.
But if you took a quick peek at the present state of their minor league partners, however, odds are you’d respectfully disagree.
With a farm system looking to reload at this June’s draft, the Brewers have hardly any positional prospects who could push for a call-up in the immediate future, let alone any with exceptional power potential. However, there have been a few youngsters who’ve gotten off to a hot start this season, strutting their power as best they can. Just who are these youngsters and what qualifies them as a “slugger”? Let’s find out.
*All statistics through May 15, 2012
10. Chadwin Stang
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 pounds
DOB: 3/26/1989
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, eighth round
2012 Stats
Low-A: .248/.343/.440, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 20 R, .192 ISO, 129 wRC+ (146 PA)
One of the biggest speedsters in Milwaukee’s system, Chadwin Stang can also hit for a surprising amount of power. The 23-year-old outfielder proved in his first two professional seasons that he’s more than capable of barreling up the baseball on a regular basis.
While he’s certainly not a big home run threat (he has tallied just six career home runs to this point in his career), he’s accumulated 23 doubles and 14 triples. This season has been his best as far as power goes, already mashing three home runs and eight doubles for a .438 slugging percentage that ranks as one of the best among all Brewers prospects.
A solid overall talent, Stang’s power is nothing to write home about, so the fact that he makes this list mostly speaks to how very few sluggers are in Milwaukee’s system.
9. Gregory Hopkins
Position: IF
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 200 pounds
DOB: 11/22/1988
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, 24th round
2012 Stats
Low-A: .302/.316/.457, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18 R, .159 ISO, 124 wRC+ (134 PA)
A three-year starter at St. John’s University, Gregory Hopkins was a doubles machine during his collegiate career and also showed he can go yard every once in a while. The Brewers recognized his productivity and acted on it, selecting him in the 24th round of the 2010 draft.
His first two seasons were up-and-down as far as hitting for power goes. Hopkins swatted six home runs and 48 RBI for a .412 slugging percentage in his rookie 2010 season. He followed that up with seven home runs and 53 RBI in 2011, though he saw his slugging percentage drop to .333 with a concerning .104 ISO. He’s returned to his slugging ways this season in Low-A ball, already with three home runs and a solid .457 slugging percentage.
Hopkins has average power-hitting capabilities, and unless a severe spike in production is on the horizon, I wouldn’t put too much stock into his future with the organization.
8. Ben McMahan
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 201 pounds
DOB: 10/14/1989
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2011, 23rd round (Florida)
2012 Stats
Low-A: .293/.330/.465, HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, .167 ISO, 131 wRC+ (107 PA)
Taken by the Brewers as a mid-rounder at last summer’s draft, Ben McMahan was never known as a power hitter during his days at the University of Florida. Moreover, he was never known as a very productive player altogether, garnering a career .253/.293/.358 line in his three seasons with he Gators. However, he’s quickly turned into a decent slugger in professional ball.
As a 21-year-old in the rookie ranks, McMahan amassed seven home runs and 10 doubles on his way to an impressive .519 slugging percentage and .204 ISO. An anxious hitter by nature, he drew just three walks all season and struck out in over 21 percent of his at-bats. He’s off to a fast start this season in Low-A ball, posting a .465 slugging percentage that ranks second-best among all Brewers prospects.
7. T.J. Mittelstaedt
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’10″, 185 pounds
DOB: 2/13/1988
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, 44th round
2012 Stats
Low-A: .238/.336/.429, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 14 R, .194 ISO, 121 wRC+ (146 PA)
One of the more versatile and well-rounded bats in Milwaukee’s system, T.J. Mittelstaedt by no means possess raw home-run power. The California native has proven, however, that he is more than capable of raking up the doubles and triples to compliment his raw speed in the field and on the bases.
Now in his third professional season, the Long Beach State product has compiled just 16 home runs but has amassed 30 doubles and 11 triples. His solid, yet not astounding power has led to a career .433 slugging percentage and .157 ISO.
Mittelstaedt has a very smooth and quick swing and despite being a bit undersized, I think his bat has enough to make an impact at the big league level, possibly as a utility infielder.
6. Michael Walker
Position: 1B/3B/DH
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 pounds
DOB: 6/12/1988
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, 14th round
2012 Stats
High-A: .241/.329/.383, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 16 R, .147 ISO, 104 wRC+ (149 PA)
Taken in the 14th round of the 2010 draft after four productive seasons at Pacific University, Michael Walker has been one of the more underrated power hitters in the Brewers’ system since his rookie campaign in 2010, where he posted an impressive .413 on-base percentage and .434 slugging percentage in 74 games.
The very next season, the tall utility infielder socked 14 home runs and drove in 72, upping his slugging percentage to .455 and .182 ISO. He’s gotten off to a slow start in 2012 from a power standpoint, posting just a .383 slugging percentage and .143 ISO through 149 plate appearances against High-A Florida State League pitching.
Walker doesn’t hit for a very high average, so most of his production comes from his power. He’s an average talent all around, so the only way he could break through to the majors will be if his power develops more fully.
5. Sean Halton
Position: 1B
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 245 pounds
DOB: 6/7/1987
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, 13th round
2012 Stats
Double-A: .267/.350/.410, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 9 R, .137 ISO, 95 wRC+ (120 PA)
Picked up in the 13th round of the 2009 draft, Sean Halton has never been and will likely never be known as a home run threat. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he shouldn’t be deemed a power hitter.
Now in his fourth season in Milwaukee’s system, the cumbersome 24-year-old has amassed just 25 career home runs, none of which have come at more than 10 per season. Yet, he’s managed just shy of 23 doubles and a .431 slugging percentage per season. His most impressive campaign came in 2010 in Low-A ball, where he drove in 88 runs and posted a .123 ISO.
Halton is a seasoned minor leaguer at this stage of his career. And while he’s still only 24 years old, his future with the organization remains up in the air.
4. Khris Davis
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 195 pounds
DOB: 12/21/1987
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, seventh round (Cal State Fullerton)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .328/.451/.448, HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, .119 ISO, 168 wRC+ (82 PA)
Selected by the Brewers early in the 2009 draft after pounding the ball at Cal State Fullerton, Khris Davis got minimal opportunities to strut his power stroke in ’09. That all changed in 2010, when the speedy outfielder socked 22 home runs with 72 RBI, garnering a .499 slugging percentage and .219 ISO in 555 plate appearances against Low-A Midwest League pitching.
The followed up his stellar 2010 campaign with a combined 17 home runs and 84 RBI last season between High-A and Double-A ball. That same season, he garnered a .474 slugging percentage and .173 ISO. Before hitting the disabled list with a leg injury last Friday, Davis was enjoying a very nice season in Double-A ball.
Davis has good overall power, but he likely won’t be too much of a home run threat at the big league level. I’d say he has a better chance at being a doubles and triples hitter once fully developed.
3. Caleb Gindl
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’9″, 205 pounds
DOB: 8/31/1988
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2007, fifth round (Pace HS)
2012 Stats
Triple-A: .164/.203/.310, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, .149 ISO, 29 wRC+ (123 PA)
Drafted as a stocky but slightly undersized prep outfielder in 2007, Caleb Gindl has disproved the belief that shorter players can’t hit for power. The 23-year-old Pensacola, Florida native has proved to be one of Milwaukee’s most productive power-hitting prospects.
Gindl’s productive ways began during his rookie 2007 season as an inexperienced 18-year-old, where he swatted five home runs and 22 doubles for an eye-opening .580 slugging percentage in rookie ball. Since then, all he’s managed to do is average 14 home runs, 27 doubles, a .453 slugging percentage and .162 ISO each season.
He’s gotten off to a slow start at Triple-A this season, most notably due to an expansion of his strike zone and subsequent poor plate discipline. However, he’s a very solid all-around player with good power. I would expect him to compete for the Brewers’ everyday center field spot by the end of next season.
2. Brock Kjeldgaard
Position: 1B/OF
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 235 pounds
DOB: 1/22/1986
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2005, 34th round
2012 Stats
Double-A: .192/.295/.385, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, .192 ISO, 93 wRC+ (61 PA)
A toolsy prospect originally drafted as a pitcher in 2005, Brock Kjeldgaard has been arguably Milwaukee’s most steadfast slugger on the farm since making the transition to first base in 2008. That year, he posted a very solid .225 ISO in 343 plate appearances at the rookie ranks, and has since averaged at least 20 home runs through last season.
At 6’5″, 235 pounds, Kjeldgaard’s towering frame and long arms allow him to cover the plate well. He doesn’t draw a lot of walks or hit for a good average, so his slugging prowess is where his production largely stems from. He has pretty good speed given his size, as he managed to rack up 108 doubles and 10 triples during his time in the system.
Now 26, Kjeldgaard still has time to make an impression to management. However, given that he’s labored at the plate this season at the Double-A level and has yet to reach Triple-A, I wouldn’t read too much into his future with the Brewers. He’s a solid minor league hitter, but doesn’t look to be much of a slugger in the bigs.
1. Hunter Morris
Position: 1B
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 205 pounds
DOB: 10/7/1988
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, fourth round (Auburn)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .303/.357/.470, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, .167 ISO, 135 wRC+ (143 PA)
A power-hitting highlight reel during his college days at the University of Auburn, Hunter Morris has established himself as Milwaukee’s most projectable slugger on the farm. He found quick success during his rookie season in Low-A ball, posting a .436 slugging percentage and .186 ISO. He’s only continued to post gaudy numbers since then.
Against High-A Florida State League pitching last season, Morris mashed 19 home runs and 28 doubles on his way to a .461 slugging percentage, warranting a late-season call-up to Double-A ball. Though it came in just 17 plate appearances, Morris posted a scintillating .353 ISO and .706 slugging percentage to finish up his 2011 campaign.
While he’s struggled to match his past slugging numbers to start this season—along with a concerning strikeout rate north of 18 percent—he’s still without a doubt Milwaukee’s top power hitter on the farm. It should be interesting to see what management plans to do with him given that Mat Gamel’s future is in deep question.
Alec Dopp covers the Milwaukee Brewers as a featured columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @alecdopp and read his blog.
10 Biggest Speedsters in the Brewers’ Farm System
The need for speed on the baseball diamond has always been a necessity at the major league level. Elite speed can not only be utilized in the batter’s box and on the basepaths, but it can also be an extremely valuable tool on defense. Consequently, players with tremendous speed have continuously been in high demand.
Of course, you’d be deeply mistaken to think speed only resides in the big leagues. There are countless minor league prospects, particularly in the Milwaukee Brewers’ system, that have elite speed and are able to utilize it both on the basepaths and in the field of play. Once developed, these young players could turn out to be extremely useful for base-stealing advocate Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.
Who are these young players and why are they considered to have above-average to elite speed on the baseball diamond? Let’s find out.
10. Khris Davis
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 195
DOB: 12/21/1987
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, seventh round (Cal State Fullerton)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .323/.443/.874, HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, .111 ISO, 3.8 SPD, 168 wRC+ (79 PA)
Overview: Drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft, Khris Davis has been a formidable base-running threat dating back to his college days. As a three-year starter at Cal State Fullerton, Davis successfully nabbed 32 stolen bases, averaging roughly 11 per season, while getting caught stealing just four times. Now in his fourth professional season, Davis has tallied 33 stolen bases in 47 attempts.
But for as solid as his speed has proven to be on the basepaths, it hasn’t completely translated to the field. He is by all accounts a solid defender in left-field, garnering a career .980 fielding percentage, his 1.77 range factor shows that his speed is primarily an offensive tool. For comparison’s sake, Davis’ career range factor is parallel to that of Arizona Diamonbacks outfielder Jason Kubel.
MLB Speed Comparison: Jason Kubel, Arizona Diamondbacks
9. Chadwin Stang
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190
DOB: 3/26/1989
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, eighth round (Midland College)
2012 Stats
Low-A: .245/.339/.469, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 17 R, .234 ISO, 8.2 SPD, 147 wRC+ (115 PA)
Overview: Quite possibly more well-known for his name than his on-field production, Chadwin Stang’s speed has helped to transform him into one of the most versatile prospects in the Brewers’ system. He has proven to be a dependable base-stealer and a tremendous glove in the outfield.
Since Stang doesn’t have much consistency or power in his bat (he has a career .248 BA with a .373 slugging percentage), he has to rely on his barn-burning speed in order to contribute in the lower minors. Last season, Stang’s six triples tied for the most among all low-A hitters and in just 119 plate appearances this season, he’s already amassed four triples. He notched 12 stolen bases last season and already has five in 2012, additionally.
Defensively speaking, Stang is without a doubt one of the best outfielders in Milwaukee’s system. In 109 games playing center field, Stang has garnered an impressive 2.16 range factor while committing just eight errors.
MLB Speed Comparison: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
8. Logan Schafer
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 180
DOB: 11/8/1986
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 2008, third round (Cal Poly)
2012 Stats
Triple-A: .255/.311/.400, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 17 R, 3 SB, .132 ISO, 4.5 SPD, 78 wRC+ (122 PA)
One of the standout prospects from Brewers spring camp 2012, Logan Schafer has been on Milwaukee’s call-up radar for a while now. The biggest reason for that has been, you guessed it, his very impressive speed — both offensively and defensively.
Of course, Schafer’s speed extends well beyond base-stealing alone. He’s been a consistent triples threat since his rookie season in 2008, amassing 17 triples in just over three full professional seasons. Moreover, he’s shown to be able to work the bases, with a runs scored percent slightly above 41 percent.
The Cal Poly product has also made a name for himself in the field. He’s an incredibly gifted outfielder with tremendous range, posting a 2.33 range factor and .990 fielding percentage during his career as a center fielder. It shouldn’t be too long — potentially as early as 2013 — before he’s Ron Roenicke’s starting centerfielder.
MLB Speed Comparison: Drew Stubbs, Cincinnati Reds
7. T.J. Mittelstaedt
Position: UTIL
Height/Weight: 5’10″, 185
DOB: 2/13/1988
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2010, 44th round (Long Beach State)
2012 Stats
High-A: .269/.361/.495, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 12 R, 3 SB, .236 ISO, 6.0 SPD, 158 wRC+ (112 PA)
A very productive all-around player in four years at Long Beach State University, T.J. Mittelstaedt has wasted no time in perpetuating his productivity to the Brewers’ farm system in the lower minors. The 24-year-old Cali native uses his above-average speed to his benefit on the bases and in the field.
By no means a slugging presence, Mittelstaedt utilizes his quickness out of the batter’s box on a consistent basis. Now in his third professional season, he’s tallied 11 triples and scored 113 runs in just 187 minor league games. His 41 career stolen bases — 28 came last season in low-A ball — furthermore adds to his reputation as a real speedster.
Of course, Mittelstaedt’s versatility doesn’t end there. A jack-of-all-trades defensively, he can play just about anywhere on the diamond and play it well, thanks in large part to his athletic abilities. Primarily as a second baseman, Mittelstaedt boasts a very solid 3.92 range factor, though he is also a very capable outfielder with experience playing left field.
MLB Speed Comparison: Mark Ellis, Los Angeles Dodgers
8. Scooter Gennett
Position: 2B
Height/Weight: 5’9″, 164
DOB: 5/1/1990
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, 16th round (Sarasota HS)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .276/.297/.398, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R, 3 SB, .125 ISO, 5.4 SPD, 90 wRC+ (128 PA)
Ryan “Scooter” Gennett has turned heads over his first two professional seasons for his exceptional hitting dispute his slightly undersized stature. However, one of the most neglected facets to his game has been his speed.
By no means does Gennett have elite-level speed on the bases, he is a very productive base-runner. The Sarasota, Florida native has tallied 28 total stolen bases on 43 attempts up to this point in his career, and has also amassed 11 triples thanks to his gap power.
While he’s still a bit of a project as a defensive second baseman, Gennett still covers a lot of territory in the field. In 272 games at second base, he’s garnered a 4.72 range factor with much room to improve in his consistency as he’s managed a career .967 fielding percentage. Once that develops, though, his defense could be a real strong-point to his game.
MLB Speed Comparison: Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners
5. Kentrail Davis
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’9″, 210
DOB: 6/29/88
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, supplemental first round (Tennessee)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .273/.329/.348, 6 RBI, 6 R, 2 SB, .066 ISO, 3.5 SPD, 95 wRC+ (73 PA)
Kentrail Davis has always been known for his superb speed; from his college days at the University of Tennessee up until his promotion to double-A ball this season, he has consistently strutted his quickness on the bases and in the field of play.
Though he wasn’t a notorious base-stealer at the collegiate level, he’s quickly developed into one at the minor league level. Last season in high-A ball, Davis swiped 33 bases on 41 attempts and moreover compiled eight triples out of the leadoff role in Brevard County. This season, his hitting inadequacies have limited his chances to steal bases as he’s stolen just two in three attempts.
Davis’ defensive prowess is another impressive facet to his game. In 61 games in center field, the former Volunteer garnered an eye-opening 2.23 range factor to go with an average .971 fielding percentage.
MLB Speed Comparison: Peter Bourjos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
4. Josh Prince
Position: SS, OF
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195
DOB: 1/26/1988
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2009, third round (Tulane)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .218/.316/.317, HR, 7 RBI, 10 R, 4 SB, .103 ISO, 6.0 SPD, 81 wRC+ (118 PA)
Drafted in the third round of the 2009 draft, Josh Prince has always been known for having deadly speed on the bases. Scouts took notice to his tremendous agility during his junior season at Tulane University, where he swiped 44 bases in just 59 games for the Green Wave. His quickness has garnered attention thus far in his professional career, as well.
In his 2009 rookie campaign, Prince stole a combined 38 bases in 50 attempts between rookie and low-A ball and followed that up with a 44 stolen-base season in 2010 with high-A Brevard County. Last season, he totaled 24 stolen bases in 32 attempts. Long story short, Prince’s speed has terrorized the competition.
Not only that, but his athleticism has translated nicely to the field of play. In 239 games at shortstop, Prince boasts a 4.08 range factor but has committed 52 errors at that position, conversely.
MLB Speed Comparison: Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds
3. Lee Haydel
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170
DOB: 7/15/1987
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 2006, 19th round (Riverside Academy HS)
2012 Stats
Double-A: .352/.397/.463, HR, 3 RBI, 10 R, 2 SB, .113 ISO, 7.1 SPD, 141 wRC+ (59 PA)
By far and away the most underrated speedster in Milwaukee’s system, Lee Haydel has posted better and more consistent speed numbers than any other Brewers prospect over the last five seasons. He’s been an absolute force on the basepaths. The only downside is that he hasn’t transitioned that speed into his defense.
Since Haydel is far from a power-hitter, his game is almost solely predicated off his elite quickness on the bases. Excluding this season, the former 19th round selection has tabbed 124 stolen bases for an average of 25 per season to go with over six triples and 60 runs per season. In short, Haydel should probably be deemed the most productive speedster in Milwaukee’s system from an offensive standpoint.
Though for whatever reason, that speed hasn’t transferred over to his defense. Garnering a career 1.79 range factor as a center fielder and 1.63 as a left fielder, Haydel is only average when it comes to covering vasts amount of territory in the outfield.
MLB Speed Comparison: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
2. Reggie Keen
Position: OF
Height/Weight: 5’10″, 180
DOB: 1/13/1988
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: Signed as UDFA in 2010
2012 Stats
High-A: .243/.284/.291, 8 RBI, 6 R, 9 SB, .051 ISO, 3.7 SPD, 50 wRC+ (113 PA)
Signing on as a non-draft pick free agent in 2010 after four years at Radford University, Reggie Keen exploded onto the scene in his first two seasons in Milwaukee’s system, staking his claim as arguably Milwaukee’s biggest young speedster. He’s shown he can steal bases with the best of them and can also play very good defense in the outfield, primarily as a center fielder.
Last season in low-A ball, Keen stolen 41 bases – which was fifth-most among all Midwest League prospects – in 55 attempts for a scintillating 8.5 SPD rating. He moreover scored 60 times and notched seven triples, proving to be one of the most productive top-of-the-order bats among all Midwest League players. He didn’t flash much power potential so he relied heavily on his speed to produce runs.
Keen’s tremendous speed has also allowed him to have great range in the outfield. In center field last season, the Danville, Virginia native posted a 2.15 range factor with an average .971 fielding percentage.
MLB Speed Comparison: Emilio Bonafacio, Miami Marlins
1. Eric Farris
Position: 2B
Height/Weight: 5’9″, 180
DOB: 3/3/1986
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2007, fourth round (Loyola Marymount University)
2012 Stats
Triple-A: .230/.284/.253, 4 RBI, 9 R, 6 SB, .024 ISO, 5.4 SPD, 50 wRC+ (96 PA)
There are plenty of speedsters in the Brewers’ system worthy of being on this list, but few measure up to the reputation of Eric Farris. An unmitigated barn-burner dating all the way back to his college days, Farris has employed his speed both on the bases and at second base and has proven to be an extremely valuable prospect.
As a 21 year old in his first professional season in 2007, Farris notched 21 stolen bases and two triples. Now well into his sixth professional season, all he’s managed to do is log 165 stolen bases — 70 of which came in 2010 — in 197 attempts with 13 triples for a runs scored percent of 40 percent. Farris’ elite speed has put him on the Mount Rushmore of minor league base-stealers.
The usefulness of his breakneck speed doesn’t end there, however. His sensational career 4.73 range factor at second base portends that he could be of a lot of use to a major league team sometime down the road.
MLB Speed Comparison: Howard Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels
Alec Dopp covers the Milwaukee Brewers as a featured columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @alecdopp and read his blog.
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