Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | TB | 3B | 21 | 45 |
Grades Update: Aug 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 30 | 40 |
Aug 2021 Report
Evaluator: Matt Thompson
Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 171 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA (PHI)
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Not a physically imposing frame. Listed at 6'2" but actually looks shorter than that. He does have some room to add mass. I've watched Mead play winter ball in his native Australia and he's been dominant in that arena. He's been playing in the highest professional league there for years before the Phillies signed him. They flipped him to Tampa for left-handed reliever Christopher Sanchez.
Hit: Stands upright with hands held high above his head with active hands. Uses a unique trigger, picks up the front foot and sort of just hangs it there before his stride. Similar set up to what Luke Voit of the Yankees does. Mead has gone from a pull-heavy hitter in 2019 with the GCL Phillies to an all fields hitter with the Rays. He makes contact at around an 85% clip as well. I do have some concerns with how his swing might play against elite velocity though. Grade: 55
Power: Mead has impressive bat speed. It sticks out right away. He's hit some mammoth homers so far this year, and really generates easy loft with the natural launch. He very rarely makes soft contact. He could hit 25 homers if given an everyday opportunity. Grade: 50
Field: Mead has played all over the infield in his professional career to this point, but his best ift looks to be third base right now, or maybe even second base. From a strictly fielding perspective he will make the routine play, just don't look for more than that. Decent first step, just his problems really come when asked to make a throw. His hands are good enough for second or third base though. He probably ends up as a bit of an offensive oriented utility man that can play anywhere on the corners and at second. Grade: 45
Arm: It's an ugly scene watching Mead throw a baseball. Almost like he's throwing a ball that weighs more than an original baseball if that makes sense. Zero velocity on throws across the diamond, and some of the plays in the at second base or even behind the bag won't result in outs because he won't have the zip to get it there. If you move him to first the bat loses its luster. The Rays have some work to do here. Grade: 30
Run: He's a fine athlete, probably even an average runner right now but he won't be as he matures and adds mass. Grade: 40
Overall: Mead is right on that line for me of second-division regular or platoon type bat. I do have a nice big league comp for him though, as he reminds me a bit of Jedd Gyorko. He will hit fastballs and breaking balls over the plate a long way, and defensively will make the routine play, just don't ask for much more. He's too good of a hitter against both sides of the plate to just be a platoon bat. My fear is the Rays utilize him like they've done with Mike Brosseau or Kevin Padlo despite there being more with the bat here with Mead. The adjustment with moving his hands higher has really allowed him to get to the ball on time and at an optimized launching point.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench or Platoon
Risk: Moderate
