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Rays To Promote Curtis Mead

By Steve Adams | August 4, 2023 at 11:33am CDT

The Rays are planning to call up top infield prospect Curtis Mead for his Major League debut today, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He’ll take the roster spot that was vacated when ace Shane McClanahan was placed on the injured list yesterday. Mead is already on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster.

Mead, 22, came to the Rays in what originally looked like a minor swap with the Phillies but could end proving impactful for both clubs. Tampa Bay sent lefty Cristopher Sanchez to Philadelphia back in November of 2019, and while he’s has reached the Majors and contributed quite nicely this season (2.66 ERA in nine starts), Mead is widely regarded as one of the game’s most advanced hitting prospects. He checks in at No. 31 on MLB.com’s ranking of the sport’s top 100 prospects and also checks in at No. 67 over at Baseball America and No. 20 at FanGraphs. The Australian-born infielder has spent time at third base, second base and first base throughout his time in the minors, with many scouting reports on him pegging him as a long-term second baseman due to questions about his arm strength at third base.

There’s little questioning Mead’s hit tool, however. He’s punched out in just 12.8% of his plate appearances at Triple-A and just 15.7% of his minor league plate appearances overall. He’s hitting .291/.379/.453 this season, albeit with just three home runs on the year. He’s tacked on 16 doubles and a pair of triples as well, and his impressive 12.8% walk rate couples with that high-end hit tool to drive that strong on-base percentage.

Despite the meager power output in 2023, scouts still give Mead anywhere from above-average (55) to plus (60) raw power on the 20-80 scale. He missed the second half of the 2022 season with an elbow strain and he also missed time earlier this year after being plunked on the wrist. It’s quite possible those injuries have tamped down his power somewhat this year; he swatted 13 home runs in 331 plate appearances last season before hitting the injured list.

FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen calls Mead “one of the more dangerous hitters in the minor leagues,” touting his simple swing, his all-fields power and a rapidly improving approach at the plate that makes him a more complete hitter. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com credit him with a hefty 65-grade hit tool on the 20-80 scale and peg him for an eventual 20 to 25 home runs on an annual basis. Baseball America is even higher on the offensive profile, tabbing him with a 70 hit tool and projecting 25-plus homers per year. All three outlets raise concerns about his throwing strength and his eventual position, but there’s a strong consensus that Mead’s bat will make him a productive everyday player regardless.

As with just about any Rays prospect, Mead’s exact role with the big league team probably will be difficult to peg. Tampa Bay has Yandy Diaz at first base, Brandon Lowe at second base and Isaac Paredes enjoying a breakout season at third base. There are certainly at-bats to be had at designated hitter, where the team has used a rotating cast of characters — Harold Ramirez chief among them. Manager Kevin Cash will probably work Mead into the mix at various positions for the time being, while Mead’s ongoing defensive development will determine where he lands on the diamond in the long-term.

As things currently stand, Mead can be controlled all the way through the 2029 season and won’t be arbitration-eligible until after the 2027 campaign, although future optional assignments can alter those timetables.

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Newsstand Tampa Bay Rays Top Prospect Promotions Transactions Curtis Mead

Blue Jays Designate Thomas Hatch For Assignment
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Royals Claim Joe Barlow
View Comments (23)
Post a Comment

23 Comments

  1. Tom the ray fan

    2 years ago

    DO YOU COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER

    5
    Reply
    • paddyo furnichuh

      2 years ago

      Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?

      Reply
    • Kruk it

      2 years ago

      Vegamite night coming up

      1
      Reply
      • Fred McGriff HR

        2 years ago

        @Kruk it

        E4

        Reply
  2. phillesfan07

    2 years ago

    Phillies won the trade. Don’t care.

    Reply
    • alwaysgo4two

      2 years ago

      You will not be saying that within 3 years…..promise.

      2
      Reply
    • Mrsuntan

      2 years ago

      Lol

      Reply
    • Bob Lablah

      2 years ago

      Phillies cheated and stoled the 08 WS. They got Alvarado for a side of rice pilaf and the Rays could certainly use Sanchez right about now with all the injuries. So I’d say Philly is winning only in the sport of baseball. Tampa owns that ass in football and hockey….sorry!

      Reply
  3. aussiegiants53

    2 years ago

    Yessss mate! Love it, go you good thing

    2
    Reply
  4. Six Shooter

    2 years ago

    Platoon with B. Lowe?

    2
    Reply
  5. darrenp-2

    2 years ago

    Liam Hendriks may have something to say about that

    4
    Reply
  6. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    At least Cris has been good…

    Reply
  7. Melchez17

    2 years ago

    Most dangerous minor league hitter? .832 OPS?

    1
    Reply
    • alwaysgo4two

      2 years ago

      You’re right. Your opinion is more valuable than those who’ve followed him.

      2
      Reply
    • brother-ray

      2 years ago

      .832 at AAA at 22 yo. And the quote is “one of the more dangerous hitters in the minor leagues.”

      2
      Reply
      • alwaysgo4two

        2 years ago

        He’s going to be an excellent MLB player. Don’t judge one year of hitting injured.

        1
        Reply
      • Melchez17

        2 years ago

        I know, right? You would think a “dangerous hitter” could hit minor league pitching.

        Reply
      • Melchez17

        2 years ago

        Meade… 67th in the IL in OPS. 67TH?
        72nd in slugging… Danger… Danger… Danger… Will Robinson!

        Reply
  8. Ham Fighter

    2 years ago

    That’s not saying much

    2
    Reply
  9. Mrsuntan

    2 years ago

    Nice middle infield for Rays over the next 5 plus years. Will need to find a place for camerino and williams. Very nice problem to have.not to mention Parades at 3rd (but i just did)

    Reply
  10. oscar gamble

    2 years ago

    Rays fans: How much playing time do you expect Curtis Meade to get?

    Reply
    • StPeteStingRays

      2 years ago

      The only way he fits is if he hits. The answer to your question is: it depends.

      Reply
  11. CleaverGreene

    2 years ago

    My mate’s gonna rake.

    1
    Reply

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