Mikie Mahtook

Mahtook has to be thankful he is finally out of options in his major-league career and can no longer be sent to Triple-A without being exposed to waivers. He has hit well in Triple-A over the past few seasons, but that has not translated against big-league pitching as he owns a .242/.297/.416 line over 940 PA. Historically a player that has been most serviceable on the short side of an outfield platoon due to his ability to hit lefties, Mahtook saw extra playing time early on last season after showing improvement against righties in 2017. That success was short-lived as he was nearly 20% below the league average against righties, and even worse against lefties. He is serviceable defensively at all three outfield spots. It looks like left field will be his primary position to begin 2019.

Mahtook was a relative bright spot for Detroit last season, posting a 107 wRC+ and .335 wOBA before going down with a season-ending groin injury. Some of the advanced numbers were bloated given the data-collection technology at Comerica Park was clearly hot, but Mahtook had a 40 percent hard-hit rate in 2015 while with Tampa Bay and a 36 percent hard-hit rate on the road in 2017, so it wasn't a total fluke. Mahtook made more consistent contact, finishing with a 20.8 percent strikeout rate to go with an improved 6.1 percent walk rate. He improved dramatically against right-handed pitching, upping his batting line against righties from .160/.211/.227 to .280/.340/.443. That development, coupled with the Tigers' complete lack of outfield depth, should afford Mahtook a chance to play regularly in 2018. He may even lead off for Detroit, so he could be a useful compiler in deeper formats.

Mahtook's offense took a significant step back in 2016, his second MLB season, as he finished under the Mendoza Line while seeing his strikeout rate jump to 34.7 percent. In fact, pick out pretty much any offensive category for downturns of varying degrees for the 27-year-old outfielder. Perhaps the most drastic was in his power numbers, as Mahtook's HR/FB rate took a dive from 28.1 percent to 5.4 percent, and his hard contact rate dipped more than eight points as well. The long-ball decline may actually have been just a regression to the mean, as Mahtook has topped out at 12 homers back in 2014 at Triple-A Durham. What he has consistently demonstrated in the past is proficiency on the basepaths, as Mahtook posted double-digit steals in four minor league stops. The 27-year-old currently slots as a backup at all three outfield positions and could certainly take another positive step forward in 2017, although he'll likely be limited to a platoon role after being dealt to the Tigers during the offseason.

Mahtook had quite the limited sample debut in 2015, hitting .295/.351/.619 with nine home runs and 22 runs in 115 plate appearances. His above average .338 BABIP implies that luck may have played a role, but this is still a former first-round pick that could carve out a regular role in the outfield if things break right. He can play all three outfield positions, making him a prime candidate to be the team’s fourth outfielder and possibly more if his bat produces like it did in 2015’s small sample. A larger sample at Triple-A Durham suggests otherwise, however, where Mahtook hit just .249/.304/.366 with a 23 percent strikeout rate. His promotion was brought on more by need than performance, but at least he was able to capitalize on the opportunity. The Rays mix and match enough in the corner outfield and at designated hitter to think the 25-year-old reaches triple digits in major league plate appearances in 2016.

The former first-round pick spent the entire season at Triple-A Durham and did well at the plate, batting .292/.362/.458 with 51 extra base hits and 18 stolen bases in 132 games. Despite being a first-round pick, he has never been thought of as a top prospect and right now, it is unclear what 2015 holds in store for him. The Rays have their outfield depth chart fairly well set and that would seem to leave no room for Mahtook unless he were to beat out Brandon Guyer in camp for a job. Given the fact Mahtook has options left, he could very well find himself back in Durham to begin the season and come up to cover injuries as needed.

Mahtook spent the 2013 season with Double-A Montgomery, playing in more than 130 minor league games for the second straight year. His overall numbers remained very steady from the previous season, as he hit .254/.322/.386 with seven home runs and 68 RBI. He possesses solid speed, with a 25-for-33 mark on stolen base attempts last season to go along with eight triples. His range in the field gives him the versatility to play all over the outfield, but his power is still developing, and the Rays are beginning to have a crowd in the organization in the outfield. He could begin the season with Triple-A Durham in 2014 following a full season at the Double-A level.

The Rays' 2011 first-round pick, Mahtook put together a solid first professional season. He spent 90 games at High-A Charlotte hitting .290/.358/.419 with seven triples, five home runs, and 19 stolen bases before getting the call to Double-A Montgomery. His overall numbers dropped slightly, but he hit four home runs and 25 RBI in only 39 games. The Rays hope to see the power he was known for at LSU develop over this next season, but he is an intriguing prospect because of his power-speed combo and ability to play multiple outfield positions (he played center field and right field in 2012). Mahtook is still a little ways from being a big-league regular, but as a fast-rising college hitter, it would not be out of the question for him to be a September callup in 2013 or even earlier.

The Rays selected Mahtook with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft. As a Junior at LSU, Mahtook led the team in essentially every major offensive category including 14 home runs and 29 stolen bases. The Rays sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he hit .338 with three home runs but missed some time with a balky hamstring. Given his age (22), look for the Rays to start him off at High-A Charlotte where he could earn a promotion to Double-A Montgomery by season's end. Given the speed/power combo, this is a player to keep an eye on.