I don't see how Tom isn't added at this point.
He's played his way into the conversation, even as an older prospect.
What do you see him being going forward? I know he was one of the Indians top 30 prospect year or two ago, but it wasn't til this season that he seemed to put it together. The scouting report I found says a 4th OF type of guy.
Ka'ai Tom Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com
(2022) Avg Exit Velocity: 96.8, Hard Hit %: 100, wOBA: .000, xwOBA: .036, Barrel %: 0.baseballsavant.mlb.com
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Undrafted out of the Hawaii prep ranks, Tom spent one year at Fort Scott CC before transferring to Kentucky, where he showed improvement over two seasons before going to the Indians in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft. He made his full-season debut with Class A Lake County the next year, but ultimately appeared in just 28 games before requiring season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in July. Fully healthy in 2017, Tom broke out over a full season in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League, showing an intriguing blend of hitting ability, power and speed.
Tom is a sum-of-all-parts player who also has some nice tools. He has feel to hit from the left side of the plate as well as consistent pop to the gaps that translated to more over-the-fence power in the Carolina League, where he delivered a career-high 10 homers. Tom's above-average speed is an asset, one that helped him compile 48 extra-base hits while going 23-for-29 on the basepaths in '17, and he receives high marks for his approach and on-base skills ability despite having some swing-and-miss to his game.
Tom played all three outfield positions in the Carolina League, showing versatility which, along with his solid offensive tools, could help him to carve out a role as a valuable fourth outfielder in the Major Leagues.
It’s quite the crowded bunch in the outfield, but I think he and Allen will compete for the final outfield spot next spring. If Naquin has recovered, then he, Mercado and Luplow are locks. Zimmer, Bauers and Johnson will probably compete for the last starting job with Allen and Tom up for the bench outfielder spot.
I don't expect Naquin to be back until late next season, and I don't think Mercado is a lock at all. He's been below average offensively and defensively this year.It’s quite the crowded bunch in the outfield, but I think he and Allen will compete for the final outfield spot next spring. If Naquin has recovered, then he, Mercado and Luplow are locks. Zimmer, Bauers and Johnson will probably compete for the last starting job with Allen and Tom up for the bench outfielder spot.
I don't expect Naquin to be back until late next season, and I don't think Mercado is a lock at all. He's been below average offensively and defensively this year.
Luplow should still have a role against lefties, but I think Zimmer has the best chance of being a starter to begin next season.
He's absolutely been fine for a rookie, but ultimately he's been a slightly below-average performer. I'll give him average in CF, which doesn't matter since Zimmer should bump him to LF, but his bat has been solidly below average.I disagree on Mercado, you are being a bit too harsh on the guy since he does have above average defensive stats in CF but below average in LF/RF, and his bat hasn’t been all that bad (especially compared to what he replaced) that being said I do agree with him not being a lock for the roster. He wasn’t good in Aug at the plate and so-so so far in September hence why he has gotten less playing time of late. For him to make the team next season he has to improve in the corners and has to improve his bat overall as well. He is doing fine for a rookie that wasn’t expected to do much before spring training started.
He's absolutely been fine for a rookie, but ultimately he's been a slightly below-average performer. I'll give him average in CF, which doesn't matter since Zimmer should bump him to LF, but his bat has been solidly below average.
It was good, but it was also ballooned by a .361 BABIP over his first two months. I think his season-long stat line is more in line with where he is as a player right now.First monthish his bat was good but the second part of his season up, it hasn’t been good. The question is what will Zimmer bring next season since his bat wasn’t all that great to begin with? I know we can defend in the OF the question is who will be the guys who can hit for average to above average everyday?
It was good, but it was also ballooned by a .361 BABIP over his first two months. I think his season-long stat line is more in line with where he is as a player right now.
If our OF can defend, I don't need any more than average production at the plate out of them. It's a shame Naquin got hurt, but I loved the idea of Mercado in left, Zimmer in center, and Naquin in right with Luplow/Allen off the bench.
It may seem like I'm a Mercado hater, but I'm just stating what he's done this year. I actually think he has a lot of upside, and he reminds me a lot of a great former Indians hitter.
First full season:
Mercado - .270/.319/.420 with an 89 wRC+
Mystery player - .266/.318/.384 with a 95 wRC+
Both guys started in CF to mixed results
Actually in my opinion Mercado is absolutely dreadful in LF and should never play there again! Bit of an exaggeration but it does look pretty bad out there. Do you have Mercado's defensive stats for CF? and Zimmer's career stats in CF? I am wondering what the difference is in the end. I do not like Mercado in LF and if Zimmer's and Mercado's numbers are similar in CF, I would rather put Zimmer on the corners because of how much I dislike Mercado in the corners and I feel Zimmer will be plus in LF without a doubt. Also with Naquin out to start the season, I feel it will play out more of the Bauers in LF, Mercado in CF, Zimmer in RF (because of his arm) with Luplow and maybe Allen on the bench. You then have Tom and Johnson on the 40 man with Reyes who could also fill in at 1st/OF next season as well. Thats the way I see next seasons tea, but honestly Luplow may be the surest bet in the OF starting next season, the starting spots are really up for grabs and who knows maybe Luplow can earn one of them himself.
There is a huge difference between Mercado and Zimmer in CF. Zimmer was borderline GG caliber, and Mercado is merely average. Moving Zimmer out of CF for Mercado would be inexcusable defensively.
LF is monumentally easier, especially in Cleveland, and with a little practice, that should be Mercado's home.
Keep in mind, Mercado didn't start playing OF until 2016, where he split innings between OF and SS
No reason to think he can't play the corners, despite looking ugly out there at times this year. He's looked ugly at times in CF.
Keep in mind, Mercado didn't start playing OF until 2016, where he split innings between OF and SS
No reason to think he can't play the corners, despite looking ugly out there at times this year. He's looked ugly at times in CF.
I know Zimmer will be plus in the corners so to me if Zimmer is plus anywhere and Mercado is only plus in CF, I would rather have Zimmer in the corner and not put Mercado in a position he is less than average at.