Mike McDade: New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1st baseman

Mike McDade was returned to the Toronto Blue Jays farm system after a year hiatus that saw him claims waivers by the Cleveland Indians  (November 2012) and the Chicago White Sox (May 2013).

McDade is a big bodied first baseman whose frame suggests more power than he has produced thus far in his 8 year minor league career. He played the majority of 2014 with New Hampshire Fisher Cats, with the exception of 7 games with the Buffalo Bisons

2014 was a below average season for Mcdade. He didn’t hit for power (.116 ISO) and he didn’t show much plate discipline (6.6 BB%), but he did play a solid defensive first base (9.87 RF/G).

The most likely outcome for a McDade at-bat is either a ground out (25%) or a strikeout (19%). McDade’s Batted Ball Breakdown showed that he hit over 120 ground balls in 2014, which accounted for over 50% of all his batted balls, with the majority of those going to the right side of the infield.

Mike wasn’t able to produce much in the way of OPS (.673), wOBA (.305), or BABIP (.288). These below average numbers further illustrates McDades poor performance in 2014.

McDade really struggled in the final two months of the season, hitting .219 in July and .150 in August. This was a huge disappointment since he seemed to be heating up going into July. He hit pretty well in May (.264/.303/.333) and June (.294/.348/.400), but after the All-Star break, he only hit .143/.262/.214 with one home run in 22 GP.

Mike should not face LHP in 2015 as he only hit .214 on them in 2014. In 178 at-bats against RHP, McDade was able to hit .270 with a decent OPS and 4 long balls.

With runner is scoring position, McDade’s bat disappeared. He hit .227/.320/.348 with 2-out and RISP and .215/.253/.316 with 2HR overall with RISP. So not the guy you want batting in the middle of the order, despite him having his best results while hitting in the 4th spot (.271/.316/.367).

McDade’s 2014 stats

The Future

I don’t see a future for Mike McDade with the Toronto Blue Jays, despite only be 25 years old. After 8 minor league season, he appears to be what he is. A good defensive first baseman that just does have the pitch recognition to take the next step. It is unclear if the Blue Jays will be bringing back Triple-A first baseman Brett Wallace, which will directly impact what happens with McDade. With younger options at first base either already at Double-A (K.C. Hobson) or on the way (L.B. Dantzler, and Matthew Dean), I would think it’s safe to say that Mike McDade will not be playing a major role with the Blue Jays in 2015.