Forecasting Fisher Cats 2015 Outfielders

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On the Roster

The Blue Jays system has a serious lack of high ceiling outfield prospects in the system. The Fisher Cats outfield will have returning outfielders Mesa, Newman and Glenn.

Melky Mesa CF

The 28 year-old native of Dominican Republic was originally signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2003. Mesa made his MLB debut in 2012 which only lasted 3 games. Mesa start 2014 with the Kansas City Royals Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers before being included in a MiLB transaction that included RHP P.J. Walters. Mesa will man CF for the Fisher Cats, but has the ability to play all three OF positions. The problem with Mesa is his reluctancy to draw a walk (3.6 BB%) and strikes out too much (23.9%). Mesa, if healthy, will hit for a low average, steal the odd base, and demonstrate gap power.

Matt Newman RF

Newman was signed by the Blue Jays in 2011 as non-drafted free-agent. Just like Mesa, Newman didn’t show an ability to take a walk (5.0%) at Double-A. He has extra base power (.161 ISO), which is why they had him hitting clean-up last year (30 games). With RISP, he hit .188/.237/.294 with a home run and 27RBI, so maybe batting him in the middle of the lineup was a bad idea. Newman will have more success in 2015 if he can find more consistency. He hit under .225 in May and under .155 in August, but hit over .278 in June and July. What Newman will the Fisher Cats get in 2015.

Brad Glenn RF

The 27 year-old 23rd rounder got a taste of the MLB last year and showed he can hit at the Triple-A level. Glenn has played 271 games with the Fisher Cats and will see that total rise in 2015. Glenn will spend the year bouncing between New Hampshire and Buffalo, but at the end of the year he should hit over 20 home runs.