Local Product Mitch Longo Just Keeps Hitting

Outfielder Mitch Longo has hit .339/.399/.481 through his first 93 pro games.

“He’s put himself on the radar,” assistant general manager Carter Hawkins said.

A 14th-round pick out of Ohio in 2016, Longo has hit everywhere he’s played. He hit well over .300 in three college seasons, where in 2015 he was named the Mid-American Conference player of the year as a sophomore, when he hit .357.

After being drafted and signed by the Indians, Longo went to short-season Mahoning Valley and hit .307. This year he moved to low Class A Lake County, where he missed time early in the season after surgery to remove a hamate bone, but once he returned he did what he usually does: hit.

Through 55 games in the Midwest League this season, Longo hit .361/.431/.530 with four home runs.

“Mitch has some polish to him and has an idea of what he’s trying to do at the plate,” Hawkins said. “Combine that with some strength and feel to hit. He’s had a knack of making something happen offensively.”

Longo, 22, has played all three outfield positions but mostly right field at Lake County this year. A lefthanded batter, he hasn’t flashed much power yet.

An Indians fan growing up, Longo was born and went to high school in Mayfield, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, and he lives in Gates Mills, another Cleveland suburb. Lake County plays its home games at Classic Park, which is a short and easy drive for Longo’s friends and family.

Hamate surgery delayed the start of Longo’s season, but since his return he has been Lake County’s best hitter, and one of the better hitters in the MWL.

“Starting the year with the hamate issue certainly set him back,” Hawkins said. “But he’s made up for lost time. We’re excited to see his continued progress.”