Mitch Haniger

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #5 prospect in 2017
  Originally drafted 38th overall by the Brewers in 2012, Haniger moved to the Diamondbacks in a deal for Gerardo Parra in July 2014 and then to the Mariners after the 2016 season (with two others) for Taijaun Walker and Jean Segura. He led the minors with a .999 OPS in 2016 and received his first major league callup. Haniger overhauled his swing mechanics after he was demoted from Double-A to high Class A in 2015, using D-backs all-star A.J. Pollock as a template. He changed his load and swing path, added a leg kick and continued his revisions throughout 2016. The result was improved pitch recognition and the ability to use all fields by keeping the bat in the zone longer. With plenty of raw power and good bat speed. Haniger makes consistent hard contact. Observers believe more in-game power could come when he gets the timing on his new leg kick down. He's a good athlete who is a tick above-average runner, with good range, and his above-average arm allows him to play all three outfield positions effectively. Haniger is in good shape to crack the Mariners' Opening Day roster and help give them a righthanded power threat in the outfield.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2015
  Haniger was one of two players acquired by Arizona in the July 2014 trade that sent Gerardo Parra to the Brewers. Haniger has struggled with injuries since turning pro. A knee injury limiting him to 14 games in 2012, while both hamstring and elbow problems kept him on the sidelines for much of the second half of 2014. After a good 2013 season which included a stint in the Arizona Fall League, Haniger looked like he wasn't far from contributing in the big leagues. Instead, he got off to a slow start at Double-A Huntsville in 2014 before hitting the disabled list. He's a streaky hitter with plus pull-side power who handles lefthanders much better than righties. Haniger's best tool is his plus arm, allowing him to handle either corner-outfield position as an average defender with fringy speed. A half-season of Double-A should get Haniger a promotion to Triple-A Reno in 2015.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #3 prospect in 2014
  Haniger's brother Jason played college ball, and his cousins Nik (Orioles) and Alex Balog (Rockies) play pro ball. A knee injury limited Mitch, who signed for $1.2 million in 2012, to just 14 games in his pro debut. The Brewers cautiously started him at low Class A Wisconsin in 2013, then moved him to high Class A Brevard County and looked for him to survive in a pitcher's park and pitcher's league, but Haniger thrived and led the organization with 36 doubles. The Brewers like many things about Haniger, including his approach, athleticism, arm and budding power. They believe he will develop 20-homer power because of his plate discipline, pitch recognition and quick bat. He works the gaps and shows plus power to the pull side. His running is fringy at best and he is an average defender in right field. His arm is an asset because it's both strong and accurate. His solid baseball background has given him the confidence and work ethic he'll need to make adjustments. The Brewers' most advanced hitting prospect, Haniger reported to the Arizona Fall League to prepare for a 2014 jump to Double-A. If he continues to improve, he figures into Milwaukee's plans as early as 2015.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #10 prospect in 2013
  As compensation for losing free agent Prince Fielder to the Tigers, the Brewers got the 27th (Clint Coulter) and 38th (Haniger) picks in the 2012 draft. Haniger headed to low Class A after signing for $1.2 million, but his pro debut ended after 14 games when he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. That injury healed in time for Haniger to participate in instructional league. Milwaukee coveted Haniger for his power as well as his overall athleticism and arm. He improved his plate discipline as a junior at Cal Poly, taking pitches, drawing walks and doing a better job of handling offspeed stuff. Those upgrades and an adjustment to load his hands better in his swing allowed him to make better use of his above-average raw power. After totaling 13 homers in his first two seasons at Cal Poly, he hit 13 as a junior, and he could produce 25 or more on an annual basis. Haniger is a fringy runner and average defender in right field. His arm is a weapon, as his throws are not only strong but also accurate. He draws praise for his work ethic, poise and confidence. Because Haniger's pro debut was so brief, the Brewers probably will send him back to Wisconsin to begin 2013. They consider him an advanced player who can move quickly.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #42 prospect in 2012 draft
  The brother of former Georgia Tech slugger Jason Haniger, Mitch is a physical specimen who was a standout wide receiver in high school. He has has generated top-50-pick buzz this spring by showing two legitimate plus tools in his power and arm strength. His throws are low and accurate with good carry, leading scouts to believe Haniger can play right field in the big leagues, though he plays a decent center field for the Mustangs. Haniger racked up nine outfield assists through just 39 games this spring. He's a fringe-average runner and an average defender with a chance to be a fringe-average hitter. He has refined his setup this spring, getting his hands in better hitting position and staying in sync more consistently. He also has become more selective, walking as much as he strikes out and handling offspeed stuff much better than he did earlier in his career, especially with two strikes. His improved approach and pitch recognition has allowed him to make good use of his power--he had more home runs (11) through 12 weeks than the top two teams in the Big West combined.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Haniger has been on the move a fair bit in his young career. Originally drafted 38th overall by the Brewers in 2012, he moved to the Diamondbacks in a deal for Gerardo Parra in July 2014 and then to the Mariners after the 2016 season (with two others) for Taijaun Walker and Jean Segura. Haniger led the minors with a .999 OPS in 2016 and received his first major league callup. Scouting Report: Haniger overhauled his swing mechanics after he was demoted from Double-A to high Class A in 2015, using D-backs all-star A.J. Pollock as a template. He changed his load and swing path, added a leg kick and continued his revisions throughout 2016 to improve his pitch recognition and use all fields by keeping the bat in the zone longer. With plenty of raw power, good bat speed and now an efficient swing, Haniger makes consistent hard contact at the plate. Observers believe more in-game power could come when he sees more major league pitching and gets the timing on his new leg kick down. He's a good athlete who is a tick above-average runner, with good range, and his above-average arm allows him to play all three outfield positions effectively. The Future: Haniger is in good shape to crack the Mariners' Opening Day roster and help give them a righthanded power threat in the outfield.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: As compensation for losing free agent Prince Fielder to the Tigers, the Brewers got the 27th (Clint Coulter) and 38th (Haniger) picks in the 2012 draft. Haniger headed to low Class A after signing for $1.2 million, but his pro debut ended after 14 games when he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. That injury healed in time for Haniger to participate in instructional league. Scouting Report: Milwaukee coveted Haniger for his power as well as his overall athleticism and arm. He improved his plate discipline as a junior at Cal Poly, taking pitches, drawing walks and doing a better job of handling offspeed stuff. Those upgrades and adjustment to load his hands better in his swing allowed him to make better use of his above-average raw power. After totaling 13 homers in his first two seasons at Cal Poly, he hit 13 as a junior, and he could produce 25 or more on an annual basis. Haniger is a fringy runner and average defender in right field. His arm is a weapon, as his throws are not only strong but also accurate. He draws praise for his work ethic, poise and confidence. The Future: Because Haniger's pro debut was so brief, the Brewers will send him back to Wisconsin to begin 2013. They consider him an advanced player who can move quickly.