Mikie Mahtook

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #6 prospect in 2016
  A two-time All-American at Louisiana State, Mahtook's pedigree and all-around package of tools enticed the Rays to select him with the 31st overall pick in 2011. He has climbed the ladder steadily since then, breaking through at Triple-A Durham in 2014 and making his big league debut with a four-game cameo in April 2015. After riding the Triple-A shuttle for most of 2015, He commanded attention by hitting .353/.397/.706 with 11 extra-base hits in 24 September games. While Mahtook lacks explosiveness, he has few weaknesses. Evaluators are mixed on where he projects best defensively, though he has the arm strength and speed to play any outfield spot. Mahtook showed more power in September 2015 than he ever had before, and his offensive skillset might be best suited for the fast-paced nature of the major league game. He is an aggressive hitter early in the count and tends to succeed when he puts the ball in play. However, he swings and misses enough to put his batting average at risk and make him prone to streakiness. Mahtook has earned a shot to win an outfield job in Tampa Bay in 2016, though he will be competing behind Kevin Kiermaier in center field and supporting players Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings and Steven Souza.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #6 prospect in 2015
  The Rays nabbed Mahtook with the 31st overall pick in 2011 after he earned All-America honors on two occasions and won a national championship at Louisiana State. He had two modest seasons to open his career before taking significant steps in his development last year in his first taste of Triple-A while leading the farm system in RBIs. Mahtook's impressive intangibles and strong drive allow him to get the most out of his solidaverage tools. He returned to center field on a full-time basis last season after seeing most of his activity at the corners and excelled, emerging as the best defensive outfielder in the farm system. An above-average runner who takes precise routes, Mahtook has plus range and a good arm that is a tick above-average, with solid carry and accuracy. He drove the ball more consistently last year while still hitting for average. He uses the entire field and can pull the ball when needed. He is also a smart baserunner who can steal bags. Sometimes his own worst critic, Mahtook has learned to use his competitiveness to his advantage. Last season Mahtook became the player the Rays expected upon drafting him. Added experience and development could make him a starting major league outfielder. A return to Durham is likely, but he should make his big league debut at some point in 2015.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #25 prospect in 2014
  A two-time All-American at Louisiana State who helped lead the Tigers to a College World Series title in 2009, Mahtook was the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft and signed with the Rays for $1.15 million. A hard-nosed player who plays the game at full throttle, Mahtook does most things well, leading to solid all-around production. He lacks a defining tool but does offer above-average speed. A center fielder in college, he moved to right in 2012 and spent the first four months of 2013 on the corner before returning to the middle garden the last six weeks, and he profiles better there. He gets good jumps and takes great angles on fly balls. He also has good arm strength and accuracy on his throws, but his arm is fringy for a right fielder. He uses a deep crouch at the plate and has a short stroke that generates good carry to all fields and fringe-average power. His pitch recognition needs fine-tuning. Good instincts could allow him to steal 20 bases annually in the big leagues. Mahtook profiles as a second-division regular or extra outfielder on a contender, with a chance to play regularly if he refines his approach. He will open the 2014 season at Triple-A Durham.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #12 prospect in 2013
  Mahtook was part of a 2009 national championship at Louisiana State and led the Southeastern Conference in batting (.383) and steals (29) as an All-American two years later, then went 31st overall in the 2011 draft. After signing for $1.15 million, he got a taste of pro ball in the Arizona Fall League and headed to high Class A for his official pro debut last spring. He made quick adjustments at Charlotte and did well initially after a late-July promotion to Double-A Montgomery before the length of his first full season seemed to take its toll. Mahtook doesn't have a dominating tool but he does a lot of things well and has a hard-nosed approach. Employing a deep crouch at the plate, he drives the ball to all fields and generates excellent backspin and distance with his short stroke. He should hit for a solid average with 12-15 home runs annually as he continues to improve his plate discipline. With slightly above-average speed, Mahtook runs the bases aggressively and covers ground in the outfield with his ability to take proper angles on flyballs. He played both center and right field last year, though he's likely destined for a corner. He has average arm strength with good accuracy. Mahtook is moving rapidly through the system and could fill a role in Tampa Bay at some point during the 2014 season. He may be more of a quality extra outfielder than a regular, unless he can stick in center or develop more power. He'll open 2013 back at Montgomery, with a promotion to Triple-A a possibility during the summer.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #10 prospect in 2012
  A star quarterback in high school, Mahtook turned down the Marlins as a 39th-rounder in 2008 to attend Louisiana State. He helped the Tigers win the 2009 College World Series as a freshman. Last spring, he led the Southeastern Conference in hitting (.383) and steals (29) while reaching base in all 56 games he played. The Rays were delighted he was available with the 31st overall pick in June and signed him for $1.15 million at the Aug. 15 deadline. Mahtook plays baseball with a football mentality and possesses the power/speed combination to make an impact in the majors. Employing a deep crouch in his stance, he makes consistent hard contact and drives the ball well to all fields. He has a short swing with good weight transfer and extension that generate backspin and distance on his hits. He's a slightly above-average runner who played center field in two of his three seasons at LSU, though he may be limited to left field if he loses a step once his body fully matures. His arm is the least of his tools but still rates as average. Mahtook received his first taste of pro ball in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .338/.410/.544 to demonstrate yet again that he's an advanced hitter who could move quickly. He'll make his official pro debut in high Class A.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A star quarterback in high school, Mahtook turned down the Marlins as a 39th-rounder in 2008 to attend Louisiana State. He helped the Tigers win the 2009 College World Series as a freshman. Last spring, he led the Southeastern Conference in hitting (.383) and steals (29) while reaching base in all 56 games he played. The Rays were delighted he was available with the 31st overall pick in June and signed him for $1.15 million at the Aug. 15 deadline.
  
  Scouting Report: Mahtook plays baseball with a football mentality and possesses the power/speed combination to make an impact in the majors. Employing a deep crouch in his stance, he makes consistent hard contact and drives the ball well to all fields. He has a short swing with good weight transfer and extension that generate backspin and distance on his hits. He's a slightly above-average runner who played center field in two of his three seasons at LSU, though he may be limited to left field if he loses a step once his body fully matures. His arm is the least of his tools but still rates as average.
  
  The Future: Mahtook received his first taste of pro ball in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .338/.410/.544 to demonstrate yet again that he's an advanced hitter who could move quickly. He'll make his official pro debut in high Class A.