Desmond Lindsay

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #11 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Mets' top pick in 2015, Lindsay has not produced offensively since reaching full-season ball in 2017. Injuries have cut into his playing time--he hit the disabled list in 2018 with a flare-up in his elbow that required nerve transposition surgery the year before--but even when healthy Lindsay hasn't resembled the hitter from early in his pro career. Something seemed to click during an assignment to the Arizona Fall League, even though he received sporadic play as a member of the taxi squad.
  
  Scouting Report: Lindsay matched his home run total from the regular season (three) in just eight AFL games as he emphasized a new swing that allowed him to contact the ball out front. That enabled him to hit the ball in the air for power thanks to his above-average exit velocities. Lindsay had been letting the ball travel too deep and was hitting too many ground balls, but if his new approach sticks, the Mets are willing to accept a few strikeouts for more power. He has always worked deep counts and draws walks at a high rate. Lindsay is a plus runner who has developed into an above-average center fielder as a pro after playing third base in high school. His arm is average and enough for center or left.
  
  The Future: Lindsay is one of the strongest and most athletic players in the Mets' system, but things just haven't clicked for him at the plate. Perhaps swing tweaks and an AFL confidence boost will do the trick in 2019, when he should be able to reach Double-A even if he has to repeat high Class A St. Lucie first.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #8 prospect in 2018
  The Mets' top draft pick in 2015 after they sacrificed their first-rounder to sign free agent Michael Cuddyer, Lindsay has flashed impact potential in pro ball--but only in glimpses and only in between injuries. Hamstring trouble affected him in high school and in his first two pro seasons, then in 2017 he was plagued by elbow trouble that required season-ending surgery in late July to transpose his ulnar nerve. At full strength, Lindsay has power-speed potential and a discerning batting eye. He struggled out of the gate in 2017 at low Class A Columbia and hit just .149 through his first 38 games, but an altered eyeglass prescription might have cued a late surge. In his final 27 games before surgery, he hit .300/.352/.560 with six of his eight home runs. Lindsay has plus raw power and impacts the ball to all fields when he connects, but he didn't do that often enough, with rates for walks (13 percent) and strikeouts (31 percent) that ranked among the highest in the South Atlantic League. A prep third baseman, Lindsay has used his above-average speed to develop into an average center fielder with an average arm. A healthy season would go a long way toward determining Lindsay's future potential and timetable. Moving to a more hitter-friendly park at high Class A St. Lucie in 2018 could help.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #4 prospect in 2017
  Lindsay fell to No. 53 overall in the 2015 draft because he missed virtually all of his senior year with a hamstring injury, but he intrigued the Mets with his power-speed potential and feel to hit. He strained the same hamstring in 2016, which precluded him from joining a full-season team. He joined short-season Brooklyn in late July and showed tantalizing ability in 32 games. A twitchy athlete, Lindsay is naturally muscled and already physically mature as a teenager. With plus bat speed and an all-fields approach, he has the chance to grade as a plus hitter with above-average power. He walked nearly as often as he struck out in the New York-Penn League and takes disciplined at-bats, which helps him get to plus raw power to his pull side. A plus runner, Lindsay still looks tentative in the field and on the bases because of his injury history. A third baseman in high school, he has work to do to become average in center field. He has improved his jumps with experience and his throwing by lengthening his arm stroke. The long rehab periods and daily pre-game work have taught Lindsay self-discipline and have prepared him mentally to play every day. Lindsay has true five-tool potential if he improves his outfield play and regains confidence in his twice-injured hamstring. Low Class A Columbia will be his next step.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #8 prospect in 2016
  A hamstring injury limited Lindsay to just seven games in the spring leading up to the 2015 draft, which precluded teams from gauging his potential out of high school. The Mets were thrilled to land him in the second round after surrendering their first-round pick to sign free agent Michael Cuddyer the previous offseason. Lindsay signed for $1,142,700 and hit .304 with gap power during his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He stands out for his mature 6-foot, 200- pound physique, but the 18-year-old's combination of power, speed and athleticism give him the foundation to grow his game. He whips the bat through the zone with an inside-out swing that produces line drives to the middle of the field and the opposite way. The ball jumps off his bat and some scouts expect him to turn his doubles into at least average home-run produc- tion, especially because he controls the strike zone. A converted prep third baseman, Lindsay has plus running speed, but his inexperience in center field shows with less-than-desirable routes and positioning. He has the arm to handle any of the three outfield positions. The Mets regarded Lindsay as one of the best power-speed prospects in his draft class and a borderline first-round talent. A late-August promotion to short-season Brooklyn probably was a stepping stone to an assignment at low Class A Columbia in 2016.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #102 prospect in 2015 draft
  Lindsay played well last summer, earning MVP honors at the Perfect Game 17U WWBA, and then helped the EvoShield Canes win the WWBA World Championship last fall. His spring wasn't as productive, however, as he was limited to just seven games by a hamstring injury. When he's healthy, Lindsay, a North Carolina commit, offers an enticing combination of power, speed and athleticism. He has fast hands and produces good bat speed, enabling him to drive the ball with ease. His approach is geared toward hitting the ball up the middle or going the other way, sometimes to the detriment of his power, which works best when he turns on the ball. Listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Lindsay is well built and is a plus runner. That gives him a chance to play center field, though he doesn't have much outfield experience and would need time to learn the position. He primarily played third base in high school, but his arm strength is average at best and left him without a clear defensive home. Lindsay has enough offensive potential to play left field or first base, but it would greatly help his profile if he can develop into a capable center fielder.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #4 prospect in 2016
  Lindsay was the Mets' first pick in the 2015 draft, and they've had to be patient with him. He strained his hamstring in back-to-back years--first in the spring leading up to the draft and again at the beginning of this year. That led to a late start to his 2016 season, but he wasted little time in showing the tools that made him a lucrative pick. Lindsay has an advanced offensive approach for his age and a quick bat that allows him to spray line drives to all three fields. His power is geared more for the gaps, but he has the chance to develop plus raw power. A plus runner, Lindsay has enough speed and arm for center field, but he's still learning the nuances of the position. Lindsay played third base in high school. One scout said he thought Lindsay looked tentative in the outfield and on the basepaths as he came back from his second hamstring injury in two years. Lindsay flashes five-tool potential, but the key going forward will be health. The Cyclones handled him carefully, working him into the DH spot to spell him after multiple games in the outfield. Barring injury, Lindsay appears ticketed for low Class A Columbia in 2017.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #19 prospect in 2015
  When the Mets signed free agent Michael Cuddyer last offseason, it cost them their 2015 first-round pick. They used their top choice, in the second round (No. 53 overall) to select Lindsey, who signed for $1,142,700. Lindsay looks like a man among boys, with a strong, physically mature build for his age. That physicality produces a powerful set of tools and athleticism. His quick hands generate plus bat speed, with an inside-out swing that he uses to stay through the middle of the field and work the opposite way. He hasn't shown much game power yet because his swing and approach aren't geared for that, but some scouts believe the strength and bat speed he has will lead to power growth once he learns to turn on balls with more authority. A third baseman through most of high school, Lindsay is now a center fielder who has plus speed. He still is learning to play the outfield, so his routes and positioning need improvement.

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets' top draft pick in 2015 after they sacrificed their first-rounder to sign free agent Michael Cuddyer, Lindsay has flashed impact potential in pro ball--but only in glimpses between injuries. Hamstring troubles affected him in high school and in his first two pro seasons, then in 2017 he was plagued by elbow trouble that required season-ending surgery in late July to transpose his ulnar nerve. SCOUTING REPORT: At full strength, Lindsay has power-speed potential and a discerning batting eye. He struggled out of the gate in 2017 at low Class A Columbia and hit just .149 through his first 38 games, but an altered eyeglass prescription might have cued a late surge. In his final 27 games, he hit .300/.352/.560 with six of his eight home runs. Lindsay has plus raw power and impacts the ball to all fields when he connects, but he didn't do that often enough, with rates for walks (13 percent) and strikeouts (31 percent) that ranked among the highest in the South Atlantic League. A prep third baseman, Lindsay has used his above-average speed to develop into an average center fielder with an average arm. THE FUTURE: A healthy season would go a long way toward determining Lindsay's future potential and timetable. Moving to a more hitter-friendly park at high Class A St. Lucie in 2018 could help.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Lindsay fell to the No. 53 overall in the 2015 draft because he missed virtually all of his senior year with a hamstring injury, but he intrigued the Mets with his power-speed potential and feel to hit. He strained the same hamstring in 2016, limiting him to just 32 tantalizing games at short-season Brooklyn. Scouting Report: A twitchy athlete, Lindsay is naturally muscled and already physically mature as a teenager. With plus bat speed and an all-fields approach, he has the chance to grade as a plus hitter with above-average power. He walked nearly as often as he struck out in the New York-Penn League and takes disciplined at-bats, which helps him get to plus raw power to his pull side. A plus runner, Lindsay still looks tentative in the field and on the bases because of his injury history. A third baseman in high school, he has work to do to become average in center field. He has improved his jumps with experience and his throwing by lengthening his arm stroke. The long rehab periods and daily pre-game work have taught Lindsay self-discipline and have prepared him mentally to play every day.
  
  The Future: Lindsay has true five-tool potential if he improves his outfield play and regains confidence in his twice-injured hamstring. Low Class A Columbia will be his next step.