The List: 10 Powerful Middle Infielders
Every week, The List will rank some aspect of the minor leagues. This week we look at middle infielders with the best isolated slugging percentage (ISO)—which measures raw power—and whether it’s sustainable.
SS Alex Bregman
Double-A Corpus Christi (Astros)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 141 | 10 | 0 | 12 | .326 | .652 | .326 |
The Case: The No. 2 overall pick a year ago has always shown occasional pop, but was pegged as more of a line-drive, line-to-line hitter. He’d never hit more than nine homers in a season at Louisiana State, and he hit four last season in his pro debut, including three in the offense-friendly California League. He said he gained good weight in the offseason and worked on lofting pitches.
Verdict: Fact. Bregman has been playing third base at Double-A as the Astros—currently all set at short with Carlos Correa—prepare him for major league life. Bregman more likely has a 15-homer ceiling rather than the 30 for which he’s on pace now, but he should gather plenty of extra-base hits.
2B Travis Demeritte
High Class A High Desert (Rangers)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 180 | 11 | 3 | 13 | .267 | .578 | .311 |
The Case: Demeritte has great bat speed and plus raw power and has shown it in games previously, clubbing 25 homers in 398 at-bats as a 19-year-old at low Class A in 2014.
The Verdict: Fact. Power should be the one constant for Demeritte. He’s probably an average hitter at best because he gets beat too often in the strike zone and chases too much, but if he can make enough contact, he should be able to pop 15-20 homers, good production for a second baseman. The caveat for this season, however, is he’s doing it in High Desert, one of the most extreme home run parks in baseball.
SS Brendan Rodgers
Low Class A Asheville (Rockies)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 148 | 12 | 0 | 8 | .318 | .561 | .243 |
The Case: Rodgers has been projected to develop power as he matures, but he got a jump start on it this season with 20 extra-base hits already. He has above-average bat speed and good feel for the barrel. He’s of average size but has projection remaining.
The Verdict: Fact. Although offense does play up greatly in Rodgers’ home park in Asheville, his bat speed and advanced tools allow scouts to dream on Troy Tulowitzki-like production in the future.
SS Willy Adames
Double-A Montgomery (Rays)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 169 | 17 | 2 | 6 | .284 | .515 | .231 |
The Case: Adames, now the second-youngest player in the Southern League following Ozzie Albies’ promotion, has not been bothered by the assignment nor the Southern League’s relatively low slugging profile. Adames projects to have above-average power and has started to show it this season.
The Verdict: Fact. Adams has good bat speed and can consistently generate backspin. He should be able to average double-digit home runs, though strikeouts might come with that.
SS Raul A. Mondesi
Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 104 | 5 | 1 | 5 | .250 | .462 | .212 |
The Case: Mondesi has shown an uptick in power the past two seasons—albeit with a higher strikeout percentage—so this season’s breakout wasn’t completely unexpected. He does have good bat speed to generate some power. Mondesi’s home park was among the least home run-friendly parks in the comparative homer-abetting nature of other Texas League parks.
The Verdict: Fluke. The 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance has to cloud any power gains. Mondesi has wiry strength, but a .462 slugging and .212 ISO is not something you should expect going forward.
SS Yu-Cheng Chang
High Class A Lynchburg (Indians)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 180 | 14 | 2 | 6 | .261 | .461 | .200 |
The Case: As with most players on this list—they are middle infielders, after all—Chang has more power than his lithe frame belies. He barrels the ball with regularity.
The Verdict: Fluke. Lynchburg’s Calvin Falwell Field does help power play up, and Chang’s swing is more geared for line drives.
2B Willie Calhoun
Double-A Tulsa (Dodgers)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 180 | 12 | 1 | 7 | .267 | .461 | .194 |
The Case: His motto should be “Have bat, Will Calhoun.” A fourth-round pick out of Yavapai (Ariz.) JC last year, Calhoun has hit as a pro. He’s not big—5-foot-8, 187 pounds—but has great bat speed and knack for the barrel.
The Verdict: Fact. Though the Texas League is comparatively home run-friendly, Calhoun’s home park, ONEOK Field, drags down the league average. Calhoun has good balance and a sweet lefthanded swing with a chance to hit 15-plus homers.
2B Andy Ibanez
Low Class A Hickory (Rangers)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 166 | 18 | 1 | 4 | .307 | .500 | .193 |
The Case: Ibanez is not laying waste to the South Atlantic League the way he did in April (.402/.479/.659). Still, his bat skill is apparent. Ibanez has a short swing and good bat control that affirms his strong track record of success in Cuba.
The Verdict: Fluke. Ibanez is more of a line-drive hitter with occasional power. His ISO surge was more a product of doubles than home runs.
SS Jorge Mateo
High Class A Tampa (Yankees)
| AB | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG | ISO |
| 188 | 5 | 8 | 5 | .303 | .495 | .191 |
The Case: The Yankees’ top prospect has top-scale speed, but power? Scouts say Mateo has above-average raw power, but it hadn’t showed up much in games until this season. Mateo is wiry strong and frequently clears the fence in batting practice.
The Verdict: Fluke. Mateo has the power to pop one on occasion, but his game going forward should be centered on line drives and speed. He could be the kind of player with double figures in doubles, triples and homers.
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