2011 New York Mets Draft Candidates: Mikie Mahtook, CF (LSU)

Full Name : Michael Anthony Mahtook
College : Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers)
D.O.B. : 11/30/89 (21 years old)
Height : 6’1" ft.
Weight : 195 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws : Right
Position : CF

Stats:

Year	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	SB	.AVG	.OBP	.SLG	.OPS	.ISO
2009	196	41	8	7	38	9/13	.316	.377	.495	.872	.179
2010	239	68	19	14	50	22/32	.335	.433	.623	1.056	.288
2011	196	61	12	14	56	29/38	.383	.496	.709	1.205	.326

Accolades:

"

• (3x) First Team All-Acadiana, (3x) First Team All-District, and All-State (High School)
• 2009 Second-Team All-Louisiana
• 2009 SEC All-Freshman Team
• 2009 SEC All-Tournament Team
• 2009 SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player
• 2010 First-Team All-Louisiana
• 2010 SEC All-Tournament Team
• 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team
• 2011 Collegiate Baseball All-American 2nd Team
• 2011 Baseball America Preseason All-American 1st Team
• 2011 Golden Spikes Award Watch List

"

Previously Drafted: 2008—Florida Marlins, 39th round
Mock Draft: Top-20 Pick

Skill Set: Mahtook is a true 5-tool player who plays a premium position. While he has played both right field and center in college, his great speed and athleticism will allow him to stick in center field as a pro with no problem. Scouts describe Mahtook as having the speed for center and the arm for right, making him one of the better defensive players in the draft.

His plus speed (ran a 4.44 40-yard dash in HS) not only allows him to cover a lot of space in the outfield, but has also allowed for him to be a threat on the base paths, a skill he is still trying to develop.

Mahtook is one of the few players who have not been affected by the new bats in college because of his plus bat speed. He is near the top of the ranks in home runs, which bodes well for the chances his power will carry over to wood.

A bit of an unorthodox swing, but has little to no wasted motion. Has made great improvements with his plate discipline during his time at LSU. High energy, hard-nosed player.  

Summary:

Mahtook is the type of player that will make himself a fan favorite from the moment he steps on the field. He was a well regarded football player in high school who chose to focus solely on baseball and carried the gridiron mentality with him onto the baseball field.

With his set of tools, potential as a college player, level of performance, and ability to make adjustments, one would think he would be more highly regarded for this years draft, especially in a year with so few premium position players. And yet somehow the opposite has happened, leaving Mahtook as being a bit overlooked.

With the little amount of buzz that Mahtook has been receiving as people are putting him in mock drafts as a "signability" pick for teams like the Mets and Dodgers, I think he could turn out to be a real sleeper in the draft. I would have no problem with the Mets drafting him, because while he isn't as flashy a pick as say an Archie Bradley, he poses a happy middle ground of upside and signability.

Baseball America recently predicted the Mets to draft Mahtook.

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