Toronto Blue Jays Prospect Mike McDade: The Next Big Papi?

Mike McDade, a first baseman with the Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats, earned a spot on the 40-man roster for Toronto’s 2012 season.

He was added to the roster when the Blue Jays purchased his contract this offseason.

Although he needs to adjust his swing mechanics to become more productive, he is a powerful hitter and has the potential to become an intimidating presence at the plate.

In the 2011 season with the NH Fisher Cats, he had 136 hits, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 37 doubles and scored 71 runs in 484 at-bats with a batting average of .281.

Toronto has given him an opportunity to showcase his skills and to further refine and develop his hitting ability.

McDade has already shown great improvement striking out less often than the previous season.

In the 2010 season, he struck out 141 times in 480 at-bats. He showed improvement in the 2011 season striking out 104 times in 484 at-bats.

Defensively, he is one of Toronto’s best prospects as a first baseman with a .993 fielding percentage with 79 double plays turned, 57 assists and seven errors committed during the 2011 season.

Standing 6’1” and 260 pounds, he is an intimidating presence with a resemblance of David Ortiz threatening to crush the ball.

With some playing time, tweaks with a hitting coach and some seasoning, McDade is sure to be a superstar when Toronto is ready for him full-time.

2012 will be a development season for him in MLB, and 2013 will likely be the year when he gets a chance to make a name for himself in the majors.

Keep your eyes on Mike McDade. You won’t want to miss when he hits his peak.