Curtis Mead

Unfortunately, we didn't get much clarity last season on Mead's long-term or short-term future. Seen as one of the better pure hitters in the minors heading into 2023, the Australian infielder had a strong showing in big-league camp but got off to a slow start at Triple-A before getting hit on the wrist by a pitch in late-April. He returned in late-June and got his first of two calls to the majors in early-August. Mead performed up to expectations at Triple-A after returning from injury, slashing .336/.439/.604 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and as many walks as strikeouts (26) in 39 games. His production over multiple stints in the majors was more modest, although he held his own (95 wRC+, 22.8 K%). The righty-hitting Mead got 13 starts against lefties and seven starts against righties while getting the bulk of his starts at third base. His minor-league track record suggests he can make enough impact to justify an everyday role, but Tampa Bay may not have everyday playing time available early in 2024. Mead is still an offensive-minded prospect worth betting on long term, but he'll need to be playing almost every day to be a viable option in mixed leagues due to his lack of speed.

A 22-year-old Aussie who has always been a bat-first infielder, Mead once again proved to be one of the best pure hitters in the minors in 2022. He slashed .298/.390/.532 with an 18.7 K% and 13 home runs in 76 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Mead ended the year on the shelf with an elbow strain and had an injection to help the healing, so while he was added to the 40-man roster after the season, there is still a slight chance the elbow will start barking again once he's a full-go in spring training. His hit tool is more of an agreed upon carrying tool than his power, but he is a career .517 slugger who has logged isolated power figures north of .200 at every stop above rookie ball except High-A, so there's a decent chance he will hit for plus game power. Mead's one big weakness is defense, as he isn't a great athlete and his arm probably isn't good enough for third base or the outfield. That limits him to second base, first base and designated hitter. He will be competing with Brandon Lowe, Jonathan Aranda and Isaac Paredes, among others, for playing time in 2023. Mead has very little left to prove offensively in the minors.

A breakout age-20 season solidified Mead as one of the best pure hitters who is not yet widely viewed as an elite prospect. He hit .321/.378/.533 with 15 home runs, a 15.5 K% and a 7.4 BB% in 104 games, primarily at Low-A and High-A. Mead then hit .313/.360/.530 with three home runs in 20 Arizona Fall League games. The Aussie infielder excels at using the whole field and his hard-hit data was impressive for a player his age in full-season ball. He is a subpar defender everywhere, which will make it a bit more challenging for him to break through as an everyday player, especially in Tampa Bay. However, if his bat is as good as it seems, he should eventually see regular work at first base and designated hitter.