The New York Mets selected high school outfielder Desmond Lindsay with the 53rd overall pick in the Draft.
Lindsay, 18, played for the Out Of Door Academy in Bradenton, Florida and is committed to the University of North Carolina.
At 6’0 and 200 pounds, Lindsay is a right handed power prospect with some speed who projects as a first baseman and corner outfielder. He was the first player selected in the draft that was not among the MLB Top 200.
Mets’ scouting director Tommy Tanous calls Lindsay “A player we feel is basically an offensive machine.” He believes he can be a center fielder.
Tanous also says Lindsay missed a month because he pulled a hamstring then came back and hurt it again.
Baseball America:
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.
Paul DePodesta calls Lindsay a first round talent, which I predicted he would say. 🙂
“We felt like it was an opportunity for us in a year we don’t have a first round pick, to maybe reach up and try to get a first round talent.”
Congratulations Desmond and welcome to the New York Mets!
