Cleveland Indians 2016 Top Prospects: #19 Mark Mathias

Another guy with a great feel for the strike zone, second baseman Mark Mathias comes in at Number 19 on our 2016 Cleveland Indians Top Prospect countdown.

Who is Mark Mathias?

Mathias was the Tribe’s third round pick in 2015, signing for $550,000 (about $67,000 under slot). He played his college ball at California Polytechnic State University where he excelled as an offensive-minded second baseman. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter stands 6’0” and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He made his professional debut with the Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers this past summer.

"Mark Mathias has found the power switch" #CalPolyProud @mathiass5 @calpoly_stangs @indians @…/buff.ly/1ikr3DG pic.twitter.com/SeQdRGRa3D
— Cal Poly Alumni (@CalPolyAlumni) September 4, 2015

Strengths and Weaknesses

Mathias is another Tribe prospect whose best skill is his hit tool. Baseball America called him the best pure hitter in the Indians 2015 draft class. He hit .356 in his three collegiate seasons with a .873 OPS (on-base plus slugging). He also hit .282 with a .797 OPS in his first stint at the professional level. His advanced feel at the dish is what really separates him. He’s got an amazing feel for the strike zone as seen in his limited numbers of strikeouts at the collegiate and professional level.

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In his college career, he struck out just 41 times in 122 games and 526 plate appearances (7.8% strikeout rate). He actually walked more than he struck out (48 walks, 9.1% walk rate). That strikeout rate did jump in his first stint as a professional but he still only struck out 36 times with Mahoning Valley (12.2%). He also only struck out one more time than he walks (35 walks).

He has a nice line-drive swing and can hit to all fields. He has yet to display much in the way of power. He hit just three home runs in college though he did show some nice pop with the Scrappers this past summer. He only hit two home runs but did have 19 doubles and three triples. His 19 doubles were tied for the third most in the New York-Penn League. No one really expects him to develop much power though he could settle into the 8-12 range.

Defensively he’s proven to be very solid yet unspectacular. He fits best at second base but also has experience at third base and first base. Like fellow 2015 draftee Tyler Krieger, Mathias dealt with a shoulder injury early last year, which limited him to DH duties with Cal Tech. He was able to recover quicker and fit back in at second base. His arm strength was solid pre-injury so if it comes back he could handle third base; however, his bat definitely fits best at second base due to lack of ideal power.

Where Does He Go From Here?

After making his Tribe debut with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Mathias figures to move up one step on the organizational ladder, opening as the Class-A Lake County Captains’ starting second baseman. Like Krieger and Willi Castro, he could possibly see some time at another position to fit everyone in (maybe some third base) though the focus will definitely be on second base with him. He has a real chance as an advanced college hitter to move up to Advanced-A Lynchburg before the year is out, especially if Claudio Bautista ends up at Akron.

Next: Indians Top Prospects: #20 Shawn Armstrong

Mathias is a guy that many will rank higher than I have him (Baseball America has him 13^th, for example). There’s definitely a lot to like as a solid defensive second baseman with the ability to hit for average and draw some walks. His ability to put the ball in play has helped him a ton and if he proves capable of maintaining the high walk rate with it watch out. I have a feeling I’ll be moving Mathias up in the coming years but at 21 he’s not the youngest prospect on this list and the ceiling isn’t quite as high as some others. That said, like with Krieger I could easily see him as a top 15 prospect by this summer, especially if he reaches Lynchburg…

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