Desmond Lindsay

Position: OF
Level: AFL
Affiliate: Scottsdale Scorpions
League: Arizona Fall League
Born: 01/15/1997 (Age: 27)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 2nd Rd., 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (NYM)

Prospect Spotlight

Lindsay performed well his first few seasons as a pro after going to the Mets in 2015’s 2nd round from a Florida high school, but has hit a bumpier road in full-season ball. Last year, he slashed .218/.318/.320 in the Florida State League as a 21-year-old. A taxi squad player this fall for Scottsdale, Lindsay brings upside that was on display in my looks.

Lindsay has added loft to his swing, showing ability to muscle fastballs out of the park, including one he let travel and snuck inside the opposite foul pole during my viewing. That’s promising for the power output, but Lindsay’s approach and ability to make hard contact are still works in progress. He was unsuccessful against spin, beaten either out of the zone or swinging through it in-zone, and while there is bat speed, his inability to adjust the barrel clouds his long-term hit projection.  Lindsay’s glove will help him find a major league role, profiling as average in CF with solid reads and jumps while using his above-average wheels to track down balls in the gaps. With an average throwing arm, he’s plenty valuable in either outfield corner and is a versatile defender in the grass.

Lindsay’s bat speed, strength, and above-average athleticism project well for adjustments, and he’ll enter 2019 in his age-22 season with time to reach his ceiling as an everyday regular. His issues with strikeouts and strong contact on spin are concerns, adding risk he could wind up a quality 4th outfielder who helps with his power, speed, and defense in a bench role.