As is tradition, here’s my final May Pop-up guy brought to you on Memorial Day. It’s a good one and the best news…nobody has heard of him.
Daniel Mengden (RHP, Hou, Low-A)
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 first year player draft, Daniel Mengden exceptional 2015 performance has really gone unnoticed. It could be that he’s dominating the Midwest League as a 22-year-old college pitcher, but the stuff is legit and the pitchability is advanced.
He throws a four and two-seam fastball that can hit the mid 90’s with an above-average slider and change-up. He has plus control that he gets naturally from his very simple and smooth pitching mechanics. The results have been excellent with a 1.16 ERA in 38.2 innings while striking out 36 and walking eight.
Have you seen Kopech Bos SP? Big kid, big arm, 19 showing a velo bump
He was in consideration for the article. I heard really good things when he was drafted and somebody shared with me that he was hitting a lot of 99’s this year. As you know, the 99 will turn in 95’s if and when he makes it to the majors.
He’s a long way off, but clearly there is a ton of talent.
What does the suspension do to your outlook? Makeup only or wait and see if velo bump was helped?
It was for a stimulant, if I recall. Probably more maturity and stupidity as opposed to make-up/effort issues. Hopefully learning experience and he’ll recover the lost time next year.
Thanks Rich.