Levi Michael - 2016

[Shane Wahl]

Levi Michael
DOB: 2-9-91, in Winston-Salem, NC
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180
Position: 2B
Bats: Both
Throws: Right

Shane's 2016 Prospect Rank: 35 (though initially forgotten)

 

2016 statistics (Chattanooga):

 

110 PA, .226/.321/.290 (.611), three triples, 10 walks, 25 strikeouts, one time caught stealing

 

I am not reading too much into this slow start for Michael, unless it means that he is hurt once again. The fact is that, when healthy, Michael has been very good for a middle infielder at the plate over the previous two seasons. The k/bb rate and the stolen base percentage are good over his career in the minors. He appears to be a solid defensive second baseman. If he repeats his 2015 performance, he is solid trade bait, or a replacement if the Twins trade from the depth chart above him.

[Shane Wahl]

.535 OPS and he isn't stealing any bases (two). He is striking out more and walking less than in the past.

I would think that he might be injured once again. Or else he is simply really another draft bust:

 

2009 (Bashore, Bullock, Tootle, McCallum, Streich)

2010 (Wimmers, N. Roberts)

2011 (Michael, Harrison, Boyd, Boer, Williams, Summers, Grimes)
2012 (Bard, Z. Jones)

2013 (Eades)

 

(17 of top 31 draft picks in those five years)

[Vanimal46]

That 2011 draft looks really, really bad. Harrison is still around but the others I've never heard of. Not a good sign since we're 5 years down the road and none of them appear that they'll even sniff a cup of coffee in the majors. 

[Shane Wahl]

.557 OPS and a constant injury worry at this point. The guys was so wildly much better last year. I would not give up on Michael, but I do not know what to make of this catastrophic fall this year. 

[Shane Wahl]

. 577 OPS in a lost season for Michael. Hoping for a bounce-back season next year for depth. 

[Shane Wahl]

 

Levi Michael
DOB: 2-9-91, in Winston-Salem, NC
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180
Position: 2B
Bats: Both
Throws: Right

Shane's 2016 Prospect Rank: 35 (though initially forgotten)

 

2016 statistics (Chattanooga):

 

110 PA, .226/.321/.290 (.611), three triples, 10 walks, 25 strikeouts, one time caught stealing

 

I am not reading too much into this slow start for Michael, unless it means that he is hurt once again. The fact is that, when healthy, Michael has been very good for a middle infielder at the plate over the previous two seasons. The k/bb rate and the stolen base percentage are good over his career in the minors. He appears to be a solid defensive second baseman. If he repeats his 2015 performance, he is solid trade bait, or a replacement if the Twins trade from the depth chart above him.

 

2016 Summary

 

358 plate appearances in AA, .215/.293/.291 (.584), four doubles, seven triples, two homers, 23 walks, 83 strikeouts, five steals, and two times caught stealing.

 

In 2015, he had an .804 OPS with 18 steals in 21 attempts.

 

2017 Outlook

 

I can imagine a scenario where Michael is healthy and able to produce in a way similar to those 2015 numbers. He will be 26 heading into spring training next year.