The New York Mets took another risk with a high upside pick in outfielder Isaiah Greene. The left-handed hitter out of Corona High School in California was taken with the 69th overall pick of the draft. Greene’s pick was a Compensation Round B pick in exchange for Zack Wheeler signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Sweet lefty swing from #Mets third-rounder Isaiah Greene.
? @SteveDoherty643 pic.twitter.com/9SsXhU6WjF
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) June 11, 2020
Greene is a potential five-tool prospect but still has work to do with his bat. He is committed to the University of Missouri and given the talent, he already possesses he may turn down the Mets offer and play in college to move up in future drafts.
Natural Athlete
Speed is the first thing that stands out about Greene. He was at the top one percent of the 2020 draft class in the 60-yard dash and is built well with a 6’1, 180-pound frame. If he is going to be a five-tool player, it will likely happen in left field. Greene’s stellar speed may not be enough to overcome his below-average routes to the ball and arm strength. His development in either college or the minors is going to settle his primary position.
On the bases, his advancement shows. Greene is a good baserunner and base stealer, going his entire high school career without being caught. The most potential comes from Greene’s bat, he has a naturally fluid swing and hits the ball well to all fields. After playing okay during his freshman year, he .389 the following year then dropped to .321 but his the only four home runs of his high school career during 2019.
Greene only hit .067 during five games in 2020 but had five walks and only struck out five times during that span.
https://twitter.com/genymets/status/1271212507399626753
What makes his bat intriguing is the two separate directions it can go. Greene has a slight leg kick and his swing is flat through the zone, producing mostly low line drives. Should the Mets stay with that approach they could create a doubles/triples type of hitter, who could potentially leadoff in the future.
Two Hitting Approaches
The other direction would move towards the approach of most hitters in today’s game. Greene would add more height to his leg kick and lift to his swing to put balls over outfielders’ heads, not between them. Already with a good frame, he should be able to add strength to legitimize his power. Right now he projects around 10-15 homers but has 20-25 home run potential.
My prediction is he likely goes to college to round out his game in a solid baseball program at Mizzou. Either way, the Mets did a solid job with this draft pick.