Curtis Mead: Fills a Need?

[Count Walewski]

Every time Curtis Mead comes up to bat I think of this thread title and how perfect it is. How the bland statement "fills a need" conveys the underwhelming nature of the acquisition and how the question mark conveys both skepticism and boundless hope and how the fact that it all rhymes just ties it together. freaking perfect.

I become angry with jealousy that I did not come up with "Curtis Mead: Fills a Need?"

[tomterp]

Every time Curtis Mead comes up to bat I think of this thread title and how perfect it is. How the bland statement "fills a need" conveys the underwhelming nature of the acquisition and how the question mark conveys both skepticism and boundless hope and how the fact that it all rhymes just ties it together. freaking perfect.

I become angry with jealousy that I did not come up with "Curtis Mead: Fills a Need?"

Oh, stop beating yourself up Count.  You come up with plenty of stuff, I'm sure imref appreciates you hanging back to let him be first to the thought.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Was a break out from "Transactions 2026" with a new title added. I forget how long it was before we figured out he needed the break out, but probably around the date of the change of headings at the top of the thread.

[tomterp]

Zuckerman pointed out - in 64 PA's with RISP,  .308/.438/.635/1.073

[imref]

Bloom is off the rose: June (67 ABs): .179 / .257 / .373. Only saving grace are the 4 HRs.  17Ks, 5BBs

Unfortunately House isn't doing much at Rochester. .231 / .281 / .462 in his last 15 games with 3 HRs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bloom is off the rose: June (67 ABs): .179 / .257 / .373. Only saving grace are the 4 HRs.  17Ks, 5BBs

Unfortunately House isn't doing much at Rochester. .231 / .281 / .462 in his last 15 games with 3 HRs.

facing more righties than previously and it's hurting the average. Still  hitting lefties well. I  think Vivas may start to play more against RHP.

[imref]

Just keep hitting dingers…

[imref]

Just keep hitting dingers…

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.thebanner.com/sports/nationals-mlb/nationals-curtis-mead-career-surge-7WECXE7CIJEB7JCWX73VYTQQT4/

Kyle Williams.

Mentions his improvements started with the White Sox, who worked with him on being more up-right when he hits and lowering his hands. That allowed him to be more direct  to the ball and take advantage of the natural loft in his swing.

Until this season, Mead hadn’t displayed much power at any level. He had never hit more than 13 homers. The power surge results from a confluence of factors.
...
He’s pulling the ball in the air 22% of the time — the major league average is 16.8% — which usually portends more extra-base hits.
...
Mead’s hard-hit rate has increased from 34.8% last season to 41.7%, which puts him in the 53rd percentile among hitters. Pairing his bat-to-ball skills with preternatural bat speed is why Mead has delivered so many extra-base hits.

[imref]

He and Griffin are the two biggest success stories this year (well, Louie too).

[welch]

He and Griffin are the two biggest success stories this year (well, Louie too).

(And Keibert)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Interesting observation by a commenter on Mead's reduced bat speed this year and why it may have helped his power.

From Brendan Gawloski's FG chat:

.

2:33    
pdunes: Not a prospect but how can someone like Curtis Mead hit for a lot more power by slowing down his swing speed by 2 mph? Over swinging before?

2:33    
Brendan Gawlowski: That would be one way.

2:34    
Brendan Gawlowski: Think about the difference between statcast bat speed and the way scouts have traditionally used the term. To use a ridiculous example, you could probably increase the statcast bat speed by Happy Gilmore’ing it, but it wouldn’t really help you hit.

2:34    
Brendan Gawlowski: And to be clear, this is no knock on measurable bat speed, which is important and a valuable thing to know

2:35    
Brendan Gawlowski: It’s important, it’s just not everything

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brendan-gawlowski-prospects-chat-7-21-26/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And that's it.

Traded for Connelly Early. He worked his way up from a platoon 1B to the primary 3B for the Nats as he seemed like a super pick up after a few years of fail INTB and CWS.

Mead's final numbers with the Nats:

87 games, 327 PAs, .254 / .352 / .500, 17 HR, 134 wRC+, with some bad defense at multiple positions.

The player the Nats traded to get Mead, catcher Boson Smith, has had a good year offensively in the minors and has reached AA.

Early is currently hurt and rehabbing. Expected to be back in August, per Camerato. Up to his injury, Early had been exceeding the view that he was a #4 starter with a #3 ceiling and looking like a potential #2.

[Natsinpwc]

Are we sure that Mead is marginally better? At least Tena has shown some aptitude at the plate

Sorry but I had to bounce this comment up. The times they are a changing.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Gonna lock this now and wish Mead the best. Filled a need and brought back somebody who we hope can be healthy enough to continue what he's shown in the majors for many years in the rotation.  If Mead now is a quality regular down the stretch and for years in a major market, then it will make teams more willing to deal with Toboni.