Cameron Maybin is best known for highlighting the package that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers back in 2007. Now, he’s just one of the dwarves at DisneyTrout.
Maybin was selected by the Tigers with the tenth overall pick in the 2005 draft. Here are some early scouting reports:
“All the tools are there for Maybin to be an all star who hits 20-25 home runs every year. The comparisons to Torii Hunter seem fair, and scouts highest on Maybin see him as a young Andre Dawson” – Baseball America (2007).
“Maybin is a prototypical five-tool player still learning how to turn his potential into performance. He has tremendous bat speed with plenty of power in his frame…A player with those tools has no ceiling. Maybin’s speed could make him a top-of-the-order type, but he may develop the kind of power that puts him squarely in the middle of the lineup for years to come.” – MLB (2007).
As we all know, it’s a fine line between love and hate. Or is it good and great? Same difference.
Maybin showed flashes of his potential at times, but was not able to do it on a consistent basis, whether it be due to straight suckitude or succumbing to injury. He has never played more than 147 games in any season and has had a wOBA under .300 in five of 10 big league seasons.
So why should we believe that at age 30 Maybin may be a contender?
The 15.8% walk rate is the highest it’s ever been in the majors. The 17.9% strikeout rate is consistent with where it’s been the past two seasons. The swinging strike rate of 7.6% is the lowest of his career. He’s chasing fewer pitches outside of the strike zone and swinging less in general. And with the plethora of injuries that the Angels have experienced, Maybin has been moved to the leadoff spot, where he’s been thriving:
“At the top, I can be more patiently aggressive, where opposed to hitting sixth and seventh, a lot of the times they want you to be a little more aggressive early in the count.” – MLB.com
The numbers bear it out as well. Batting first this season, Maybin has a .519 wOBA, 18.9% walk rate, and 13.2% strikeout rate. He’s spraying the ball to all fields (30% pull, 36% center, and 33% oppo) and smashing the ball in the process (41.7% hard contact rate). Granted, that’s in a small sample size of 11 games and 53 plate appearances.
The thing is….he had a very good year last season with the Tigers. 9% walk rate, 17% strikeout rate and .352 wOBA. The .315 batting average was buoyed by a .383 BABIP, though. With that said, he primarily batted first or second in the lineup and thrived. .355 wOBA from the leadoff spot and .333 wOBA from the two-hole.
So, here’s where I stand regarding Maybin:
I believe that he can produce. 10 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and a .260-ish average is feasible.
I also believe that he will probably get hurt at some point during the season. He is just coming back from knee soreness so….
With that said, he’s free off the waiver wire. If you need OF help, there probably isn’t a better option. I’ll take a guy that has pedigree, power/speed combo, bats leadoff (in front of Mike Trout no less), and won’t kill you in batting average.
VERDICT:
