Ooo the Sox get an Aussie! Somewhere @DBAHO would be proud.

Wait I thought "something" was better than "nothing" and now people are complaining about it? 

10 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Former three time top 100 prospect who is still young - seems worthy of a gamble on a guy like Houser

Yeah, he obviously wasn't worth much so even a utility type guy was worth it.

Edited July 31, 2025Jul 31 by ptatc

BA Grade: 50/Medium

Track Record: The Rays acquired Mead from the Phillies in the November 2019 trade that sent Class A lefthander Cristopher Sanchez to Philadelphia. Sanchez blossomed into a solid starter for the Phillies in 2023, while Mead is ready to break into the Rays’ lineup in 2024, so the trade may prove to be a win for both teams. After missing time in 2022 with an elbow injury, Mead missed almost two months with a wrist injury in 2023 after being hit by a pitch. He dominated the Triple-A International League upon his return, made his MLB debut in August and started both playoff games for the Rays, driving in Tampa Bay’s lone postseason run.

Scouting Report: Mead is one the Rays’ best pure hitters. He has the rare combination of above-average plate discipline and exceptional bat-to-ball skills. Mead looks to pull or go up the middle to do damage, but with two strikes the Australia native shortens up and pokes the ball to right field. He has plus power potential, though so far it has led to more doubles than home runs because he hits balls to the power alleys. Mead feasts on fastballs. He’s not a very adept breaking ball hitter, but he recognizes them and doesn’t chase. Mead’s well below-average arm is an issue for him at either second base or third. He has solid short-area quickness and a solid first step. His hands are average as well, but if he has to leave his feet, go to his knees or move away from his target, he struggles to get anything on his throws. The shift restrictions help him at second by eliminating long throws from short right field.

The Future: Mead’s bat fits in Tampa Bay’s 2024 lineup, ideally as someone who bounces between second and third base, depending on where fewer balls are expected to be hit.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 30

9 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Can this guy play 3B at all?

He can.

9 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

The "former top prospect" angle strikes again. 

What were you expecting for Hauser?

I would have settled for a flavorful mead, but this will do.  He peaked at #2 on the Rays 2023 list, with this write up.

Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 40 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

Mead has become a poster child of why organizations should run if the Rays come asking after a Complex League performer. An Australian Baseball League standout at a young age, Mead signed with the Phillies for $200,000 in May 2018 and was dealt to the Rays for lefty reliever Cristopher Sánchez 18 months later. Mead’s breakout came in 2021 when he hit .321 with a .911 OPS across three full-season levels and produced an 18-game hitting streak in the Arizona Fall League. His 2022 performance at Double-A and Triple-A solidified his standing as a consistent hitter, and if not for a late-season right elbow strain, he would have pushed for St. Petersburg already.

The Australia native bats out of an upright stance, and its simplicity allows him to see the ball well and react to most pitches. He doesn’t strike out a ton by modern standards, but the Rays have been enthused by the way he’s become more selective in seeking out pitches on which to do damage, rather than making contact for the sake of making contact. That change in approach, along with the 22-year-old’s increasing strength, should help him settle into 20-25-homer power over the next decade.

Mead’s arm strength has been an issue throughout the Minors, and that was before last year’s elbow injury. He got the bulk of his starts at third base in 2022 but is likely a better fit at second or first because of the arm. As is their M.O., the Rays plan to keep moving Mead around as long as they can to keep any hope of versatility because they, and many in the industry, believe his bat will be an impactful presence in any lineup.

8 minutes ago, 2Deep said:

What were you expecting for Hauser?

Also why is this a bad thing? I think I prefer it to a bottom half prospect

My first reaction is that this is a fantastic return and I have no idea what the Rays are trying to accomplish

10 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Can this guy play 3B 

 This guy plays every infield position

9 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

The "former top prospect" angle strikes again. 

I’m sorry buddy, what’s your beef with the “former top prospect” angle?

11 minutes ago, Ozzie for Manager said:

I thought we would get Kash. This is better

FBI Director lol?

9 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

Wait I thought "something" was better than "nothing" and now people are complaining about it? 

Trades a win undoubtedly, I just found that angle coming up again funny.

10 minutes ago, Tnetennba said:

Cool. But he's been doo doo with the Rays.

It’s 356 career plate appearances

12 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Can this guy play 3B at all?

Yes. 2B 3B and 1B.

Seems fine. I’d have preferred some 18 year old but Hauser was just signed and will be a FA. I’m happy

Only thing I dont like about this is that we seem very adamant to move Vargas off 3B, where I think he has been fine and provides the most value at.

11 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

BA Grade: 50/Medium

Track Record: The Rays acquired Mead from the Phillies in the November 2019 trade that sent Class A lefthander Cristopher Sanchez to Philadelphia. Sanchez blossomed into a solid starter for the Phillies in 2023, while Mead is ready to break into the Rays’ lineup in 2024, so the trade may prove to be a win for both teams. After missing time in 2022 with an elbow injury, Mead missed almost two months with a wrist injury in 2023 after being hit by a pitch. He dominated the Triple-A International League upon his return, made his MLB debut in August and started both playoff games for the Rays, driving in Tampa Bay’s lone postseason run.

Scouting Report: Mead is one the Rays’ best pure hitters. He has the rare combination of above-average plate discipline and exceptional bat-to-ball skills. Mead looks to pull or go up the middle to do damage, but with two strikes the Australia native shortens up and pokes the ball to right field. He has plus power potential, though so far it has led to more doubles than home runs because he hits balls to the power alleys. Mead feasts on fastballs. He’s not a very adept breaking ball hitter, but he recognizes them and doesn’t chase. Mead’s well below-average arm is an issue for him at either second base or third. He has solid short-area quickness and a solid first step. His hands are average as well, but if he has to leave his feet, go to his knees or move away from his target, he struggles to get anything on his throws. The shift restrictions help him at second by eliminating long throws from short right field.

The Future: Mead’s bat fits in Tampa Bay’s 2024 lineup, ideally as someone who bounces between second and third base, depending on where fewer balls are expected to be hit.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 30

Some article was recently bumped by some writer who called this trade the worst trade ever made by the Phillies. Obviously it was brought forward because Sanchez is a Cy Young candidate, but hilarious to see this come full circle. 

I saw Mead a lot in Durham. I was always real high on him. Hope this one pans out. Can't hurt to try.

Get him in here and start trying to fix him. Get him at bats and let's see what he can do. 

His ZIPS projections are horrific. He's a warm body but I don't know if he's even on the 40 man this time next year.

For the love of god let him displace Rojas.

So we traded Houser for Great Value Andrew Vaughn... hell yeah

9 minutes ago, ptatc said:

 This guy plays every infield position

Well we already have...

Ramos

Meidroth

Colson

Jacob Gonzalez

Vargas 

Sosa

Baldwin

 

Why not MORE utility infielders that we can convert to the outfield since we don't have any actual OF prospects other than Braden???

Plus Teel and Quero have to fit into a lineup much more frequently to be valuable.

6 minutes ago, Baron said:

Get him in here and start trying to fix him. Get him at bats and let's see what he can do. 

It's not really a fixing thing as much as he's just getting going. He's been mediocre in the majors but great in AAA and was a top 70 prospect a year ago.