Michael Sheridan6'2'' 215 lbs DOB: 08/08/1988
First Base
Bats: Left | Throws: Left
2008: Hudson Valley
Acquired: 2008 Draft, Round 5, 143rd overall
Michael Sheridan ranked has one of the hardest players to strike out during his career at William & Mary, striking out a remarkable 27 times over three years, including 5 times his entire junior season. Despite battling some injuries in his pro debut with Hudson Valley, he showed a lot of the same skills with the Renegades that he did when he tore up the Colonial Athletic Association.
Sheridan's knack for making contact time after time easily ranks as his best tool. After hitting .423 his junior year, he went 25-78(.321) with the 'Gades. The two biggest drawbacks about Sheridan are his on-base and power skills. Despite showing good control of the strike zone, he doesn't draw many walks(18 his junior year of college, 4 in his pro debut). This isn't necessarily a bad thing: As long as he can recognize pitches and is willing to wait for one he can drive, then he should still be able to find success as he moves through the organization.
The bigger problem, being as he is a 1st baseman, is his lack of power. He did hit 15 his last year of college, but doesn't project to hit for much power with wood bats, and went homerless in his debut with Hudson Valley. He has solid gap power, but the key to him breaking out and making the jump from average prospect is home-run power. He has a very nice swing, but it's clearly conducive to a contact-heavy approach. His swing may have to be re-tooled to unlock some power, but then the trick is to not lose too much of his contact skills.
Sheridan isn't horrible with the glove, but he doesn't have the tools to player anywhere else on the diamond. Still, average defense will suffice if he can break out with the bat. He's ticketed for low-A Bowling Green to start 2009, but could hit his way to Port Charlotte during the year.
If he has no power why not try move him to 2nd base?
ReplyDeleteHe's not fast enough, no tools as a middle infielder. I think "Kevin Gengler" was pretty clear with that in the last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteHe MIGHT be an option as an outfielder, but his best bet in the future is as a potential role player with an NL team down the road. Trade bait, perhaps?
I will say this, though - he's got room to put on a bit of bulk, especially as a one-bagger. He's also one of the nicest kids you could ever meet on a baseball diamond - tough to not have him on your squad.
In further response to the question about his playing second base: he is left-handed.
ReplyDeleteI deleted the anonymous comment someone made regarding catnip as it was off topic. Sorry if anyone was offended. This was actually the first time I've ever had to delete a comment on the site, so I guess we've been lucky. Play nice.
ReplyDeleteI went to watch Mike Sheridan play last night. He seems to have stepped up a little bit with his defense. Although he does let some throws sail by him. He is an extremely good batter his BA is a good refrence, and his RBI last I checked was about 50-55.
ReplyDeleteSeems strange as I read these things about Sheridan. We were so impressed with him in the Hudson Valley last year. (both hitting and fielding). Has he not progressed?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to address the two previous comments, if I could. I have attended, watched or listened to nearly every game Mike has played the last two years. In my opinion, Mike is more than a solid infielder. This year in BG, the other infield positions (2B, SS and 3B) have committed 110 errors. These players are raw and, in my opinion, undisciplined in their fielding approach and execution. Tim Beckham, for instance, has trouble throwing the ball accurately to first base. That isn't my opinion but a fact borne out by the statistics. I couldn't count the number of times Mike's play at first has resulted in an out instead of another error. Also, Mike has excellent range, and a knack for knowing where to be in every situation. One quintessential example would have to be in Lakewood, in July. Here's the situation: nobody out, man on first, Mike holding the runner. The batter squares late to bunt and pops it into the air to the right of the mound. Mike breaks on the ball, dives and catches the ball in the air lying, ending up on his stomach. Knowing the situation, Mike rolls over onto his back and throws to 1st base to double off the runner that had broken for second. Not many guys make that play. Listening to the games earlier in the season, Tom Gauthier, the Hot Rods' radio voice, would marvel at a play Mike had made in the field. Now, after seeing him for the whole season, even he doesn't get too excited by Mike's play - the spectacular has become the expected. Clearly, Mike has some things to work on with regard to his hitting, although he has improved his power stats. But to say he is in any way lacking in the field is, again in my opinion, just not accurate.
ReplyDelete