Johan Mieses

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #15 prospect in 2017
  Mieses signed for $40,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 and has moved quickly through the farm system, though he's far from a polished product. With a strong, powerful frame, Mieses generates plus raw power and led the high Class A California League with 28 home runs in 2016, though his free-swinging approach remains a concern. Mieses has strong hands, quick bat speed and the power to hit the ball out to any part of the park when he connects, even driving the ball with authority when he mis-hits the ball. Mieses will have to overhaul his swing and approach to have success at higher levels. His swing has a lot of head movement, which hurts his ability to recognize pitches, with a frequent habit of chasing pitches outside the strike zone. He sells out for power on nearly every swing, getting underneath a lot of pitches with a max-effort, uphill stroke and pull-conscious approach. The barrel doesn't stay in the hitting zone very long, so he will have to flatten his swing and develop better strike-zone judgment to close his offensive holes. Mieses is a good athlete with average speed and a plus arm to collect 14 assists. He has spent most of his time in center field and might be able to stay there, though a lot of scouts prefer him in right field.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #12 prospect in 2016
  A $40,000 bargain signed in 2013, Mieses had a standout season in the Dominican Summer League in 2014. Instead of taking the usual path to the Rookie-level Arizona League, he jumped straight to low Class A Great Lakes two weeks into the 2015 season when the Loons needed an injury replacement. He played well, then moved up to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga in June, a fast-track pace for a teenager in his first U.S. season. Mieses has a chance to have five average or better tools. He has packed on size to his burly, powerful frame, which features big hands, long fingers and room for growth. He has a quick bat, good body control and a knack for getting his barrel to the ball, even if his swing doesn't always stay compact. While he's learning to optimize his approach, it's solid for his age and he's not a free-swinger. Controlling his head movement in his swing will help his pitch recognition. Mieses has slightly above-average raw power that will show up more if he can incorporate his lower half into his swing. He plays all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center. Though he's athletic, his average speed isn't ideal in center, so many scouts project him to right field, where he has the arm to play. He'll return to Rancho Cucamonga in 2016, where he will still be one of the California League's youngest players.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #13 prospect in 2016
  Mieses hit a league-leading 28 home runs in 2016, with many of them clearing 400 feet with ease. He showcases impressive raw speed for his muscular frame and owns one of the strongest outfield arms in the league. However, a big stride and swing-from-the-heels approach led Mieses to strike out 147 times in 122 games, with many wild swings well outside the strike zone. Playing his home games at Rancho Cucamonga, a neutral Cal League site, he hit.237/.292/.487, which is indicative of both his strengths and shortcomings. "If he learns not to swing at bad pitches, he can be a scary guy to face," Lancaster manager Ramon Vasquez said. "I think the more he plays the more he's going to learn the strike zone. He swings and misses a lot, but there is a future there." Defensively, Mieses is serviceable in center field but profiles better in a corner. His ability to play all three outfield spots, along with his power but lack of plate discipline, has most evaluators projecting him as a power bat off the bench.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  A $40,000 bargain signed in 2013, Mieses had a standout season in the Dominican Summer League in 2014. Instead of taking the usual path to the Rookie-level Arizona League, he jumped straight to low Class A Great Lakes two weeks into the 2015 season when the Loons needed an injury replacement. He played well, then moved up to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga in June, a fast-track pace for a teenager in his first U.S. season. Mieses has a chance to have five average or better tools. He has packed on size to his burly, powerful frame, which features big hands, long fingers and room for growth. He has a quick bat, good body control and a knack for getting his barrel to the ball, even if his swing doesn't always stay compact. While he's learning to optimize his approach, it's solid for his age and he's not a free-swinger. Controlling his head movement in his swing will help his pitch recognition. Mieses has slightly above-average raw power that will show up more if he can incorporate his lower half into his swing. He plays all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center. Though he's athletic, his average speed isn't ideal in center, so many scouts project him to right field, where he has the arm to play. He'll return to Rancho Cucamonga in 2016, where he will still be one of the California League's youngest players.