Round 39, Pick 1168: Michael Mahtook | CF, St. Thomas Moore HS | NOT SIGNING

[!NICK!]

Discuss

[Hugg]

Baseball America

Mikie Mahtook was more renowned as a quarterback with electric speed before this spring, but his exploits as an outfielder may earn him a six-figure bonus. Mahtook, who received football interest from mid-major programs, made the decision to focus solely on baseball, easing questions about his signability. Many clubs didn't get a long look at him until he faced perennial state power Barbe High, and he didn't play well, cooling interest. But a handful of teams view him as an outstanding athlete who's more advanced than most two-sport stars. They see a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder with plus-plus speed to go with above-average power and arm strength, and they don't think he'll take long to adjust to pro pitching. The Blue Jays, Marlins, Mets and Tigers all scheduled workouts with Mahtook shortly before the draft.

[Marlins#1]

Prep baseball prospects eager for today | theadvertiser.com | The Advertiser

"Both have college options to fall back on. Mahtook has plans on playing for the LSU Tigers next season, and Yockey has already signed with Chipola Junior College in Florida.

Mahtook said he's leaning heavily toward playing college ball, but would certainly listen to a substantial Major League offer.

It's easy to understand why a big league club would be intrigued with Mahtook after he exploded upon the Class 5A scene this past season. The centerfielder hit .450 with 12 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs and 13 stolen bases at 6-2, 205 pounds with 4.4 speed.

"I've been talking to them (scouts) about every other day,'' Mahtook said. "You hear a lot of different things. You just have to wait and see what happens.''

Baseball America executive director Jim Callis certainly likes the outfielder's upside, despite not being high on the scouting radar until late in his career.

"From a tools standpoint, not too many players with as much upside in the country,'' Callis writes. "I'm not saying he's a first-round pick. I know there are some teams that really, really like him.

"I think you're looking at a guy who had plus, plus speed, plus arm, at least plus power and could be a plus bat. That's a pretty good package.''


St. Thomas More's Mikie Mahtook and Yockey are among the local Louisiana Legends team.

STM's Mahtook waits for news on future If STM All-Star outfielder Mikie Mahtook had to make his best guess, he'd be wearing an LSU Tigers' baseball uniform next spring. But as Mahtook prepares for this weekend's All-Star Games, he also knows that something else could be on the horizon. Mahtook has recently attended workouts for the Mets, Blue Jays and Marlins and has another one in the works for the Tigers. Mahtook said it's the financial offer, not the round, that will determine whether he's in the minor leagues or in Baton Rouge next fall. "I really have no idea what's going to happen in the draft,'' said Mahtook, who hit .450 with 12 doubles, 12 homers and 36 RBIs. "I wish I did. It's been my dream for a long time to play for LSU. I want to have that experience, but you have to look at all the options. If you get a good offer, you have to look at it.''

Cross fingers we sign him.

IMO it will take around 400 - 600K atleast

[Ralph]

Man if they get both Mahtook and Galloway signed this will be an awsomeness draft.

[markotsay7]

Not signing.

Mikie Mahtook kept them waiting, but the former St. Thomas More standout officially announced today that he would be heading to LSU to play baseball. Surrounded by friends and family Monday afternoon, Mahtook inked his name on a baseball scholarship that will make him a Tiger next season. "It was complicated," Mahtook said. "I was waiting to see if football would offer, but by the time I realized that wasn't coming, there were some rule changes and coach (Paul) Mainieri told me he didn't have any more money for me." So, Mahtook sat in limbo for the past three months, hoping that something would change and as the Major League draft came and went, it did. "Coach Maneri said that a couple of pitchers got drafted high so they'd probably be leaving early," Mahtook said. "That opened up a spot for me." Mahtook was taken in the 39th round, but decided to pursue a collegiate career instead. Many other schools were interested in acquiring Mahtook for both football and baseball, including UL. UConn and Louisiana Tech also offered for both sports, while Arkansas got in the mix for football. But Mahtook had LSU in his blood. Mahtook's father and uncle played football for LSU and his mother graduated from LSU. "It's always been a dream of mine to play for LSU," Mahtook said. "Growing up, LSU was where I wanted to play and when I got that opportunity I had to take it." Mahtook said he plans to enroll for the fall semester, but has enjoyed the Tigers run through the post season. "It's pretty cool," Mahtook said. "I don't think they expected to have this good of a season when it started. I don't think they thought they'd be in Omaha." Mahtook has met some of the players on the team already and said he's looking forward to playing with them. "I'm joining a good young team," Mahtook said. "It looks like they've got their tradition back."

Mahtook decides on LSU baseball | theadvertiser.com | The Advertiser