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Hitting

Mike Nielsen is tremendously talented with no flaws that will help him accelerate to the top. He’s a good athlete, already strong and well-developed for his age. He has three legitimate plus tools in raw power, Plus raw power, creates backspin; strong and long frame generates plus bat speed, ball jumps off bat; easy pull power, gap power to opposite field at present, but developing and improving; should develop home run power to all fields at peak; in-game home run production could be limited by hit tool and pitch selection. Much of his confidence and willingness to wait out a pitcher stems from his ability to hit with two strikes, has the ability to cover the entire plate when he works the entire field.

Base-Running & Defense

Surprisingly fast runner, athleticism shows through when running; showed aggressiveness on the bases that translated to ability to take extra base and put pressure on defenders. Defensively, Mike Nielsen has a solid reaction to batted balls off the bats, gets low and aggressive during pitches, reads contact well, impressive mobility, quick actions, outstanding hands with give on receipt and strength in manipulating the glove. Nielsen gets strong breaks back on pop ups over his head, quick release with strong arm and velocity, accurate, controls tailing action while moving away from target, comes across the bag clean on double play turns.