Which Current and Former MLB Players Describe Garrett Mitchell?

Garrett Mitchell hasn’t been in the majors long, but already, he’s proven to be an exciting player for Brewers fans to watch. He effectively replaced Lorenzo Cain late in the 2022 season, roughly two years after being selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

Who hasn’t enjoyed Mitchell’s home runs or defensive gems? In fact, in some ways, he seems familiar to Brewers fans. As a left-handed hitter with no shortage of pop so far, he seems very suited for American Family Field. He has also flashed elite speed over his career. Now, who does that sound like? Why, a one-time All-Star center fielder who was also involved in some transaction drama that helped create the run of success the Brewers have had since 2017.

Carlos Gómez

Gómez twice led the league in the Power-Speed Number, and from 2012 to 2015, he notched a Gold Glove and two All-Star Game appearances. He averaged 20 homers and 32 stolen bases in that timeframe, production that Mitchell could easily match, given the dimensions of American Family Field. They also share powerful arms: Mitchell racked up three assists in 17 games as a right fielder in the minors in 2022, while Gómez once led the NL in assists by a center fielder.

But while both Mitchell and Gómez bring potent bats to the mix, the comparison isn’t exact. The biggest area, of course, is OBP. Mitchell has demonstrated superior walk-drawing skills in the minors, and has not done badly in a small MLB sample. Then, there’s the fact that they hit from opposite sides of the plate. So, to completely describe Mitchell’s skills, we probably need to look to another player–one who was with the Crew for just a short time.

Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson spent less than one full season with the Brewers – that magical 2018 run to the NLCS – but in understanding Garrett Mitchell, he is perhaps the other part of the hybrid that Brewers fans should look at. Granderson played a lot of center field, and he could draw walks like nobody’s business – he had 12 in 54 plate appearances with the Brewers. Like Mitchell, he batted left-handed.

Granderson, though, brought far more power than Mitchell seems to, hitting as many as 43 home runs in a season. Mitchell’s power potential seems a bit lower than that, based on what we have seen so far. Given that Mitchell is playing in American Family Field, though, 30 homers a season doesn’t seem out of reach, but it may be more likely to see Mitchell approach double figures in doubles, triples, homers, and steals than to challenge the home run record set by Prince Fielder. Then again, Granderson famously had a season that was special in just that way, when he hit 38 doubles, 23 triples, and 23 home runs in 2007. He also stole 26 bases in 27 tries that year, and Mitchell could produce similarly in that dimension.

Other Players

One can’t help but look at Keon Broxton as another contender–albeit, perhaps, as a worst-case outcome for Mitchell. Broxton handled center field following the Gómez trade, providing defense, power, and speed. Christian Yelich’s years with the Miami Marlins (2013-2017) could also be an interesting comparison for Mitchell, especially given that both were center fielders who could slide over to a corner spot. Looking more to the past, the 1980s version of Fred Lynn could be interesting, if you ignore Lynn’s lack of larceny on the basepaths.

Overview

Garrett Mitchell could very well be in the heart of the Brewers lineup for five years or more. He may not stick in center field–but that will be due to the fact that the Brewers could place other superb talents like Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio in that spot. But Garrett Mitchell could force his way into the top 5 list at center field–or any outfield position--in Brewers history.