The New York Mets farm system is still deep despite multiple trades and graduations.
By Justin Weiss
Still the mystifying world of developing prospects, scouting prospects, and ranking prospects is of great intrigue to many.
Visit: Elite’s New York Mets Center
So let’s do the latter in accordance to what Major League Baseball deems to be the qualifications of a prospect (or the qualifications of a rookie, which disqualifies a player from possessing prospect status):
A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).
The aforementioned is of great significance because Steven Matz is the team’s highest-ranked prospect despite appearing in a handful of games this season.
Honorable Mentions
6. Wuilmer Becerra, OF, 21
Becerra’s 2015 campaign was comparable to the best in the Mets’ farm system. While he’s a long way away, the “toolsy” right fielder is growing into his power and has displayed above-average defense. Becerra could be a breakout candidate in 2016.
7. Luis Carpio, SS, 18
What’s crazy is that although Carpio is a couple of years away (at least), he’s the same age as many high school seniors. He had a very impressive season at the plate for Kingston (.304/.372) and employs an open stance with a very sound swing.
8. Desmond Lindsay, OF, 19
Former front office executive Paul DePodesta had this to say about Lindsay:
“We feel like this is a real opportunity for us with Desmond. We think that without the hamstring injury this spring, we don’t think there would be any way that he would have lasted until the 53rd pick in this draft. There’s just too much talent there and the combination of power and speed that’s just very difficult to find. We felt like it was an opportunity for us – in a year where we didn’t have a first round pick – to maybe reach up and try to get a first round talent and that’s what we did.”
9. Ali Sanchez, C, 18
The Venezuelan boasts a great glove (barely any passed balls/errors) and fantastic arm (threw out nearly 50% of runners). His bat will (hopefully) eventually come to form, but for now it’s his defense that sets him apart.
10. Chris Flexen, RHP, 21
A Tommy John recovery guy, Flexen may be the ultimate sleeper pick in the organization. His 1.87 ERA and 33/7 K/BB rate is encouraging, while he appears to have fully recovered from the surgery.
5. Amed Rosario, SS, 20
From a raw talent perspective, Rosario looks like a mini Jose Reyes or Carlos Gomez. He has a package of tools that would make most scouts drool.
While his bat speed sets him apart from everybody else, he’s also got a great glove, is extremely physical, is a slight base-stealing threat, and projects to have raw power. While his bat isn’t very good yet, at just 20 years old he’s still got plenty of time to bolster an underwhelming stat line.
4. Brandon Nimmo, OF, 22
Remaining optimistic will be a necessity for those fans experiencing prospect fatigue.
Nimmo, 22, has been in the team’s farm system since 2011 and has seemingly lost some speed, pitting him as an average center fielder. Fans have watched him go from perennial All Star, to impact player, to role player, to utility man, and then finally a bench player.
Still, there is reason to remain optimistic.
When the Mets drafted him out of Wyoming he was a raw kid with little going for him baseball-wise besides for sheer athleticism and determination. He now boasts an advanced approach at the plate, even if his numbers suggest otherwise. He has a tendency to get ahead in counts, and can develop into a solid player if his power returns to form.
3. Gavin Cecchini, SS, 22
The Mets appeared to strike out on this pick. That is until he had an absurd 2015 campaign at the plate which reignited hope.
Batting .317/.377/.442 in 485 plate appearances, Cecchini whiffed less, made more contact, and started to develop a little bit of power. While some added weight may have contributed to a laughable 25 errors, most of them at throwing, his range seems to have improved while he subtly ended talks of a transition to second base.
In the month of July Cecchini was named Player of the Month in the Eastern League while leading all players in batting average and all shortstops in on-base percentage. He’s projected to develop into a gap-to-gap hitter with 10-15 HR potential.
2. Dominic Smith, 1B, 20
Smith, who had the best season of his brief minor league career in 2015, is drawing James Loney comparisons and praise from individuals such as Keith Law. Law stated that Smith is “one of the top pure hitting prospects in the minors.”
While Smith hasn’t yet found a power stroke, he has plenty of long-ball potential and has an advanced approach at the plate. The biggest misconception surrounding Smith is that he is lazy with a poor work ethic, but that is largely mistaken for his laid-back attitude.
Smith led the Florida State League in doubles and was named MVP as well. He is regarded as an above-average fielder and has been lauded in the past for possessing impressive wrist and hand strength.
1. Steven Matz, LHP, 24
Matz, a local kid from Long Island, New York, overcame some serious injuries and setbacks to become one of the league’s most promising pitchers in 2015.
While he will likely be remembered for his brilliant debut at the plate it should be noted that he also logged 36 quality innings in the majors and posted a 2.27 ERA with 34/10 K/BB.
With a World Series appearance under his belt before the age of 25, Matz’s future looks quite promising. His stuff is sparkling as he owns a 93-95 MPH fastball, a plus changeup and an improving curveball. His control is a work in progress as evidenced by a 3.1 BB/9 IP rate in the minors, but he did improve in that regard as he settled in at Citi Field.
He has a compact delivery, a great pick off move, and has displayed a lot of poise over his brief Major League career. Durability is still an area of concern (as he has an extensive injury history) but barring some extended trips to the disabled list next season, he should cement the Mets’ rotation as one of the greatest young rotations in MLB history.