As we close in on the 2019 season’s halfway point, let’s check in on the progress of the New York Mets of the future.
With the MLB Draft recently completed, the New York Mets were able to add some new talent to the fold. While most experts rank the Mets farm system in the middle of the pack, there are still plenty of reasons to get excited about the future.
These rankings are my own. In addition to their rankings, we’ll take a look at how our top prospects are faring at their current level.
Let’s jump right in.
#10: 3B Will Toffey
Originally drafted by the New York Yankees in 2014, Toffey did not sign and elected to attend Vanderbilt. He slashed .354/.475/.602 for the Commodores as a junior and was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. The Mets acquired him in last July’s Jeurys Familia trade.
A high-OBP guy, Toffey’s home run power is still developing. He has the instincts and arm to stick at third base long-term.
2019 statistics (Double-A Binghamton): 49 games, .245/.395/.361, 2 HR, 18 RBI
#9: RHP Matthew Allan
Baseball America’s top prep arm, the Mets selected Allan in the third round of this month’s draft. With an asking price rumored to be “around” $4 million, no team was willing to take the high school right-hander in the first round. New York is hopeful they will be able to sign him, but it will be tricky. Allan is committed to the University of Florida.
Allan’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and has been clocked as high as 97 MPH. Already 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he throws with a downward plane giving his ball some natural sink. Possessing an above average 12-6 curveball, the one hesitation some scouts have is his control. These command issues should clean up as he fine-tunes his mechanics.
2019: Attended Seminole High School in Sanford, FL
#8: LHP Thomas Szapucki
Taken in the fourth round of the 2015 draft, Szapucki has shown electric stuff from the left side across three different levels. Problem is, he has had a hard time staying healthy. His 2017 season got off to a late start because of a shoulder issue, and he missed all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery.
Szapucki’s fastball and breaking ball are his bread and butter. His changeup is still a work in progress, but has the potential to develop into a plus third pitch. Profiling similarly to Steven Matz, the hope is that he can slide into the rotation in the near future. At the very least, his first two pitches should play well out of the bullpen.
2019 statistics (High-A Columbia): 8 games (6 starts), 1.42 ERA, 1.342 WHIP, 2 K/BB
#7: 3B Brett Baty
With a sweet left-handed stroke that leads to power to all fields, the Mets selected Baty in the first round (12th overall) in this year’s draft. Baty consistently makes hard contact and rarely gets caught selling out for his power.
He is committed to the University of Texas, but is expected to sign with the Mets this weekend. As an added bonus, he is expected to sign for below slot value. This will give the Mets extra ammunition in their attempt to sign Allan.
2019: Attended Lake Travis High School in Austin, TX
#6: 3B Mark Vientos
Still just 19 years old, Vientos is already in his third professional season. This is admittedly high praise, but his approach at the plate reminds me of Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez. There’s a lot of swing and miss in his game, but he has the ability to work a count.
I do question his ability to stick at third base long-term, but his bat is the real draw here. When all is clicking, he exhibits exit velocities that are among the best in the system.
With a big league ETA of 2021, Vientos has all the makings of a future middle of the order bat.
2019 statistics (High-A Columbia): 55 games, .245/.291/.380, 5 HR, 24 RBI
#5: LHP David Peterson
Expected to reach the majors in 2020, we will likely be seeing Peterson a lot sooner than most guys on this list. The club’s first-round pick in 2017, he has quickly risen through the ranks.
At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Peterson has intriguing size. His sidearm angle helps him induce a lot of ground balls and weak contact. Although his fastball only sits in the 88-91 MPH range, his wipeout slider is as good as any pitch in the system.
Most scouts have him pegged as a No. 3 or 4 starter, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him fare even better.
2019 statistics (Double-A Binghamton): 11 starts, 2-2, 4.82 ERA, 1.567 WHIP, 2.68 K/BB
#4: SS Shervyen Newton
A switch-hitter, the Mets signed Newton out of the Netherlands in 2015. This ranking is more about potential than substance.
With all the talent on the left side of the infield on this list, Newton has the ability to play either position. He has soft hands, great instincts and a lot of room to still grow into his 6-foot-4 frame.
Offensively, he draws a lot of walks and does a good job of limiting his strikeouts. He is just beginning to tap into his power, which should lead to an increase in home runs and doubles as he matures.
2019 statistics (High-A Columbia): 41 games, .203/.274/.308, 2 HR, 9 RBI
#3: SS Ronny Mauricio
The Mets most hyped international signee since Amed Rosario.
Having just turned 18-years-old, Mauricio has shown an incredible combination of bat speed and power for his age. A natural left-handed hitter, his swing reminds me of a young Robinson Cano. He’s no slouch from the right side, either.
In terms of his glove, Mauricio can play anywhere on the infield. His hands are soft and he has a rifle of an arm.
He’s projected to be in Queens by 2022, but it could be even sooner.
2019 statistics (High-A Columbia): 54 games, .291/.332/.386, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 3 SB
#2: LHP Anthony Kay
Fresh off his promotion to Triple-A Syracuse, there is a clamoring to see Kay in the big leagues this year. While that may be unlikely, the hype is certainly justified.
In 12 starts at Binghamton, Kay showed he was clearly ready for the next challenge. With injuries having been his biggest hindrance so far, Mets fans have plenty of reason to be excited about this young lefty.
Graduating from the same high school as Steven Matz, the comparisons are natural.
2019 statistics (Double-A Binghamton): 12 starts, 7-3, 1.49 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 3.04 K/BB
#1: SS Andres Gimenez
The most well-rounded player in the Mets system. Gimenez has a sound approach at the plate that allows him to make consistent hard contact. At just 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, his power sneaks up on you. He likely won’t win any stolen base crowns, but he has the ability to swipe double-digit bags on an annual basis.
Defensively, he could easily stick at shortstop. However, the Mets made sure he got played of reps at second base in the Arizona Fall League last year. If all goes to plan, Rosario and Gimenez will be the double play combination for a long time to come.
