Coming off a Subway Series split, the New York Mets enjoy a day off on Independence Day. We’ll use this time off to update you on some of the club’s top prospects.
Before we dive into the New York Mets farm system, here is a quick update on the hero in Tuesday’s victory, J.D. Davis.
Davis was held out of Wednesday’s loss due to an illness, per Tim Healey of Newsday.
The club is optimistic the 26-year-old will be full-go for Friday’s series-opener vs. Philadelphia.
Receiving consistent playing time at the big league level for the first time in his career, Davis is making the most of it. Through 73 games, he is slashing .283/.376/.475 with nine home runs and 25 RBI.
Down on the farm
Anthony Kay struggling at Triple-A Syracuse
After posting a 1.49 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A Binghamton, Kay was promoted to Syracuse early in June.
He hasn’t been able to find the same success yet. In four International League starts, the 2016 first round pick is 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA.
Despite these recent struggles, Kay will represent the Mets in the All-Star Futures Game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Former Mets outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic, moved in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz deal, will represent the Seattle Mariners in the game.
Ali Sanchez thriving at Binghamton
Kay’s former battery mate, Ali Sanchez, is putting together a nice season with the Rumble Ponies.
Appearing in 55 games, the 22-year-old has posted a .289/.345/.355 slash line.
He has never been a power-hitter, evidenced by his one home run this year. However, he had an 18-game hit streak from June 1-27. Sanchez has also shown the ability to talk a walk, he has drawn 17 free passes compared to just 45 strikeouts.
Now in his sixth professional season, Sanchez is cementing himself as one of the Mets top-25 prospects.
Thomas Szapucki moves to High-A Port St. Lucie
Currently the Mets No. 8 prospect according to MLB.com, injuries have held Szapucki back the last two seasons.
A shoulder issue delayed his start to the 2017 season, and Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2018.
Finally healthy, the organization has been very cautious with his innings in 2019. He appeared in 11 games (eight starts) for Low-A Columbia, but threw a total of just 21.2 innings.
He is slowly moving up the ladder, though. The left-hander made his debut for Port St. Lucie on Wednesday. He threw just a third of an inning, but it is a small step in the right direction.
Staying healthy for a consistent length of time will allow Szapucki to gradually build up his innings and pitch count. Following a couple of more outing with Port St. Lucie, he should join Binghamton soon.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this story stated that Davis was available to pinch hit in Wednesday’s game. Manager Mickey Callaway stated that Davis had left the ballpark and was not available.