by 1) Matt Harvey, RHP, Grade B+: He can be a number two starter and someone to build around. Some evaluators see him more as a closer if his changeup remains erratic, but I'm cutting him some slack on that issue and am optimistic.
2) Zack Wheeler, RHP, Grade B+: This is actually more like Harvey -A and Wheeler 1-B. They are very close but Harvey is closer to being ready. Like Harvey, I see Wheeler as a future number two starter and staff anchor. He made big strides with his control last year. Like Harvey his changeup needs more work, but I'm optimistic about him given the improvements he's already made.
3) Jeurys Familia, RHP, Grade B: Control still needs work, but took a major step forward towards harnessing his stuff. Could be a number three starter, perhaps more with additional changeup refinement. Could also end up as a fine closer.
the rest of the list...
Saw the list, pretty much think he was right there, with the exception of Lagarus at 20. Maybe could have put Aderlin Rodrigues on there. Its amazing how much these lists change from year to year. Pre-2011 season, Flores was listed number 1 by sickles, now he's ninth. Gee was 21st, now he's the Mets number 5 starter. I really feel, this upcoming season for the Mets' farm system might have the chance to sky rocket their overall rating tremendously. I count at least ten players who can prove deserving of a "B" rating or higher by turning out great seasons and I'm not even counting who Sickles had in the top five. That's exiting.
ReplyDeleteGee, I wonder where he learned about Akeel Morris and Domingo Tapia?
ReplyDeleteExiting..figure how? Who will be leaving? Thee Charles is on the magiical mushroom think i...
ReplyDelete- I had a debate on the preliminary list to keep Cuan on the "Others" list...didn't do any good apparently.
ReplyDelete- Mack: Hahaha I'm sure he is very familiar with "The Keepers"
- This is just about as good a prospect list as you're going to find.
- I like that Sickles is higher on the Mets system than most.
- I think it is a huge oversight to have Urbina that low. I don't care what the numbers are for a teenage lefty throwing in the low 90s with an uncanny feel for a changeup at that age--he's the definition of a young, raw prospect.
- Mazzoni over Fulmer is interesting. Thoughts?
Sad that even with our hyped pitchers and "better than it has been in years" farm system that we still couldn't break B+
ReplyDeleteI meant exciting...sorry anonymous. The mushrooms fuck up my spelling
ReplyDeleteSteve- Sickles had said he thought mazzoni should've gotten more hype on draft day. He must really like him. Doesn't hurt to have that debate. Also, college pitcher, closer to the.majors, good heater, decent secondary stuff. Probably just thought less could go wrong at this point. Fulmer has a longer road to travel right now then Mazzoni does, but does have a higher ceiling.
ReplyDeleteGod, I hate bad spelling...
ReplyDeletehere's the deal...
it really doesn't matter who ranked who where or who was left off a list.
the good news is this team hasn't had 5+ A/B rated prospects since the Wright/Reyes days...
True, rankings are completely arbitrary and usually have weak correlation to the future success of players (just ask Lucas Duda...or Alex Escobar, conversely) but it's still fun to read/write these lists to spark conversation.
ReplyDeleteCharles--valid points in re: Mazzoni.
If the Mets take Sickles' advice and largely leave the top pitching arms to develop the entire year at AA/AAA and the Tapia/Morris/Urbina/Nimmo/Puello/Fulmer (and on and on) progress like we hope, (or hell if even half of them progress like we hope) this list will be even more impressive next year. Oh, we also have 4 picks in the first two rounds of the draft..in case you missed that.
System is heading in the right direction and that is a welcome sign. Pray for health all around.