The Keepers - Revised #1-10

You may have noticed that we’ve ending the top 100 “Keepers” in the system and we’re back to updating our thoughts beginning with number one.

I think a short explanation is needed before going into the 2012 season.

So, let’s catch up with my advised top 10:

1.     RHSP Zack Wheeler – this was a toss-up with the other A+ Mets pitching prospect, Matt Harvey. I believe both of them will be successful SP1/2 pitchers in the Mets rotation and they will dominate the 2014-2018 period. I worry about his return to his old unconventional mechanics, but, at the same time, I feel he has mastered his secondary pitchers better than Harvey.

ETA: No rush. May even stay in the warm weather of St. Lucie for April, move to Binghamton in May, and end the season in Buffalo. Will open the 2013 season as part of the Mets rotation and work his way up to either the SP1 or SP2 slot.

2.     RHSP Matt Harvey – IMO, another can’t miss guy. Wheeler with less movement. He will start the 2012 season in AAA-Buffalo and It’s going to be very tempting to send him to Queens after the all-star break. It will all depend on his progress with his secondary pitchers and if he can work ina little more movement on his heater.

ETA:  Yeah, he’ll end the year in Flushing, but will probably start off 2013 as the SP3. May be around for a very long time (words I used a few years ago for Mike Pelfrey).

3.     RHSP Jeurys Familia – Familia made great strides last season in developing secondary pitches and mixing up his choices. 2012 will be the year he will continue this direction al designed to become part of the 2013 Mets rotation. If he fails, he will immediately become the future 8^th inning option for the Mets.

4.     RHSP Jenrry Mejia – Mejia wouldn’t be on this list if he didn’t go down with an arm injury last season. He was dominating AAA and well on his way to be part of the 2012 Mets rotation. We’re not going to get a good feel for his recovery and rehab until around June, but, as of now, I don’t see him being a rotational pitcher. I expect him to heal in 2012 at the AA level, and join the Mets pen in 2013.

5.     2B Reese Havens –  Like Mejia, Havens should be off this list already. His injuries are far less than Jenrry and it is reported he is 100%. He’ll open in AAA no matter what he does in spring training, but he could move fast if he remains injury free. A better bat than Daniel Murphy and that’s saying a lot.

6.     OF Brandon Nimmo –  Nimmo’s only this high because of the lack of “A” outfielders in the system. This is all based on ceiling and there is no way of analyzing a game that has only been played against American Legion players in a state where there is very little baseball training. Could be Bryce Harper-like. Then again…

7.     OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis – No one questions the Captain’s ability to spray. Everyne had hoped for a little more pop and many feel his range in centerfield is limited. Still, this is your odds end favorite to replace Jason Bay in left field. He’ll start 2012 slow and use the year to get his total game together.

8.     OF Gilbert Gomez – Gomez has moved this high after his surprising + performance for St. Lucie last season. He was all ceiling when he was called upon to fill in for an injured outfielder and he never was dropped from the lineup card for the rest of the season. Has the potential to be big time.

9.     2B Phillip Evans  - I just loved this pick last year. Evans is a quality fielder who will play SS in 2012 but is destined to move to 2B if Ruben Tejada continues his progress in Queens. He is also an excellent hitter and a steal the year before the draft rules changed.

10.         RHSP Juan Urbina – there’s so much good young pitching in the organization right now, but Urbina still projects out as the one with the most + pitches. He didn’t have a great 2011 season, but, in his defense, he was called upon to throw a lot of new pitches during those games. Look for a great 2012, probably with Savannah.