Q and A - 'Wild Card' Mets Prospects

Charles asks:

          Hey Mack, I was wondering which Mets prospects have we heard very little about that you could possibly give us some info on?

I noticed on a recent post of yours you mentioned some if the DSL players and I only knew who Vincente Lupo was.  Perhaps you could fill us in on the top ten prospects we might not know about and which ones you feel have the best chance at being major leaguers.

Mack:

          Thanks Charles. I can always count on you for some good questions.

          I covered on Lamar’s question earlier today who I feel will make it to the Bigs and become a major factor in the game. I left off many names (den Dekker, Nieuwenhuis, etc.) who ‘may’ make it, but have not proven (at least to me) that they will be successful.

          You ask for the ‘wild cards’ and, most of them are at the lower levels. In no particular order:

          CF Brandon Nimmo – comes with all the accolades by the scouts, both before he was signed and, especially now, the ones that have followed him in Brooklyn. His pro numbers haven’t jumped off the page (2012 – Brooklyn - .243) but everyone continues to say that this 19-year old is going to be a great major league player. I assume the Mets will bypass sending him to Savannah where hitters simply die in the humidity that just prevent balls hit from finishing strong, but is a 20-year old that his .243 ready for A+? Still, potentially, one of the top ‘future’ players in the system.

          SS Gavin Cecchini – has taken a ton of shit after being drafted by the Mets. Scouts say he’s excellent both in the field and with a bat in his hand. This one is only 18-years old, so hitting .246 for Kingsport may be tons better than the production Nimmo put out in Brooklyn. Look, the Mets have drafted young these past two years and we’re going to have to wait out some of these picks until we really know what we have. I will tell you this… the Mets brass was absolutely thrilled with this pick. My guess is he goes to Savannah.

          RP Adam Kolarek – The Mets are so high on him they sent him to the AFL this off-season. Kolarek was a 11^th round pick in 2010 who’s 3-year pro stat line is: 12-5, 2.86, 1.23, 98-games, 161-IP, 181-K, 65-BB. Does have some control problems but aces St. Lucie last season (2.37,70-K, 57.0-IP). You will start hearing his name more next season when he begins the season in Binghamton.

          SP Christian Montgomery – Montgomery started last off-season as a sure fired first round pick. Then, he went down with arm problems that drove him down in the draft and prevented him from playing the entire 2013 season for the Mets. The Mets stole him in the 11^th round and the 20-year old will probably pitch Brooklyn in 2013. Remember this name. This was a big time high school prospect.

          P Cory Oswalt – another of those high school players most Mets fans know nothing about. Oswalt fell in the draft after sending signs that it would take big bucks to sign him. The Mets went over slot in the 7^th round and sent the 18-year old to Kingsport, where he had a miserable year (4-3, 8.15). Still, Oswalt continues to project out as a future major leaguer that just needs to grow and mature. The log jam in front of him probably will send him to Brooklyn.

          RP TJ Chism – has pitched in the Mets system for four seasons now and has a stat line of: 12-3, 2.07, 1.16. Had 25 saves for Savannah last season (1.14 WHIP) and will close for St. Lucie in 2013. Not overpowering… just gets people out.

          C Adrian Abreu – We’re going to see many more DSL players in Florida this spring because of the return of the GCL Mets. IMO, this is potentially the power catcher we’ve been looking for, for so many years. Stat line last year for the DSL2: .295/.417/.406/.826… get this: 224-AB, only 26-K, but 45-BB. When was the last time we saw a catcher that put up an .826 OPS with this kind of BB/9?

          C Manuel Hilario – and, what about the other catcher on the DSL2 team? Well, all he did in 224-AB was: .286/.378/.451/.829. These are big numbers for DSL catchers and I see both of these guys playing at the K-Port/GCL level next season.

          SP Yoan Gonzalez – the ace of the DSL2 team… 14-starts, 2-1, 2.57, 1.16, 65-K, 66.2-IP. He’s a 22-year old lefty who only has one pro season under his belt, but, because of his age, and the return of the GCL team, stands a good chance of pitching for the GCL team.

          OF Bradley Marguez – I left the best for last. He’s reported to be the most talented athlete in the system. He’s also a football player that just broke his leg. The Mets drafted him when they worked out a relationship that allowed him to play while he still was a WR in college. Did get 30-Abs for Kingsport last season (.267) and really is still just learning the game. He has now given up football and should be ready for the spring. A real long shot but a great shot in the dark.