Fangraphs - New York Mets Top 10 Prospects

#1 Noah Syndergaard | 65/AA (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
20	23	23	117.2	107	11	10.17	2.14	3.06	2.89

The Year in Review: The key to the late 2012 trade that sent former Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey to Toronto, Syndergaard’s timetable was accelerated in 2013 and his split the season between High-A and Double-A. In total, he struck out 133 batters in 117.2 innings and walked just 28. His increased fly-ball rate in 2013 caught up to him at the Double-A level when his home run rate jumped significantly from 0.42 to 1.33 HR/9.

 

The Scouting Report: Syndergaard’s most talked about attribute is his mid-to-upper-90s fastball but he also has above-average control for a 21-year-old with less than four years of professional experience. The right-hander pairs his heater with an above-average changeup that flashes plus potential and his breaking ball has improved enough to place a future average grade on it. Standing 6’6”, the Texas native needs to do a better job of leveraging his height to his advantage and pounding the lower half of the strike zone.

The Year Ahead: Because he’s so young, and didn’t turn 21 until the end of August, Syndergaard could head back to the Double-A level where he made 11 starts last season. He should reach Triple-A before the end of June and could be pitching in the Majors by the end of August.

The Career Outlook: The lack of a consistent breaking ball is holding back Syndergaard from being projected as a future No. 1 starter. Nonetheless, in his prime he could be a dominating No. 2 starter capable of providing a plethora of innings.

 

#2 Travis d’Arnaud | 60/MLB (C)

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Age	PA	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	Off	Def	WAR
24	112	10.7 %	18.8 %	.202	.286	.263	.254	60	-4.8	0.1	-0.1

The Year in Review: Another piece of the loot that the Mets scored in the R.A. Dickey trade, d’Arnaud looked poised to take over the starting catcher’s gig at the big league level before the beginning of the summer but a broken foot put the end to that dream. He finally made The Show in mid-August but struggled in 31 games. He hit just .202 with four extra base hits and struck out 21 times.

 

The Scouting Report: Despite his struggles in 2013, d’Arnaud projects to develop into an above average hitting catcher and could provide 15-20 home runs in a full season’s worth of work. He showed some signs of curbing his aggressive nature at the plate but he’s gotten himself into trouble in the past by swinging at too many pitcher’s pitches. Perhaps the biggest concern with d’Arnaud is the litany of injuries that he’s already sustained in his seven-year career.

The Year Ahead: As it stands, d’Arnaud is being handed the undisputed role of starting catcher for the Mets and he’ll be backed up by either defensive whiz Juan Centeno or sophomore journeyman Anthony Recker. Either way, the Mets could have a very inexperienced tandem in 2014.

The Career Outlook: The young catcher has all-star potential but he’s got to stay healthy and behind the plate long enough to realize his full potential.

 

#3 Dominic Smith | 60/R (1B)

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Age	PA	H	2B	HR	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA
18	206	52	13	3	26	37	2	.301	.398	.439	.390

The Year in Review: Drafted 11th overall out of high school in 2013, Smith entered pro ball and was rarely fazed. He produced a .384 on-base percentage while displaying flashes of his power potential. He also impressed with his defensive work. After 48 games in the Gulf Coast League, he earned a late promotion to the advanced-rookie Appalachian League where he appeared in three games.

 

The Scouting Report: Smith was even more advanced at the plate than expected. He should hit for average and power while also getting on-base at a healthy clip. His power is generated by quick bat speed and he doesn’t have to pull the ball to hit it out of the park. Like many young hitters, he has work to do against same-handed pitchers. At first base, he could develop into on of the best fielder in the game at his position thanks to his athleticism around the bag and soft hands.

The Year Ahead: Smith is advanced and mature enough to handle a jump to full-season ball in his first full pro season. He could move fairly quickly for such a young player and could reach the Majors in late 2016.

The Career Outlook: Smith has a chance to be an impact player both as a middle-of-the-order hitter and as a defensive whiz at first base.

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