MM's Top 25: #25 OF Champ Stuart

#25 CF Champ Stuart (LR: N/A)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 175 lb
Age: 21
Acquired: 2013 Rule 4 Draft, 6th round, Brevard College (NC)

2014: (A) .278/.388/.343, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 17 SB (85%), 30 BB, 57 K
2013: (R) .240/.388/.353, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 11 SB (85%), 34 BB, 58 K

     Speed Kills! For the Mets, ever since Jose Reyes left, they have been without an everyday speed/lead-off presence in their line-up. If Stuart pans out, he will instantly become the most exciting player they've had since those wonderful Reyes years.

     When Stuart was drafted out a small Division II school, it was a pure athleticism play on Alderson's part. With blazing speed that can get from home to 1st in 3.2 seconds, a strong football type build, and a cannon arm, Stuart has the potential to develop into a game changing talent. He doesn't possess much power as 2014 is trending to be his 2nd straight season with an OBP that's higher than his SLG. However it's that same strong OBP that keeps him on base enough despite what most scouts say is a fringy bat at best.

     Stuart will need to sustain his 14.7% BB rate at the higher minor league levels if he wants to make the bigs. Especially if he cannot improve on his extremely high 28.1% K rate. Defensively, Stuart still needs more reps in the OF to improve upon the routes he takes in CF. Overall though, he looks like he can become a plus defender thanks to his arm. Speed can only take you so far in this game though so the bat will have to improve if he wants a chance.

Ceiling: Speed/Defensive minded 4th OF.

Floor: Struggles to hit above .250 in AA