I happened to look at the Mets’ website lists its Top 20 Prospects:
1. Noah
"Thor" Syndergaard
2. Kevin
Plawecki
3. Brandon
Nimmo
4. Michael
Conforto
5. Dominic
Smith
6. Rafael
Montero
7. Amed
Rosario
8. Dilson
Herrera
9. Steve
Matz
10. Gavin Cecchini
11. Milton
Ramos
12. Gabe Ynoa
13. Cesar Puello
14. Cory Mazzoni
15. Jack Leathersich
16. Marcos Molina
17. Blake
Taylor
18. Michael Fulmer
19. Logan Verrett
20. Matt Reynolds
Quite a list, in my opinion. For instance, for Matt Reynolds after his stellar season to only be # 20 is incredible.
I don't agree fully with the order or those listed, but let's not quibble. Except...
Note that the list does not include two Brennan favorites, Akeel Morris and Dario Alvarez.
- I’d have put Akeel in Ramos’ spot personally, and left Ramos out of the Top 20 for now – he’s young and did OK in GCL this year, even if he has a high ceiling.
- Blake Taylor struggled in 2014 in Kingsport, and I’d have slotted the older but far more effective Dario in his slot instead.
Both Blake and Ramos may deserve top 20 ranking in 2015’s list, but I think those are premature.
I’d say there are also some guys not listed in the Mets' Top 20 who might easily have cracked the Mets’ Top 20 a few years ago.
For instance, just to name a few:
· Cory Oswalt, 4th in ERA & WHIP, 8th
in K’s in NY Penn League – not in there.
· TJ Rivera hit .350 – not in there.
· Robert Whalen missed time with a hand infection,
but in 2 years is 12-4, 1.89, a K per inning, and a 0.96 WHIP - not in
there.
· Danny Muno - .372 on base, .418 slug as a 2B (and
more like .390/.480 after May) - not in there.
· LJ Mazzilli, .301/.361/.419 in mid and high A
ball - not in there.
· Martirez Arias, 6-0, 1.11, a K per inning - not
in there.
· Brad Wieck, 1.40, 39 Ks in 26 innings in Bklyn -
not in there.
WOW. We've come a long way in minor league land, baby, IMO.
What do you, the reader, think? Am I just too optimistic?
TB.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, that is a strong list, best I can remember. Of course, time will tell.
This is the most solid evidence that Sandy and Co have a clear plan moving forward and despite the short term pain of losing, it really does look like the model of the future. The Yankee way of throwing money at a problem has them bloated with payroll and short on talent, with very little chance if changing. I think the Mets are ready to step forward and be at the top of the league for a nice run on the talent they have at or near the ML, but it is the inventory beneath it that separates them from the pack. They will get something for the Vets to replenish the upper minors following graduation, have a dream rotation, a $60M payroll that can afford raises to keep everyone and an absolutely stocked Farm. That is a great place to be and the current front office deserves credit for the rebuild and the patience to endure the criticism to get there. Many in the ML see the Mets poised to move up now and with what they have below, it is far more sustainable that the old model of all eggs in for today. I, for one, am very pleased at where they are and where they are going. I can remember when Yusmeiro Petit was a top 3 prospect
ReplyDeleteAnon Joe F