Tom Brennan - Majoring on the Minors: Top 30 Prospects - #10 Cory Mazzoni

MAJORING ON THE MINORS: TOP 30 PROSPECTS – #10 CORY MAZZONI - VOL.21 – Tom Brennan

I’m doing my Top 30 Prospects articles a bit differently – in 2 lists:

·       A top 10 list of lower minors guys who likely won’t show up until 2017 or later.  Already done. See list at end of this article. 

·       Followed by my top 20 list of guys who are closing in on the big leagues.  Guys who could help in the near future or be trade bait. 

Here is the list so far:

20.   Daniel Muno

19.   Michael Fulmer

18.   Miller Diaz

17.   Dario Alvarez

16.   Jayce Boyd

15.   Rob Whalen

14.   Hansel Robles

13.   Gabriel Ynoa

12.   Gavin Cecchini

11.   Jack Leathersich

 Today, selection #10: CORY MAZZONI

Cory was drafted high, has great stuff, even if not Syndergaard/Matz stuff.  Mazzoni, though, has spent too much time in the infirmary in his career, and too little up on that 10 inch hill in the middle of the infield.

Mazzoni, a 2nd rounder in 2011, threw just 77 innings in 2014 after a mere 66 in 2013.  Covering 26 starts.  Some relievers throw more innings.

But he went 5-1 in 9 AAA starts, and his 4.67 PCL ERA probably equates to a 3.75 ERA in normal AAA leagues.  So despite a paucity of innings, Mazzoni finished strong, with 49 Ks in those 52 AAA innings.

So other than a crowded pitching staff, I think Cory is certainly ready for the back end of the Mets pen coming out of spring camp.  He could also be left to start in AAA, as it would allow the Mets to trade him as a viable young big league starter at mid-year to an aspiring team with pitching woes. He's a big league arm in a pitching-rich system.  He might be the best pitching prospect on a few teams at the other end of the abundance spectrum.

Mazzoni needs to come to camp healthy and throwing gas, and finish spring training doing the same, and force his way onto the Mets. He certainly is capable.

That’s why I slotted him #10 amongst the close-to-majors minor leaguers.  Whaddya think? 

MY TOP 10 LOWER MINORS LIST:

# 1 - Marcos Molina

#2 – Michael Conforto

#3 – Amed Rosario

#4 – Dominic Smith

#5 - Jhoan Urena

#6 – Vicente Lupo

#7 – Wuilmer Becerra

#8 – Luis Guillorme

#9 - Casey Meisner

#10 - Milton Ramos