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2/2/15

Tom Brennan - Majoring on the Minors: Top 30 Prospects - #4 Kevin Plawecki


MAJORING ON THE MINORS: TOP 30 PROSPECTS – #4 KEVIN PLAWECKI - VOL.27 – 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
10.   Cory Mazzoni
9.      Cesar Puello
8.      Matt Bowman
7.      Akeel Morris
6.      Matt Reynolds
5.      Brandon Nimmo

 Today, I move on to prospect #4:

KEVIN PLAWECKI

Always remember to take your supplements.  Matt Reynolds, my #6 “seasoned” prospect, was a supplemental pick. So too Mr. Plawecki, chosen with the 35th pick in 2012 in the sandwich round, as compensation for losing Jose Reyes.   

Let's sum up Plawecki quickly.  6’2”, 225 righty hitter.  A fine hitting catcher (.295/.372/.439 career) with extra base pop, Kevin makes excellent contact.  Solid catching skills too.  Already a AAA stint under his belt in 2014.

Hmmm.  Were it not for Travis d'Arnaud, Plawecki would be our opening day catcher, IMO.  And a good one.  Already.  Can he improve? Sure.  Will he?  Sure.

Will he play for the Mets? Sure, unless he is traded in a blockbuster deal. We're seeing a trend here that we haven't seen before...major-league-essentially-ready guys being held back due to existing talent at their position.  Plawecki won't be held back for long.  

Let's just hope if they eventually keep d'Arnaud and trade Plawecki, that the wrong guy is not sent packing.

Exciting times to have a Plawecki type as #4 prospect.

Next up, my #3 prospect.

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
on

3 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 2, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    Two young stud catchers - what a nice problem to have

    ReplyDelete
  2. That Adam SmithFebruary 2, 2015 at 8:56 PM

    The TdA concussion risk makes Plawecki a tough trade. And don't get me wrong, I love TdA's bat, and can see him as a .275, 20-25 homer guy (elite for a catcher). But it just seems like a guy that young, with multiple concussions behind him already, playing catcher no less, is a huge risk. And while Plawecki will never have TdA's power potential, he certainly looks like a plus hitter at the position. Therefore, if I had to trade one of them (and it's a tough, tough decision) it'd probably be Travis. Perhaps if we were to package TdA along with a young arm, we could get someone to take Granderson's contract off our hands.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tom BrennanFebruary 2, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    Maybe so, Adam. Having one of the 2, plus Xorge Carillo as back up in half a season to a season when he's more ready might be a realistic plan, allowing them to tradeone of these catching jewels.

    ReplyDelete