TOP 50 METS PROSPECTS: #26 THRU 30 – Tom Brennan

TOP PROSPECTS

TOP 50 METS PROSPECTS: #26 THRU 30 – Tom Brennan

A minor league system that in 2015 promoted several, traded many, had several prospects run into the Tommy John buzzsaw, and saw a few guys go from prospect to suspect.  Leaving a diminished, but still solid, minor league system prospect-wise. 

(See website sidebar for list of my #31-50 dudes, covered in prior articles.)

Today, here’s my #26 thru #30: 

26.     MARCOS MOLINA: brilliant in Brooklyn in 2014, he was the best pitcher in the NY Penn League that year….highly touted...but elbow issues in 2015 were a major setback and he only managed to go 1-5, 4.57 over just 41 innings.  If he resolves those successfully, he could be a top 5 prospect and future mid-rotation addition. 

27.     TRAVIS TAIJERON:  The 18^th rounder from 2011 was touted as a high power, hi K guy with a hole in his bat when drafted.  He has lived up to that billing and was the Mets Sterling award winner for AAA this year, with a .274/.393/.536 line.  He is an extra base hit machine, and led the minor league organization in 2015 with 25 homers in just 394 at bats, but still K’d 147 times in 127 games spanning 450+ plate appearances. Figure out how to cut that rate down, could have a major league career. Big “if”. 

28.     MARTIRES ARIAS: a man with a similar rap sheet to Scarlyn Reyes (my # 45), in that it took him a while to get untracked in pro ball, but he is rolling now. Arias, who will be 25 in 2016, was 6-0. 1.11 in 57 IP in his breakthrough 2014 season, and followed that up with an 8-5, 2.29 ERA year mostly in Savannah, with 115 Ks in 118 innings, and a 1.09 WHIP. With so many starters promoted and traded out of the minors in 2015, Arias may well be a top 5 starter in their system right now. With his innings now built up, he has the foundation to pitch 150 innings in 2016 and accelerate his progression. One to watch in 2016. 

29.     MATT OBERSTE: this fly-under-radar fellow got more playing time in St Lucie once Michael Conforto got promoted.  Oberste took advantage, ending up playing 111 games and hitting .301/.359/.430, virtually the same #’s as MVP Dominic Smith.  Very solid #’s for this 2013 7^th rounder.  He will certainly go to AA next year to see if he can continue the momentum.  

30.     ALI SANCHEZ: the very young but highly touted international signing had a fine 2015 in the GCL. Signed at age 16 for $690,000, he hit .272 this year and is touted to have strong defensive skills.  Ali, along with 21 year old Pat Mazelka, give the Mets 2 mighty fine catching prospects. Another short season probably at Kingsport or Brooklyn awaits the teenager in 2016.  He should move up this list rapidly.

5 articles covering my #26 - 50 candidates; 5 more to go for the Top 25.