TOP 50 PROSPECTS: #16 THRU 20 – Tom Brennan

TOP PROSPECTS

TOP 50 PROSPECTS: #16 THRU 20 – 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 #21-50 dudes, covered in prior articles.)

Today, here’s my #16 thru #20:

16.   DARIO ALVAREZ: he came out of nowhere in 2014 to dominate in A ball in relief, got a brief cup of coffee with the Mets that year, was lousy this year in April and May, and back to dominance in 2015 from June on.  Messed up his chance with showing the Mets he belonged not only on the Mets, but on the post-season roster, when he hurt his leg in early September.  Great breaking ball got Dario lots of minor league strikeouts in 2014 and 2015: 176 in 115 innings. Walked a few too many in 2015.  He could be a lead lefty out of the Mets pen in 2016 – or fail to cut it - time will tell.

17.   SETH LUGO: Was not quite sure where to put this overachieving RHSP, a 34^th round pick in 2011, who pitched well enough in AA in 2015 that, after the slew of trades, etc. involving minor league starters in 2015 cleared out spots, he got to start 5 games late in the season in AAA, where he went 2-2, 4.00, and struck out 30 in 27 innings.  He feels to me like a Dillon Gee quality pitcher when Gee was close to major league ready several years ago.  Seems he could be a Logan Verrett equivalent and, as such, a 5^th starter/pen type eventually. 

18.   LUIS MATEO: promising enough to be a highly ranked Mets pitching prospect heading into 2013, Luis slammed into the Tommy John Wall, which effectively blew away most of 2013, most of 2014, and half of 2015.  But Luis, who turns 26 next spring, got in 17 relief outings in 2015, with a 1.59 ERA, 24 Ks in 22.2 IP, and a 0.79 WHIP.  Which tells me he is healthy.  If he stays healthy, maybe the old Luis is back and he makes the Mets pen at some point in 2016. 

19.   CHRISTIAN MONTGOMERY: An 11^th rounder in 2011 out of high school, he had adjustment problems and hardly pitched before 2015.  In Brooklyn, he dazzled early, throwing 9.2 shutout innings in relief, allowing 3 hits, and fanning 18.  He was hot and cold in Savannah after being promoted there, but in his last 4 relief appearances there, the hard throwing righty went 7.1 innings, allowed 2 hits, and fanned 16. Who does that?  I’m sold.  Perhaps this gent can be another Jeurys Familia.  Let’s see how he does in 2016. 

20.   MATT REYNOLDS: A great minor league season in 2014 for this 2012 second rounder, with a great spring 2015 that had many speculating if he’d make the Mets out of camp, then a great April, then…he struggled the rest of 2015, including dealing with an elbow injury, and never got the call to Queens.  A 2nd half fade led him to a .267/.319/.402 season line.  He did drive in 65 and score 70 and steal 13 of 17.  Bad year that he will rebound from?  How much due to the elbow?  Is the elbow now OK? Unclear, but one could see him repeating AAA or being traded.  So much competition to be on the Mets’ roster for middle IF spots.

OK…

Seven articles covering my #16 - 50 candidates; 3 more to go for the Top 15.