Tom Brennan - MY METS PROSPECTS: #41 THRU # 45

Tom Brennan - MY METS PROSPECTS: # 41 THRU # 45

The Cousin Brucey Top 40 is now out of the way, let's continue on today with uber-prospects 41 thru 45.  OK, maybe the only uber for these guys is when they catch an uber ride, but let's stay focused, Tom, this is serious stuff:

 

 

# 41 JACOB ZANON - I am taking a flyer on young Jake at # 41 despite him hitting poorly in rookie ball in 2016 and just .241 with little power in 2017 because the dude can burn on the basepaths...30 of 35 in steals in 2017, in just 66 games due to injury, and 20 of 22 in steals in just 44 injury-limited games in 2016.  Do the math, and that is 50 of 57 steals in 110 pro games, a terrific feat.

2016 15th rounder, the 6'0", 180 JZ did put up a decent .327 on base % in 2017 and makes good contact, so I am taking a flyer that in St Lucie in 2018, he will 1) boost the average and OBP more and 2) add some power.  The 22 year old's speed could be his ticket to the big leagues as an OF if he can dramatically improve with the bat over the next two years.

# 42 YOEL ROMERO - hopefully, his ranking will skyrocket next year when he comes stateside.  The First Yoel, the angels did say, had quite a season as an (old for the DSL) 19 year old in 2017: .364/.439/.464, with just 32 Ks in 67 games and 17 steals.  The third baseman needs to show he can hit well in rookie ball (most likely) next year, as a 22 year old.

Very importantly, he made just 2 errors in a highly error prone league while playing 3rd, 2nd, SS, and the outfield.  My take?  Keep an eye on this 6'0", 180 eighty hitter in 2018.

# 43 ALI SANCHEZ - the young catcher was starting to hit after a specially slow start with Columbia when he became a true Met: he got hurt and missed the rest of the season.  What to love about him?  He is deadly at throwing base stealers out, and he strikes out very little.  What not to love? The last 2 years, he has hit poorly, and with negligible power.

Why have him in the top 50?  If a hitter can make contact (he does), and has decent size (he doe#, at 6'1", 200), he might be able to add enough bat to at least become a 2nd string catcher in a few years, given his lethal arm behind the plate.

# 44 COREY TAYLOR - the portly hard throwing righty tossed 63 relief outings in rookie and A ball in 2015 and 2016, and had ERAs of 1.50 and 1.87, respectively, with 20 of 23 saves  2017 in AA. showed increased competition for Taylor,as he went 5-5, 3.61 in 42 outings.. The Midas Touch with saves dissipated, as he saved just 3 of 8, and his 69 hits allowed in 63 IP did not scream

"DOMINANCE." Only 108 Ks in 133 career IP is concerning.

He has, however, allowed only 5 homers in his career, so somone needs to give home run prone Jacob Rhame his phone #.  Corey has allowed just a walk every 4 innings in his career, so he does not beat himself, either via the long ball or walk.  AAA in 2018 should pose a real test for Taylor.  Let's hope the former 2015 7th rounder passes it with flying colors, as Corey (who turns 25 in January) has tons of pen competitors from here on out.

# 45 ANTHONY DIMINO - this diminutive 28th rounder from 2015 can really hit when healthy...in fact, he is a career .323 hitter, with a .414 on base % in his career, which has spanned only about 550 plate appearances so far.

He has caught, played the infield, played the outfield, even pitched in a pinch, and stolen 21 of 31. And in about 250 plate appearances in 2017 in St Lucie, he hit .330.  Virtually no power to speak of so far - think Luis Guillorme power.

 

The 24 year old lefty batter needs 500 plate appearances in AA in 2018 to establish himself perhaps as a Mets top 10 prospect.  Hey, they didn't respect TJ Rivera early in his career either.  I respect youse, Anthony.

 

Next article: my # 46 thru # 50, plus 1..