Tom Brennan - METS HITTER PIPELINE THOUGHTS

Tom Brennan - METS HITTER PIPELINE THOUGHTS

Often, when things go awry during the season, the Mets will dive into the retread bin in search of other team's garbage that can somehow be turned into "Mets Gold" with a little bit of Fairy Dust.

But the minor league system can (and if healthy should) be a PIPELINE when Queens players get hurt.  Who can we consider to be in the HITTER PIPELINE, and when might they be available? No Amed Rosario or Dominic Smith to call up this year, so who CAN be tapped in a pinch?

IF AN INFIELDER IS NEEDED:

Gavin Cecchini and Matt Reynolds stand at the ready. 

Matt's a proven marginal commodity, but maybe the younger Cecchini can somehow surprise to the upside in 2018 after a 2017 when the glove improved and the bat regressed.

WHEN READY?  Whenever needed.

EXPECTED IMPACT: Fill-in types, but I don't expect much.

Luis Guillorme - glove machine (his favorite President? Hoover) and good on base ability. Negligible power.

WHEN READY?  Midseason.

EXPECTED IMPACT: superior defense coupled with borderline competent major league offense in 2018 could make him a viable everyday fill in for a few months.  Or better....he is driven to improve.

Jeff McNeil - Good all-around utility skill set.

WHEN READY? Midseason, if he starts hot in 2018 in AAA.

EXPECTED IMPACT: possibly good - all depends what he can show the Mets in early 2018.

IF A FIRST BASEMAN IS NEEDED:

Jayce Boyd - he hit really well over the last few months in AAA in 2017, so maybe he could give it a go.

WHEN READY? Midseason.

EXPECTED IMPACT?  Unclear...the bat may be OK, but defense after his injury impacted his throwing a few years ago is a question mark for me.

Pete Alonso - he of the formidable, booming bat.

WHEN READY? Mid-to-late season.

EXPECTED IMPACT: Big impact...he will start somewhere in the majors in 2019.  Possible future star bat, hopefully Conforto quality.  1B?  3B?  OF?  AL DH?  Saw a video - he is working really hard this off season to get better, stronger, and more agile and quick.  Hopefully, a quick payoff.

IF AN OUTFIELDER IS NEEDED:

Zach Borenstein: think Travis Taijeron, but lefty bat. KKKKK

WHEN READY:  when needed.

EXPECTED IMPACT?  Very marginal...short term, limited use fill-in unless he improves.

Kevin Kaczmarski - he is to the OF what Jeff McNeil is to the IF....light power, solid speed, good bat, good defense.

WHEN READY? Midseason.

EXPECTED IMPACT: Soup Campbell until proven otherwise.

Jhoan Urena - defensively shaky at IF positions other than 1B, let's hope the switch hitter breaks through as a 2018 OF.

WHEN READY? Midseason.

EXPECTED IMPACT: negligible to modest, unless proven otherwise.  More Soup.

IF A CATCHER IS NEEDED:

Tomas Nido - good defensive catcher, weak offensive 2017.

WHEN READY?  Any time as an infrequent sub, midseason if needed to start.

EXPECTED IMPACT: quite low unless he hits better.

OTHERS - YEAR END CALL UP TYPES?  

Guys who need more seasoning but could show up in Sept.: 

Tim Tebow (outfielder) - maybe I'll write about him one day; 

Kevin Taylor (utility) - two very solid seasons; 

LJ Mazzilli (utility) - down on the depth chart, and aging; 

David Thompson (3B) - Mets' 2019 3B?  2018 will reveal all.

Pat Mazeika (catcher) - can he be effective at higher levels?   

I am not drooling over the latter bucket of talent, personally.  May each and every one of them, however, prove me wrong.

This list should NOT be comforting to a contending 2018 Mets team - if they do in fact contend.  Why?  

This 2018 hitting pipeline collectively is below average, until proven otherwise, or needs more time to develop than 2018.  Call ups may be insufficiently talented for a contending team to not be set back in its quest for the postseason.

The Inevitable Crosstown Comparison:

At the risk of once again being told I focus too much on the success of the team in the Bronx, here is what John Sickels wrote on December 18 about the Yankee farm system:

"The Yankees have insane depth, and a large number of the “Other C+” guys would rank on Top 20 lists in other systems. There is so much depth here it is rather overwhelming. Some of these grades may actually be too conservative."

My question: How can the Mets do something at least remotely close to that in their minor league system?  

Like, ever?

INFIELDER ACQUISITION THOUGHTS:  A different subject from the above, but it is the current hot topic for the Mets right now.  My reaction? Not in this article - SORRY.

My advice, tho'? Choose wisely.  We have a Division to win.