Mack – Looking Ahead for Promotions

Good morning.

I thought that this would be a good time to check out the pipeline stats and see which players are earning a bump up in the next 30-45 days. We all know how the Mets brass move their talent with tortoise speed and, what the hell, maybe this post will be read by someone that could get things moving for the players that deserve it.

Let’s get started.

First, the pitchers.

Simply put, it just is too early to move any of the pitchers no matter how well they are doing. Starters usually need 10 starts, and relievers need 20 appearances, before some of them get the call to the manager’s office. Any move before that would be premature.

The bats:

Blake Tiberi – 2B  23/yrs – 2016 3^rd round pick, Louisville - Tiberi was moved from third base and has now become the full time second baseman for the Columbia team (this was move that proved to be wise since prospect second baseman Walter Rasquin was suspended this month for drug use). The move has elevated his game at the plate and raised his seasonal batting average in the .300 range. He’s 23 and, in any other franchise, we would already be playing A+ ball. There really is no one standing in his way and, boy, we all know we are in need of developing levels of second base prospects. As of 5-12, he has an incredible .436/OBP, which is ranked second in the Sally. Going to St. Lucie would allow Luis Carpio to concentrate his game at third.

Jeremy Vasquez – 1B  21/yrs old – 2017 28^th round pick, Nova Southeastern (FL) – A rare find in the 28^th round. Vasquez played well for the University of Florida for two years (2015: .339; 2016: .291) but chose to transfer to a smaller school in Florida. He hit .317 in 2017, with 15-HRs and 49-RBIs (453-OBP, 1.067-OPS). He’s now hitting well above the .300 level, though he does need to work on his K/9 levels. Still, like Tiberi, no one really stands in his way at St. Lucie. Dash Winningham is holding down first there, but his projected power never developed and he’s hitting below the Mendoza line. Both he and Tiberi would be a welcome addition to an anemic St. Lucie offense.

Peter Alonso – 1B  23/yrs old – 2016 round two pick – Florida – Here’s the reason Vasquez transferred from Florida to Nova (you have to assume that Alonso told the Mets about Vasquez). Alonso spilt time with Alonso at Florida in 2016, but turned in a stat line of 211-AB, .374/.469/.659/1.128, 14-HR, 60-RBIs. He’s simply a house on fire this year for Binghamton and something has to give here. Adrian Gonzalez only plays first and is playing up to par. Dominic Smith really doesn’t deserve to lose his gig in Vegas. I don’t have an answer here, but Alonso is batter #1 in this pipeline and he needs to either go out west or head to Queens.

Honorable Mentions - 

2B Jeff McNeil - 26/yrs. old - 2013 round 12 pick, Long Beach State - AA- 2018: 
 Binghamton:   .307/.407/.673/1.080. 

OF Tim Tebow -  30/yrs. old  - undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida... AA-Binghamton: .260/.345/.430/775 

I highlighted both these guy's age in red because I believe this is the one impediment standing in the way for either of these guys from making it to Queens.

Yes McNeil is knocking the letter off the Eastern League balls and, yes, he's second in the league in slugging and fourth in OBP, but I can't see any way of him fighting through the fog of Abstrubel Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, T.J. Rivera, Nick Evans, Ty Kelly, and Gavin Cecchini for a utility job in Flushing this season.

As for Tebow, I tip the Mack hat to him. He's proving me wrong more every day.