John From Albany - Early 2020 Rule 5 Eligible Projection

The other day Tony Plate talked about the possibility that Tim Tebow may be selected off the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft this coming winter. 

That made me wonder who beside Tim Tebow will be Rule 5 eligible this winter. 

With no minor league games extremely possible this year, it may be very difficult for teams to evaluate which players they should keep and who they may want to draft from other teams.

Even with 40-man roster spots being created up with the potential free agency of Marcus Stroman, Wilson Ramos, Rick Porcello, and Michael Wacha, there will not be a lot enough room to carry all of these players.

First, I think LHP David Peterson will surely be protected.  The Mets first round pick in 2017 (20^th overall) impressed this spring coming off a 0-1 3.46, mark over 4 starts and 13 innings in Arizona last fall. 

Next, I think the Mets will want to take a hard look at two of their top catching prospects: Andres Regnault and Wilfred Astudillo. 

At 21, Andres has a 29.9% caught stealing rate in his career, .292/.328/.489 (.817 OPS) last year in Kingsport. 

Wilfred Astudillo, 20, 77 games and 651.2 innings with 37.5% caught stealing in his career, .267/.323/.408 (.731 OPS) last year in Kingsport. 

I am pulling for three of my favorite minor league players, Wilmer Reyes who slashed .333/.350/.441 with 5 HR; 33 RBI; 12 steals in 61 games for Brooklyn last year.  His .791 OPS was one of the highest in the Mets system last year. 

Also, Jose Peroza in 49 2019 games he drove in 42 runs, 10 HR, 10 doubles, with a .263 BA, .330 OBP, .514 SLG.  At 19, Jose has three professional seasons behind him as compared to Brett Baty who just started his professional career.

Plus Ranfy Adon who showed speed and power in Brooklyn last year and over the winter was named the fastest Met player in their minor league system. 

Here are the minor league Mets that will be Rule 5 eligible for the first time this year:

Pitchers: Tony Dibrell; David Peterson; Marcel Renteria; Stephen Villines; Joe Cavallaro; Trey Cobb; Conner O'Neil; Jaison Vilera; Joshua Walker; Kyle Wilson; Daison Acosta; Willy Taveras; Garrison Bryant; Matt Cleveland; Michel Otanez; Christofer Dominguez;

Catcher: Wilfred Astudillo.

1B: Jeremy Vasquez;

SS: Wilmer Reyes; Cody Bohanek; Shervyen Newton;

3B: Will Toffey; Jose Peroza;

LF: Tim Tebow; Matt Winaker; Guillermo Granadillo;

RF: Quinn Brodey;

In addition, these players from last year’s list will be eligible again:

Pitchers: Adam Oller (acquired by the Mets in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft last year);  Alec Kisena; Austin McGeorge; Carlos Hernandez; Colin Holderman; Corey Taylor; Darwin Ramos; Dedniel Nunez; Ezequiel Zabaleta; Harol Gonzalez; Jake Simon; Joe Zanghi; Joel Huertas; Jose Moreno; Joseph Shaw; Malky Mena; Matt Blackham; Ryder Ryan; Thomas McIlraith; Yeizo Campos;

Catchers: Andres Regnault; Austin Bossart; Dan Rizzie; Jose Mena; Juan Uriarte; Patrick Mazeika;

2B: Blake Tiberi; Gregory Guerrero; Luis Carpio;

SS: Edgardo Fermin; Hansel Moreno;

3B: David Thompson;

LF: Jacob Zanon; Wagner Lagrange; Yoel Romero;

CF: Braxton Lee (acquired by the Mets in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in 2018);   Desmond Lindsay;

RF: Ranfy Adon; Raul Beracierta;