John From Albany - Steve Cohen and Updated Alternate Prospect list.

Congratulations to Steve Cohen for reaching an agreement to buy the Mets. 

Many will be debating on what move he should make first and advice on how he spends his money.  I just request one thing.

Fix the minor leagues to emphasize fundamentals, pitching, speed, and defense.  Far too many players come to the Mets not ready to play key positions let alone be able to bunt, steal bases, run the bases or not get picked off in key situations.

Yes, the pitching staff has struggled.  However, good defense can help poor pitching or a pitching who is struggling – a lot.    

Right now, we have the worst rated defensive CF in Baseball.  There have been numerous base hits that a normal CF would have made.   

Brandon Nimmo rates as the worst defensive center fielder in baseball https://t.co/yCc97e77h5 pic.twitter.com/j7eVsrLvKj

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 14, 2020

I saw Brandon struggle in the outfield in the minors.  If should have been no surprise to “the baseball people” that he was not up for the CF job in NY.  And if the baseball people told certain people that Brandon was not best suited for CF, and upper management because of money, or stubbornness or some other reason put him there anyway – then that’s a different problem but it needs to be corrected  as well. 

That’s why I have moved Johneshwy Fargas CF all the way up to #1 on the prospect list CF.  Like one of my previous #1’s, Andres Gimenez, he is ready to help now at the Major League level with his speed and his outfield play. 

Having him at  #1 also protects other prospects I like, especially Wilmer Reyes, after my last #1 prospect, Kevin Smith, was recently traded to the Orioles.    

More than likely, Johneshwy will be a minor league free agent at the end of the year, but in this make the playoffs or break year, he should be called up to help. 

With that in mind, here is the updated list:

1. CF Johneshwy Fargas; 2. SS Wilmer Reyes; 3. C/1B Patrick Mazieka; 4. OF Jake Mangum; 5. C Francisco Alvarez; 6. RHSP Matthew Allan; 7. 3B Brett Baty; 8. SS Ronny Mauricio; 9. 3B Mark Vientos; 10. CF Pete Crow Armstrong; 

11. RHP J.T. Ginn; 12. OF Isaiah Greene; 13. LHSP Thomas Szapucki; 14. RHSP Harol Gonzalez; 15. RHSP Garrison Bryant; 16. RHSP Josh Wolf; 17. RHP Richard Brito; 18. Robert Dominguez RHP; 19. Alexander Ramirez OF; 20. RF Freddy Valdez;

21. C Ali Sanchez; 22. C Endy Rodriguez; 23. C Andres Regnault; 24. 2B Carlos Cortes; 25. RHRP Stephen Nogosek; 26. RHRP Ryley Gilliam; 27. RHRP Matt Blackham; 28. RHRP Stephen Villines 29. LHRP Andrew Mitchell; 30. RHSP Nathan Jones;

31. RHRP Adonis Uceta; 32. LF Wagner Lagrange; 33. IF Luis Carpio; 34. RHP Junior Santos; 35. IF/OF Yoel Romero; 36. IF/OF Hansel Moreno; 37. RF Scott Ota; 38. LF Zach Ashford; 39. SS Federico Polanco; 40. 3B Jose Peroza;

41. LHRP Andrew Edwards; 42. RHRP Mitch Ragan; 43. RHSP Tylor Megill; 44. 2B Luke Ritter; 45. RHRP Jared Biddy; 46. RHRP Matt Mullenbach; 47. 1B Joe Genord; 48. OF Ranfy Adon; 49. LF Antoine Duplantis; 50. C David Rodriguez.