Reese Kaplan -- All is Good at the Top But Less So at the Bottom

While most folks are ecstatic about the success the Mets have shown in the early going of the 2021 season, apparently the productivity everyone is experiencing is almost purely a major league phenomenon.  The end goal, of course, is to put a high quality product on the field that will compete for the postseason playoffs and eventually the World Series.  However, no matter how good your team is, you need to make sure that the winning ways are sustainable.  When you start to talk to fans about the Mets in the minor league organization it would appear there is something of a quality gap.

Let’s start with the position of catcher which has been something of a struggle since departing ways with Mike Piazza.  Yes, there were some flashes occasionally from other major league players, but way too many innings were played by the likes of Rene Rivera, Devin Mesoraco, Jose Lobaton, Kevin Plawecki and the like.  As a catcher, Wilson Ramos was a good hitter, so the team opted to go in a different direction this year and inked James McCann to a free agent deal to help the pitchers perform at their best.

You would think in the minors behind McCann there would be ample weapons ready to ascend to the big club, but Pat Mazeika has been pushed to take innings at first base due to his struggles behind the plate.  Tomas Nido is in the majors mostly because he was out of options.  Ali Sanchez has good catching skills but has not shown much with the bat.  There are a handful of others in the pipeline donning the gear, but it’s not until you reach down to Francisco Alvarez that there is anyone who seems to have major league starting potential.  

The middle infielders and third base markets are a bit more optimistic.  Fans saw Ronny Mauricio during Spring Training demonstrating that his added muscle might propel him a bit ahead of others in the ascent to the majors.  Third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty both draw a lot of accolades for what they’re doing in the lower minors, but it’s likely a few years before either gets to Queens. 

 

The outfield is another bit of a black hole for the organization.  They have filled out the upper minor league roster with retreads and AAAA players from other organizations.  The first real prospect level player to catch anyone’s attention is Pete Crow-Armstrong, but at age 20 this year he’s a bit far off to put into the near term plans.

For a club always known for its pitching, the previous regime was fond of trading away many of the higher level prospects.  The Mets just recently waived Franklyn Kilome to create space on the 40-man roster.  Thomas Szapucki is likely the most highly regarded arm in the minors, but he’s been on a slow route back after injuries.  No one is sure how stable he will be nor how long he will need in development.

Mets fans are already giddy with playoff anticipation.  People are clamoring for the likes of Kris Bryant to come play 3rd base and a real centerfielder to emerge who can lead with defense as well as offense.  No one, however, seems to be talking about the lack of focus on developing players internally to supplant lesser talents or more expensive options at the major league level.  Here’s hoping the Cohen-led Mets have some deeper thinking than has been exhibited recently.