Now that the Mets and the rest of baseball will resume playing the game we love, there are a number of things to look forward to seeing when Spring Training begins. Obviously folks want to see the conditioning and readiness of the players projected to be regulars in the Mets lineup going forward, but often the most interesting aspect of Spring Training is watching the rookies and other minor leaguers not quite ready for their Major League debut. Going into this hypothetical late Spring Training, who is on that list of players the Mets fans (and media) most want to see?
Matt Allan has had a bit of a rough start to his professional pitching career having appeared in just 6 games in 2019 before missing out on 2020 and 2021 due to injury. In those games he flashed the ability that made him an appealing draft pick, going 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA with 14 Ks over his 10.1 innings pitched. People want to see how he's recovered and whether or not he can continue to show that kind of talent.
Righty J.T. Ginn has had a bit more exposure with 36 games between the NCAA and the minor leagues since tracking his stats began in 2019. During that period he managed to go 13-9 with a solid 3.13 ERA. In over 180 innings pitched he's struck out 190 and maintained a greater than 4:1 Strikeout-to-Walk ratio.
Lefty hitting infielder/outfielder Brett Baty has played in aggregate just slightly more than one full season of professional baseball with 715 ABs. During that time he has 20 HRs and 104 RBIs to go with a batting average of .274. The only red mark on his record which is common for power hitters is 194 strikeouts, but people are excited as his batting average has been creeping up, crossing .300 once and finishing the Arizona Fall League at .292.
Shortstop Ronnie Mauricio is a very interesting case of an absolutely superb fielder who is coming around with his bat. In 2021 in 421 ABs for Brooklyn and Binghamton combined he hit 20 HRs and drove in 64 but the lackluster batting average of .260 for his career is a reason for some concern. The bigger issue, of course, is the man with the 10-year contract named Francisco Lindor holding down shortstop for the big club.
Tall and skinny Mark Vientos is turning it on at the right time in the minors. Last season he played for both Binghamton and Syracuse. In little more than a half season's worth of at-bats he slugged 25 HRs and drove in 63 while batting .281. That potential has folks salivating but also has them wondering between he and Baty who is going to be trade bait and who is likely going to have to move off of third base.
During the 2021 season the Mets fans did get a brief glimpse of speedy Khalil Lee but it was hardly memorable. In 18 Major League ABs he managed just a single hit. However, in AAA for Syracuse last year he hit a solid .274 while hitting 14 HRs and driving in 37 while playing a sensational outfield and stealing some bases. When playing for the Royals Texas League affiliate in 2019 he stole 53 bases, so the hope for big numbers is most definitely there. He may crack the team coming out of Spring Training or could be the first call-up.
Nick Plummer started off quite slowly in the Cardinals organization, but in 2021 he combined to hit .280 with 15 HRs, 54 RBIs and stole 13 bases. At age 25 he's on the edge of either making it in a reserve role or being labeled a AAAA player. When St. Louis chose not to add him to the 40-man roster the Mets added him to their team on a Major League contest. It turns out earlier wrist surgeries attributed to his slow start and the Mets are banking on what he did last year as indicative of his potential to succeed.
By everyone's standards the Mets' top minor league prospect is chunky catcher Francisco Alvarez. From 2019 through 2021 he's ascended from rookie leagues up to A+ and has accumulated just shy of a full season's worth of ABs. In 482 times to the plate he's managed to slug 31 HRs, drive in 96 and hit .285. The team is probably somewhat worried that at 5'11" the Venezuelan prospect is already carrying 233 pounds, but you can't argue with what he's doing with the bat in his hands. Some are predicting a 2022 appearance in Queens, but he's likely going to spend the season between AA and AAA before getting a chance to make his debut behind the plate in 2023 at the ripe old age of 22.
6 comments:
I saw something this week that Allan hopes to pitch in 2022, but his TJS surgery was in May 2021, so he won't be ready for a return until later in the summer. I think they will be careful not to rush him back.
Allan had that UCL nerve realignment surgery this off season, so he is delayed, otherwise he'd have been back mid year. H hopefully he gets some games in during 2022 and makes major strides in 2023.
I hope Alvarez weight does not become an issue - right now, he looks like the Thing in Fantastic Four. Hopefully he stays quick and nimble.
I wonder if the "skinny" part will still apply to Vientos. I may be in a small minority, but I am hoping he is Alonso II, but with a better batting average. Strong dude.
The big story now will be an absolutely frenetic reshaping of major league rosters. Hopefully the Mets are locked and loaded.
Tom, I have to say, if Eppler doesn’t know everything there is to learn from coaches and front office people now, then, just shake my head. Best thing that could have happened for him and the Mets.
I am also very anxious to see how things develop in spring training. All the folks you mention should be fun to watch, as well as our newly minted free agents.
I am a little worried about the weight comment on Alvarez. We have had some players before that have struggled with their playing weight - I can think of Butch Husky, Dom had a tough year when he came in big, and even Familia struggled when his uniform was tight.
Gus, right on cue, we get Bassitt.
Paul, right now Alvarez's weight is all good - but I think of our recent catcher The Buffalo. Burly, a very good hitter, but ground to a halt recently. Alvarez will have to keep the weight under control. For a good while, being built like a rock will work well. But I want this guy around for MORE than 10 years. To do that, weight will be the challenge.
Post a Comment