Here are the Mets' 2023 Top 30 prospects -
Jump: Jesus Baez, SS/3B (2022: NR | 2023: No. 13)
Baez may have been overshadowed by bigger international signings Simon Juan and Willy Fañas when he joined the Mets on Jan. 15, 2022 for $225,000, but he’s quickly become one of the most exciting bats in the entire system. The right-handed slugger shows tremendous raw pop, especially to his pullside, and that should find its way more into games as he continues to grow into what his now just a 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame.
He’s already moved around a little between short, second and third but projects best at the hot corner with the arm strength to handle the position. Watch out for Baez’s stateside debut in 2023.
Mack - We’ve discussed Jesus recently.
A great team has to continue to strengthen their system with top prospects that will be ready at all positions every four years.
Right now, Baez projects as one of those next infield pieces that should be ready by 2026 (along with Jacob Reimer and Dangelo Samiento).
Mets’ 5 best DH options to platoon with Daniel Vogelbach for 2023 MLB season -
2. Tommy Pham is primary right-handed DH for New York
This scenario calls for several moving parts. Pham was signed to be the Mets fourth outfielder, though he’s been a regular player every season since 2017. One way to get Pham the at bats he’s accustomed to would be to have him fill the DH slot opposite Vogelbach. Pham hits from the right side, has power and handles both right- and left-handed pitching well.
His career slash against lefties is .276/.392/.450 with an .842 OPS. That would play nicely in the Mets lineup. But if Pham does slot into that role on a regular basis, the Mets will need to have another outfielder on the roster. That could be Tim Locastro, a non-roster invitee who would provide a much-needed speed element to the Mets bench, or utility man Danny Mendick, who is also fast but not a traditional outfielder.
Mack - Pham will make this team, but could be pushed out of the DH job by Vientos or Alvarez.
All this will be determined I spring training.
Notes about players that missed the Top 20 list:
Right-hander Junior Santos is still just 20 years old, but he’s stalled out a little bit, showing arm strength, up to 95-96 mph, but not much else so far, not even a decent changeup or anything similar for lefties. He’s 6-foot-7 though,e and surprisingly around the plate given his inconsistent release point.
Mack - Santos first played in the Mets system as a 16- year old in 2018.
He wowed them in that first year but levels off, posting a 4.47-ERA for Brooklyn last season.
2023 is going to be a make it or break it year for this once top level prospect.
https://theathletic.com/4245052/2023/02/24/mets-bullpen-candidates/?source=user-shared-article -
Sam Coonrod (30)
Acquired: Claimed off waivers from Philadelphia, February 2023
Status: On the 40-man roster with options, meaning he can be shuttled between Triple A and the majors all season.
Repertoire: Fastball, sinker, slider, changeup
2022: 7.82 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 major-league innings
Coonrod’s 2022 statistics belie the relatively solid track record he has in the major leagues, with strong seasons for the Giants in 2019 and the Phillies in 2021. Although Coonrod’s changeup has been his best secondary offering to this point, he worked diligently this offseason to refine a slider that the Mets are excited to evaluate in camp.
“I’ve never consistently had a pitch that went left. I make the ball go to the right, armside, very well,” Coonrod said. “This (slider) has made it a lot easier.”
After spending the last two seasons in Philly, Coonrod was especially excited to be claimed by the Mets.
“One of my favorite places to pitch is New York. The mound is great, the atmosphere’s great,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity and I’m very grateful.”
Mack - Coonrod was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2014 draft by the Giants, out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
He has pitched for both the Giants and Phillies and has a combined MLB stat line of 105-G, 2-starts, 7-5, 5.27, 97.1-IP, 95-K
2022 MLB stats: -0.3-WAR, 0-0, 7.82
Mets’ 5 best DH options to platoon with Daniel Vogelbach for 2023 MLB season -
4. Mark Vientos makes roster as part of Mets DH platoon
This is a wild card option but an appealing one considering Vientos is a homegrown prospect looking to prove he’s MLB ready. The 23-year-old slugger hit 24 home runs and had 72 RBI at Triple-A Syracuse last season. He batted a solid .280 and had an .877 OPS, playing every day against lefties and righties.
He got 41 plate appearances in a late season call up to The Show and batted .167, though he did hit his first major league homer. If Vientos hits this spring and shows that he can adequately play in the field as a back up — at third and first base — he’s got a good shot at earning a roster spot in the DH role.
Mack - I’ve said this before… there is nothing left for this guy to do in upstate New York.
Play him or trade him.
Interesting that among the young IF prospects at the bottom of the system, I don't see any mention of Jett Williams.
ReplyDeleteIn the comments about Pham, the one that says if he gets the DH job the Mets will have to sign another OFer to replace him. Last time I checked, Ruf is an OFer, and is still under contract. How many OFers do we need, especially given McNeil 's ability to play there?
Lastly, I disagree that Vientos has "nothing left to do" in AAA. He is very weak on Defense, and has a very high K rate. IMO he needs to work on both by playing every day, and that won't happen in Flushing. If both Ruf and Pham show, by the end of May, that they are not the answer as RH DH, AND Vientos shows dominance upstate, his time may come. But he's got a lot to work on until that time.
Jett is at least 3 years away
ReplyDeleteSo are Baez, Ramos and Sarmiento. Why is Jett not in the same mix?
DeleteVientos has hit the ball well this spring. It will be interesting to see if he gets the shot at DH. The argument about Pham filling against lefties in the DH spot makes sense. It will come down to those two.
ReplyDeleteHe has no future as a Mets third baseman.
ReplyDeleteSend him to Syracuse to learn the outfield or keep him in Queens to DH and backup Pete
Vientos is a K machine. He needs to hit100 ABs at Syracuse with show power and a reduced K rate to get those DH ABs.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree Vientos is a K machine, especially as he has shown the ability to get bountiful with HRs for months at a stretch. He destroys lefties, plain and simple….330/.408./772 last yr in AAA.
ReplyDelete122 K in 378 AB in AAA. That's one in just over 3 AB. What's the cutoff for qualifying as a "K machine"?
DeleteWe are Pham-I-ly, it will be Mark Vientos or me.
ReplyDeleteJudge is a K machine. His power makes no one care.
ReplyDeleteError count: Baty 2, Vientos 0
ReplyDeleteBill, I always look at PAs it’s hitters . Vientos 122 Ks in 427 ABs. Yep, too high, but he hits after slow starts with lots of HRs.
ReplyDeleteJudge fanned 250 times in his first 182 games as a Yank. He refined.