Observations from Mack - Updated Future Team, The Affiliates
I started this last week and had 13 players that I targeted for the”new look” Mets. Some are under long term contracts, while two are on the IL this season.
I’m adding seven more this week:
Here it is so far:
1. 1B Pete Alonso
2. 2B Ronny Mauricio
3. SS Francisco Lindor
4. 3B Brett Baty
5. UT-IF Jose Peroza - the Mets are going to have to, literally, revamp their entire utility team, starting with the infield, Right now, Peroza is stepping up as a capable hitter as wel as an above average defensive player (per in person scouting report by John From Albany).
6. C Francisco Alvarez
7. UT-C Gary Sanchez - I have a feeling that this might be one of the greatest free agent pickups in this decade. Yeah Decade. They do have to sign him this week and, if he plays well this year, and it needs to be more than just for the remainder of this season. But, Sanchez could be the perfect 1-2 combo with Francisco Alvarez.
8. LF Jeff McNeil
9. CF Brandon Nimmo
10. RF Starling Marte
11. UT-OF Matt Rudick - A potential late round success story, Rudick is putting up decent numbers for the B-Mets this season and will probably finish in Syracuse this season. He can play all three outfield positions that sure helps his case as a utility outfielder.
12. RHDH Mark Vientos - no big news here. I simply forgot to put him on my initial list. DOH.
13. SP1 Justin Verlander - In this case, I didn’t forget. I just needed to seehim pitch more and his 7-inning outing last week made me immediately change my mind here. Not like Max, this dude could go as long as Tom Brady did.
14. SP3 Kodai Senga
15. SP Tyler Megill - Megill isn’t setting the house on fire but he helps prevent it from burning down. I would definitly havehim as my SP5 in 2024
16. SP4 Jose Quintana (IL)
17. RHRP Adam Ottovino
18. RHRP Drew Smith
19. RHCL Edwin Diaz (IL)
20. LHRP Nathan Lavender - A name you might not be familiar with. This year’s closer in Syracuse. Has never pitched badly in organized ball. Power pitcher with a high K/9 ratio. One of my 2024 back-end relievers.
As you know, I track the results of the affiliates each morning as part of my Tuesday morning minor league report. Frankly, so far this season, this is more like work than pleasure.
None of the four teams are winning enough games to make their playoffs… some aren’t even close. Add to that disappointing the outputs from top prospects like Blade Tidwell, Kevin Parada, and Jett Williams and it’s been a challenging season down on the farm.
The good night is the emergence of Brooklyn starter Tyler Stuart, Binghamton infielders Jose Peroza and Matt Rudick, and Brooklyn’s outfielder Stanley Consuegra.
Lastly, Binghamton’s Mike Vasil has moved away from the pack and is becoming the odds on favorite to be the next home grown starter on this team.
One thing worth pointing out after the homers by Vientos and Alvarez on Wednesday night... my guess is this will speed up the process of inviting Ronny Mauricio to join his buddies in Queens.
It has to now become obvious to the Mets brass that it is time to stop holding back the future.
Excellent as always and totally agree and can we stop using the "it's their defense that's holding them back" line Piazza was a good example and Pete more recently. If they are truly our top prospects PLAY THEM! Buck unfortunately has Terry Collins desease and he needs to get a shot for it and I heard a face mask sometimes works.
ReplyDeleteHave a feeling the Mets are trying to showcase some players for trades for middle relievers
DeleteBoy they are missing Holderman
DeleteGood synopsis. I tend to hype guys who do well, but to me it is remarkable that Matt Rudick got on 4 more times yesterday and is .311/.450/.536 in AA. I thought he’d do well…he’s been amazing. He really should be promoted pronto.
ReplyDeleteI like him a lot
DeleteHope you are right about Sanchez. I view him as one of the worst pickups ever.
ReplyDeleteCardinals and Contreras! Defense and game calling are important!! Gotta wonder about Sanchez.Yanks,Twins and Giants quit on him.As for DH,why not give Vientos a shot? Do th Mets suspect something about him? Why not give him 100 ABs as DH? Seems crazy to play him at third since they didn’t even play him much there at Syracuse.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteMack,
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it seem that Vogelbach and Pham are being showcased? Why else would you continue to play them over the rookies?
I'm also hoping Jose Peroza can be a UT infielder in majors.
ReplyDeleteParada has gotten hot lately and is on base pretty much every night with at least one hit or walk so I think he may heat up through the summer.
Utility infielder? Wow you guys don’t give him too much credit. Utility infielders are readily available,especially with 13 man pitching staffs and a DH on every team.
ReplyDeleteErnest, I would get Parada up to AA ASAP - Brooklyn is a tough place to hit. Why not challenge him against tougher pitching in an easier home park?
ReplyDeleteWoodrow, back in Seaver's day, 10 pitchers and 15 hitters. Now it is 13 and 13. Mets' roster right now has 13 pitchers, 13 hitters.
ReplyDeleteWhich frankly discriminates against hitters - they've lost 2 spots probably on most teams, 1 spot of some vs, 1969.
As such, I'd like to see a 28 man roster, if they are going to go with 13 pitchers. 15 hitters, 13 pitchers. That would allow teams to, for instance, keep around a Martin Perez as a # 3 catcher for his defense and not sent down Luis Guillorme, when he really is a major leaguer, if not a regular-caliber player. He could primarily be a defensive replacement and PH.
It is discrimination against borderline hitters, guys who would have been in the majors 50 years ago, but are in the minors now due to lack of roster room. Plain and simple.
27 should be the minimum roster size. I have been saying that for several years. If the players' association got their heads out of the game's stars' butts, they would fight for that.