In the high stakes shuffle that occurred at the trade deadline, the New York Mets exchanged some well known (and well paid) veteran players for a bunch of prospects. The justification from the leadership team was that a berth in the playoffs and a deep run to the world series was a very low probability event, so this was the time to re-stock the minors. Most of the analysis that followed felt it was a wise decision, given the way the team was underperforming and the quality of the players obtained.
Amongst those players obtained, several have found themselves on the roster of the Mets’ AA franchise, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. So the primary point for evaluation of the Mets’ future is now square on Mirabito Stadium. Let’s take a look at the latest roster:
Pitchers (15) – There are currently fifteen pitchers on the roster, none of whom were acquired this year from the aforementioned trades. However, there are some noteworthy arms that have been working their way up through the system. Five of those arms are currently in the top 30 prospects in the Mets’ system: Blade Tidwell (8), Dominic Hamel (10), Tyler Stewart (16), Junior Santos (25), and Christian Scott (29).
Infielders (6) – The infield boasts two of the new prospects, Luisangel Acuna from the Scherzer trade and Jeremiah Jackson from the Dominic Leone trade. Acuna is the second rated prospect in the Mets’ system and Jackson is rated 23rd. The infield also includes a 2022 rule 5 acquisition from Colorado, Mateo Gil, and 2021 fourth round draft pick JT Schwartz who leads the team in batting and has been raking lately since his return from the injured list.
Outfielders (4) – Drew Gilbert headlines this cast as the fourth ranked Mets prospect, newly appointed to the list after he joined the organization in the trade for Justin Verlander. Speedy Rowdey Jordan, powerful Jaylen Palmer, and 2022 Rule 5 pick from San Diego Augustin Ruiz fill out the roster.
The new acquisitions, along with the pitching prospects and some of the everyday players from the Rumble Ponies have suddenly made this a formidable AA team. They have some speed, much better hitting, and some arms that are capable of shutting down opponents on any night. The Ponies beat the Somerset Patriots 9-7 with an offensive outburst in the series opener at TD Bank Ballpark Tuesday night. Binghamton has now won 10 of their last 13 games.
In my opinion, this is the team to watch in the Mets minor league system. They are stocked with some exciting new players who are expected to climb the ladder of success. Who and how fast they do so is yet to be determined but it will be fun to watch. Find a date on their schedule that you are available to watch and see what these guys can do!
15 comments:
You are correct that this team has the most pure talent in the chain
Especially the rotation
I hope 2 of these develop as a rotation starter by 2026
Rudick has been rehabbing. He should be just about ready and maybe he goes straight to AAA. If he returns to Binghamton and replaces Jaylen Palmer in the line up, that will be some darned line up. Rudick led AA in OBP pre-injury.
Palmer meanwhile is 12 for 84 in AA, with 43 Ks. He was hardly better in Brooklyn pre-promotion. Time for him to follow Quinn Brodey into retirement, who was a much better hitter before he realized he was far from good enough, tried pitching, and couldn’t cut it.
Baseball players cannot fan 135 times in 282 official at bats, as Palmer has this year. Time to go.
Mack, I hope 2 of them are ready for the Mets this time next year, not 2026, but I am almost always the pitching optimist.
The Mets may rush some of these but I hope they just promote Vasil on OD 2024
MY 2026 projection was a misprint
Should have been 2025
Target for fast tracking
Tyler Stuart
Hay,there overe 500,there the prize jewel of the farm system!
They are on a .769 pace in the last 13 games, which encompasses the call-ups. Now is the time to see these guys play. And as Tom points out, if Rudick comes back into the AA lineup, they have a very strong batting order.
Too bad about Palmer. He is physically imposing, but needs to get bat on ball to take advantage of his power. Given the way the entire MLB team is hitting, it may be time to take a hard look at the batting instruction throughout the organization.
Oddly, his twin strikeout machine from prior years, Sherveyn Newton, was horrific in April and May with his new franchise, but 22 for 90 (.245) with just a K a game in High A in 27 July/August games. Not great, but much, much improved. Wonder what changed?
MightyMatt Rudick has been reassigned to the Rumble Ponies for tonight, after a short rehab following a 6 week unspecified injury. Offense in high gear.
I'm still puzzled though that Nimmo got 8 years for 162 mil. Uncle Stevie may have to dig a little deeper into his cash box for another buy out. Love that he's a stand up guy and goes full speed all the time but 8 for 162 hmmm no.
See what I mean?
A year ago, the Mets started to dive somewhat, no goggles on. We had very little optimism coming from AAA call-up possibilities.
That's all changed now.
Every Mets fan is closely following both the AAA Syracuse Mets and the AA Rumble Ponies.
Syracuse Mets in their loss yesterday:
3B Ronnie Mauricio had two hits and is starting to like playing third base. He is naturally an infielder. And starter Blade Tidwell pitched very well for the win.
Rumble Ponies in their win yesterday:
3B Ronnie Mauricio had two hits today. Blade Tidwell pitched very well for the win and is now 1-1. He had 7 KO's in 7 innings, and now has a 3.86 ERA .
There are the adjustments.
1. The adjustment from the level you played at before, to this new level.
2. Changing positions from the outfield to the infield or visa versa.
It's all a matter of each player's time needed to complete their adjustment. Each player is different.
A few Thoughts
1. I don't rush any starting pitchers up to the bigs. Their play and even sometimes body positioning confidence will inform you when they are ready. We are looking at four to six starters now in the MiLB system who have big league potential written all over them. Don't rush them. you'll know when they are ready by their stats and their look on the mound.
2. Some other blog wrote that Matt Chapman on the Blue Jays would make a nice signing by these NY Mets for 2024 third base. I studied his stats. To me he is slightly better than average (maybe), 31 years old next April, and has a career .243 BA and strikes out a lot. Q: Can I have that writer's job because he is obviously not doing enough homework, and must be watching a lot of movies from this home remote job perhaps.
3. Question for everyone to ponder maybe... John Olerud
John never had more than 22 homeruns in a single season, and played for 17 seasons (even here as a NY Met for 3). He had a career BA of .295.
Q: Now say John and Pete Alonso played at the same time and era. Which would you prefer having here on this NY Mets team in 2024?
They are two different types of first basemen offensively. But this JT Schwartz MiLB Met is starting to look like (to me) another possible John Olerud type first baseman. It's possible.
Just wanted to hear what you think on the Olerud versus Alonso comparison for this reason.
JT is hitting .306 BA in 157 AB, and with a .377 OBP, 2 HR, and 2 stolen bases.
Mets versus the Braves
Can you say S-P-O-I-L-E-R-S!
LGM!
Olerud best Met who most never heard of and of course after 3 great years with us we made him and offer he could refuse and did and we ended up with Zeile. One of many terrible decisions. Also Todd wasn't half the fielder John was and your left wondering if he would have made a difference in the 2000 WS.
I agree with your Olerud comment. JT Schwartz has a very smooth, effortless swing just like John O. Not yet ready to displace Pete at the MLB level, but a great young player to build depth with. Who knows what the future will bring.
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