Tom Brennan - Mets Prospects List is in Total Upgrade Mode

THE PROSPECT SKIES OVER QUEENS ARE BEAMING BRIGHTLY

Well, the Mets have had some seemingly good prospects in 2023, to be sure, but simply too few, as the org’s overall significantly losing overall record in the minors attests to.

With the last week’s trades, that quantity issue has clearly changed. For the much better. The influx in talent this year via veteran trades got them a new # 2, 4, 6, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 25, and another very young SSguy likely to be in the top 30 by next year, perhaps before he turns 18. Which also means 8 guys who were in the Mets’ top 30 have been bumped out of it by the talent influx. They are now in the lower echelon of the Mets Top 40.

Let’s run the 9 new guys through…

Luisangel Acuna, Ronald’s little brother. Acuna Jr Jr is aged 21, came in the Max deal, and was hitting .315 in AA with over 40 steals, and is a fine fielder to (not) boot.. He goes straight to being the Mets’ # 2 prospect, ahead of Ronny Mauricio and Jett Williams. My guess is he will be a starting Mets infielder by mid-2024.

Verlander was hot of late, and hence very attractive, and as a result, the Mets garnered much booty:

Houston’s # 1 prospect, 22-year-old OF Drew Gilbert (their first rounder in 2022) and their high A lefty slugging # 4 prospect, OF Ryan Clifford (18 HRs this year already).

Gilbert, described as a well-rounded CF,.was having a .274/.363/.458 season mostly in AA in his first full season. Gilbert, in my estimation, will be a starting Mets outfielder by mid 2024, Clifford by mid 2025.

They are the new Mets 4th and 6th prospects.

Marco Vargas is another infielder at age 18 whose bat is exciting folks. Brought in for David Robertson. Immediately ranked the Mets’ # 7 guy…now the # 9 guy after adding Gilbert and Clifford. Must be real, real good to be ranked so high at age 18. He is expected to have 55 power, he was hitting a shade under .300 this year in FCL league ball. Seems like a 2026 guy. His first 3 FCL games for the Mets, he got on base 6 times.

Coleman Crow, a righty in AA who was cooking until he got hurt in late April, with elbow issues that have had him out 3+ months, is slotted in at # 16. Came earlier this year in the Escobar deal. If healthy, a potential back-end rotation piece by 2025, maybe late 2024.

Ronald Hernandez, an 18 year old catcher with a .483 OBP in the FCL who came over in the Robertson deal, is ranked 21st. Future Alvarez back up?  Parada, keep in mind, is still the # 1 Mets prospect. Catching is STOCKED in Metsville.

Landon Marceaux also came over in the Escobar deal. A righty who stats-wise is not having a good 2023, but is nonetheless listed as the # 25 prospect. Perhaps a pen arm for the Mets?

And the Mets got a 23 year old righty, Justin Jarvis, in the Mark Canha deal. He was # 12 for the Brew Crew and having a decent season in AA. Recently struggling in his first 3 AAA outings. 102 Ks in 86 IP this year, and a 55 grade FB.  Must see something they like, as he is now the Mets’ #15 prospect in their suddenly stocked system.

For Tommy Pham, the Mets got just-turned-17 year old SS Jeremy Rodriguez from Arizona. Not in the top 30, but so young. Hitting .250 with some power and a good OPS.  Perhaps Lindor’s replacement in 5 years? He got a $1.25 million lion bonus when signed, and was ranked # 47 in international signings at that time.

For Dominic Leone, lastly, they got righty hitting OF Jeremiah Jackson, good power and speed and hitting .250 in AA. Ranked now as the Mets’ # 22 prospect.

The Mets’ top 30 prospect list does not even yet include the newly drafted Mets prospects!

It seems that after a few of them are added, the Top 30 will be very deep and very strong. Perhaps stronger than ever.

P.S. A few of the 2023 draftees just started playing.

As of Sunday, the 3 current prospects-turned-major-leaguers, Alvarez, Baty, and Vientos, have combined as 2023 Mets to have 576 at bats, 20 doubles, 29 HRs, and 74 RBIs. What on earth will they do, all broken in, in 2024? At least we all know one thing…Alvarez is friggin’ good and most likely will be great. The other two, with no Canha and Pham competing for ABs, will get ample at bat opportunities, and perhaps # 3 Ronny Mauricio, too, if they call him up.

Tumultuous times.

My guess is the Mets are overstocked now, and hence in a position to use some of their prospects to acquire talent at the right time, perhaps this off-season.

Two ugly losses to the 1962 KC Mets. The Mets prospect, Brett Baty, is six for his last 41 dropping him to .225. Don’t be too hard on him though; on Wednesday night, Alonzo and Lindor went 0 for eight and they’re combined hitting .225. Also, did you notice that Ronny Mauricio wasn’t called up - they did play Mendick, Ortega, and Arauz, however. 

Which means that prospect Mauricio just isn’t ready, as much as we want him to be.  Vientos has shown some signs of offensive life, but he is hitting…well, like Baty.

Gosh, I hope Vientos, Baty, and Mauricio turn out to be for real. Or we will end up with an extraordinary draft slot.

VASIL LAST NIGHT:

In 3.1 innings for Syracuse, 7 Ks (yay), 4 BB, 3 H, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 4 runs (ugh). Not ready to replace Verlander yet. Zoolander, maybe.