Observations…
Many of you know how much time I have spent in the past on draft prospects. I don’t consider myself an expert. I’m a baseball writer who cuts and pastes what real draft experts say.
That being said, I have studied this process for years, both leading up to Draft Day, and for years later analyzing the results that developed from these picks.
I go into Draft Day One dealing with all prospects. I come out of those three days every year as a follower of Mets prospects.
I have been asked by some of you (Hi Eddie!) what would I do if I was the head of the Mets draft day operation. Well,the process really begins the day after the last draft. I would have access to all the draft reports done on the next class from my staff and the various experts from sites like MLB, BA, and Prospects Live. The outsiders are experts in this area and, in my world, I don’t have to pay them a buck for what they have determined after seeing these prospects play.
My field scouts would be in touch with both college and baseball coaches and make sure they were up to date with what players needed to be scouted. I would particularly ask those that were talking to high school coaches what were the name and school of the best players that particular team was going to play that season. An instant scouting report. Another great unpaid source of scouting.
So, let’s say everyone has done the right job leading up to the draft. Players have been scouted. Scouting reports were analyzed, with special attention given to the strength of the team that player was playing. And draft board were prepared electronically for both the overall ranked list of prospects me and my team determined, but also players by position which definitely come into play when I start drafting “filler” picks to fill position holes on my affiliate teams.
My plan then falls into categories.
Rounds 1-3 - I would concentrate my picks here on players that are in my top 100 picks available on my board, with the tie breaker going to key members of my inner circle. I’m not trying to be a hero here and find an unpolished diamond. No, I have learned over the years that your best chances in the first three rounds are the real guys of this draft. No picks by position. Best player available after internal discussion.
Rounds 4-5 - I’m staying with the status quo here, but I’m looking for prospects that were projected to be in the top 100 players to be picked and are still on the board. I also look for prospects that lost time in 2024 due to an injury… even up to TJS. Though I am always wary of TJS babies. Lastly, I look to my board and see what we have as the next best player.
Rounds 6-15 - I now begin a number of things…
- I might make a run on two or three of the highly rated prep players that sent the signs that they were going to college rather than sign. Big over-slot signing bonuses have worked here in the past.
- I continue to try and stay true to my board and who is left at the top.
- Positioning may come into play here. If my pipeline is weak in a certain position and I haven’t drafted anyone so far that plays that position, I may introduce a little drafting by position.
- Lastly, as each round passes I turn this process over to the people below me. They worked hard at this all season and individual scouts should get a say too. This is how the Mets drafted Nimmo.
Rounds 16 and beyond - I would turn this decision making over to those around me. Emphasis would be in filling the position holes in the affiliated. Additionally, I would emphasis finding someone that does one thing above the norm. Let’s say a pitcher with huge velo but lack of control. The pitching lab could come into play here and make him into a better ballplayer.
Post draft - look around at who went undrafted and decide if any of them should be invited to camp. Then, take the staff for a big steak and give the bill to Steve.
Roster moves -
Binghamton -
C Jose Hernandez transferred from Low-A to AA Binghamton
C Kevin Parada placed on the 7-day IL
Binghamton Rumble Ponies @RumblePoniesBB
Rumble Ponies OF Matt Rudick is currently on an 11-game on-base streak and is tied for second in the EL with 32 total walks this season.
Brooklyn Cyclones @BKCyclones
Chris Suero against the IronBirds this week:
.438 (7-16)
7 Runs Scored
1 Double
3 Home Runs
11 RBI
2 Epic Bat Flips
Evan Stockton @evstockton
A classic Luisangel Acuña inning in last night’s Syracuse Mets game
-107 mph RBI single off the top Twins pitching prospect.
-Up to second on a groundout.
-Steal third after annoying the pitcher with a big lead.
-Score on a groundout.
The 22-year-old is instant offense.
(right now, I can’t see how this dude isn’t part of the 2025 26)
Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo
For those noting that much of the damage this inning came after Starling Marte failed to catch this Edmundo Sosa two-out single…
Marte entered today ranked last among qualified MLB outfielders in Outs Above Average, with -8. He was 261st out of 263 players at any position.
(stats like these are not going to help selling Starling off this season)
7 comments:
Great draft approach. Mack, I would add that I want guys drafted who all have major league potential, which means they may have some big flaws in their game currently, but also have grade 60 to 70 tools in their arsenal.
There was a good guy drafted about a dozen years ago, tall and fast, with a great outfield arm, who struck out 170 times in a little over 1000 played appearances in college and summer ball with just 23 homers. He then went on to have 57 homers in 1532 plate. Appearances in the minors and struck out another 380 times. His name? Aaron Judge.
The Mets went with the safe pick in Dom Smith that year because of his sweet swing, the Mets a lot of other teams passed on Judge. And they all passed on a franchise changer. The Yankees value big power, took a risk, and are now reaping extreme benefits from it. Cars like judge may not happen often, but if you don’t draft them, they don’t happen at all.
Now is the time for Acuna to get hot, really hot. Try to force them at hand and get called up this year. And, oh I swear, that Chris Suero could be the Mets future back up catcher. He’s heading quite well this year and he gets on base a lot. What’s not to like?
Hitting, not heading.
Tom
There aren't 1500 people in the draft with that kind of hitting tool
And there were a lot of teams that missed on Judge
This article was not on player vs. player. Just procedure
Good points on both
Speaking of backup catchers, the Mets currently have two, who are both playing well and have no options remaining.
Alvy is due back imminently, so it seems that a decision must be made as soon as today. If one is DFA'd, I don't expect him to clear waivers and go to Syracuse.
I have an outside-the-box solution, if only to delay the decision:
DJ Stewart has been struggling, has no place to get ABs due to JDM claining the DH spot, and he HAS options.
I'd send him upstate to get regular ABs and hopefully rebound. This would allow the Mets to keep BOTH backups, at least until DJ or someone else is called up.
"Act in haste, repent at leisure". Take time to make the most prudent choice.
What say you?
Nah
Carry only 2 catchers
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