MACK - MY Sunday Observations - Draft Picks Updated Sign List, Chris Suero, Top 10 NYC, Mets Youth, Draft Grades, Peyton Prescott, Ryan Helsley, Adolis Garcia, Ryan McMahon, Jake Bird,

 

Daniel Wexler                           @WexlerRules

Draft Picks Updated:

1st- Signed

3rd-Signed

4th-Signing

5th- Signed

6th Signed

7th TBD

8th Signed

9th Signed

10th Signed

11th Signing

12th Signed

13th TBD

14th not signing

15th TBD

16th Signed

17th Signed

18th TBD

19th TBD

20th TBD

+ 5 signed UDFA's

Chase Ford                 @_chaseford

The New York Mets are promoting C Chris Suero to Binghamton (Double-A).

Suero had a .837 OPS with 25 extra-base hits and 51 RBI for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

A deep dive…

Chris Suero is a 21-year-old catcher and versatile prospect in the New York Mets organization, recognized for his unique blend of power, speed, and athleticism.

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Suero grew up in the Sedgwick Houses, a housing project in the University Heights neighborhood. His journey to professional baseball was marked by challenges, including limited interest from major league teams, leading to a modest $10,000 signing bonus with the Mets, far below the typical bonuses for top prospects. Additionally, Suero faced personal adversity with the loss of his sister in a car accident two years ago, which he says accelerated his maturity.

Career Highlights and Performance

2025 Season Performance:

Suero had a breakout season with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones, posting a .837 OPS, 13 home runs, 11 doubles, a triple, and 51 RBIs across 74 games. Notably, he stole 25 bases, an exceptional feat for a catcher, showcasing his rare athleticism. His 150 wRC+ in High-A reflects his offensive prowess, rare for a young catcher.

Versatility:

While primarily a catcher, Suero is athletic enough to play first base and the outfield, drawing comparisons to Blue Jays slugger Daulton Varsho. This flexibility enhances his value as a prospect.

Notable Moments:

Suero hit a three-run home run in June 2025, helping the Cyclones secure a postseason berth with a 6-4 win. He also started the 2025 season strongly, with a 1.357 OPS in April, including five doubles and five home runs in just 31 at-bats.

Playing Style and Potential

Suero’s combination of power, patience at the plate, and elite speed for a catcher makes him a standout. His ability to play multiple positions and his defensive competence behind the plate, despite being relatively new to catching, add to his appeal. Brooklyn manager Gilbert Gomez has praised Suero’s leadership traits, and his performance has earned him recognition as a legitimate prospect with potential to reach the majors.

Mets’ Catching Depth

With Francisco Alvarez as the Mets’ primary catcher (currently in Triple-A to refine depth at the position. His development could lead to a future role as a backup, designated hitter, or even a trade asset, given his versatility and offensive output.

Outlook

Suero’s rapid rise through the Mets’ minor league system, combined with his unique skill set, positions him as a prospect to watch. While he’s still a few steps from the majors, his performance in Double-A will be critical in determining whether he can continue to climb the ranks and potentially contribute to the Mets’ future, possibly as early as 2026 or 2027. His story of perseverance, from a low signing bonus to a promising prospect, makes him a compelling figure in the Mets’ farm system.

Right now, I have more confidence in Suero than I do in Alvarez. Still, he is, at least, a year away. Let him have some fun in Binghamton for the rest of this season. Their regular catcher, Kevin Parada, has been red hot this month (.340 since mid-May), so I expect him to be sent to Syracuse as soon as Alvarez returns to Queens. The talent level from the catcher position is rising again.

 

SNY                @SNYtv

And now, we present SNY's Top 10 New York Athletes 

Right Now

Can the Mets’ youth be trusted?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493419/2025/07/16/mets-second-half-trade-deadline/

Carlos Mendoza’s lineup includes four names in permanent marker: Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. The other five spots are a constant jumble, in part because of the young, relatively unproven options trying to show they’re worth regular playing time. Whether the Mets need to add another offensive piece hinges on how they feel about the quintet of Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña. Put bluntly, how many of them can occupy regular spots in a championship lineup?

Vientos can play third, Baty can play second and third, Mauricio can play second, third and short, and Acuña can play second, third, short and center field. How you view any of that group depends on how far back you can remember. Mauricio looks the best right now. Baty looked the best in May. Acuña looked the best in April. Vientos looked the best throughout a breakthrough 2024 season. If the Mets feel they can devote two everyday spots to that group of four, through platoons or riding hot streaks, then they probably don’t need to go outside the organization to acquire another bat. If they’re unsure, they can snag one more infield piece for insurance. If they doubt that group, it’s time to acquire an established starter on the infield or in center.

Alvarez’s status is more isolated because of the inherent lack of defensive flexibility. He’s basically fighting to win back at least a share of his job from Luis Torrens. However, the Mets’ overall evaluation of their offense needs to account for what they’ll get out of the catcher position. To this point, they’re tied for 23rd in baseball in offensive production out of their catchers.

Nate Rasmussen                      @RasmussenBase

Here you go, my initial 2025 MLB Draft grades

 

Here are our favorite picks from the Draft

https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-draft-favorite-picks-pipeline?partnerID=web_article-share

Mets: Peyton Prescott, RHP (fifth round)

A Draft-eligible sophomore, Prescott moved from Jacksonville to Florida State and struck out 46 in 36 2/3 innings out of the Seminoles' bullpen. He showed a triple-digit heater and got whiffs on a mid-80s slider, but he needed Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow in Super Regional play. The stuff is good though, and if he can get back to showing it after rehabbing with the Mets, he has upside as a high-leverage relief arm.

        (psst… my favorite that was still on the board…

                        Marlins: Cam Cannarella, OF (supplemental first round)

Cannarella looked like a slam-dunk Top 10 pick as a Clemson freshman before being hampered by a torn labrum in his right shoulder and the after effects of surgery the next two seasons, so this could be a steal. He still showcased some of the best hitting ability and center-field defense in the college ranks, and he has the plus speed to steal bases despite not running much the last two years.)

Top 40 players on market as July 31 approaches

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5591079/2025/07/09/mlb-trade-deadline-big-board-players-postseason-2/

#25                 Ryan Helsley

Age                30

Position       RHRP

Fits                 SEA, TEX, TOR

Deal likelihood

Value: Closer with strong track record

Analysis: Helsley figured to be one of the big fish available at the deadline — at least until the Cardinals perched themselves firmly in the postseason picture in the NL. St. Louis said recently it doesn’t intend to deal from its bullpen, but it will re-assess throughout July. A closer who’s received down-ballot Cy Young votes in two of the last three seasons, Helsley hasn’t been as sharp in 2025, with five blown saves. Unlike some other Cardinals, he’d be a pure rental.

Owed in 2025             $2.6 million

Controlled through  2025

 

#26                 Adolis Garcia

Age                32

Position       OF

B/T                 R/R

Fits                 CIN, KC, PHI

Deal likelihood

Value: Right-handed power hitter

Analysis: Garcia is a below-average hitter for the second straight season, and at 32 years old, it’s possible his middle-of-the-order days are over. But the two-time All-Star still has big power and remains an excellent defensive outfielder with a great arm.

Memories of his amazing 2023 postseason run could convince some teams to bet on there being gas left in the tank. And if Garcia gets back on track in the second half, his new club would have him under 2026 control via arbitration.

Owed in 2025             $2.9 million

Controlled through 2026

 

#27                 Ryan McMahon

Age                30

Position       3B

B/T                 L/R

Fits                 CHC, LAA, MIL

Deal likelihood

Value: Excellent defender at the hot corner

Analysis: So we’re gonna go out on a limb and suggest maybe, maybe, the Rockies should sell at this deadline. Part of Colorado’s current malaise owes to front office inactivity at prior deadlines, and McMahon might be its best piece to dangle this time around. By now, McMahon is who he is as a hitter, striking out too much and producing at a level just below league average. But he’s an outstanding defender and the kind of complementary piece that could help a contender into October.

Owed in 2025             $3.8 million

Controlled through 2027

 

#28                 Jake Bird

Age                29

Position       RRHP

Fits                 ARI, BOS, TOR

Deal likelihood

Value: Reliever excelling for bad team

Analysis:      It’s too bad the rest of the roster is what it is, because Colorado’s bullpen isn’t half-bad. And Bird’s been the best of that group, with a strikeout rate near 30 percent and a ground-ball rate just under 50 percent. His park-adjusted FIP is in line with that of Emmanuel Clase. Bird’s slider against righties and curveball against lefties are each effective, rendering him platoon-neutral. He’s not even in arbitration yet, so an acquiring team would control him through 2028.

Owed in 2025             $244K

Controlled through 2028