Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 21-25

#21: - SP Darin Gorski – I have to recognize the results this year, even though I haven’t completely signed off on this guy yet. I had the privilege of watching him pitch during the 2010 season and I have to tell ya… there just wasn’t much there. Then 2011 comes, he’s now throwing 92-93 and no one in the FSL can hit him. I want to a half a season at Binghamton before I add him to the futre Mets rotation list, but I still need to rank him this high for what’s going on right now. ETA: 2014 bullpen

#22: - SP Chris Schwinden – Anyone that has had the privilege of covering the Mets minor league system is very proud of what Chris has done this season. Every organization has a bunch of pitchers that peak at 91-92, sit in the high 80s, and rely on mixing their pitchers. Their go to pitch is usually not the fastball and many never get the opportunity to join a big league rotation. Like Dillon Gee, Chris relies on his pitching intelligence which made him an all-star this season in the AAA. That’s a big deal, folks. Where does he go? Well, it depends on the rehabbing of Johan Santana, the iffy return of Mike Pelfrey, and the possible resigning of Chris Young. His worst case… he will anchor Buffalo come spring.

#23: - SP Luis Mateo – Another new name to remember. The Mets signed Mateo in the off-season after a bout with bone chips and age amnesia. Now 21-years old instead of 19, he’s dominating a level he should have been far past: He’s sitting at 95 this year and he should jump a couple of levels next year as a 22-yr. old. See, that’s how it works, Luis. You’re a certain age one year and then a year later, you add one more. I’ve got him going to Brooklyn.

#24: - OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis – David Rubin continues to bust my banana over the lack of respect I give Captain Kirk. Look, I gave the same amount of skepticism to Lucas Duda because I just didn’t see either of these guys projected as a starting outfield in the majors. I love Kirk’s bat almost as much as I love Duda’s swing, but he simply needs more time to cut down on his strikeouts and work on his defense. Now, with injury, and right field being given to Lucas, you have to wonder if Nieuwenhuis will ever be given that chance. He’ll play Buffalo again in 2012 with a definite September call-up. ETA: 4th outfielder in 2013.




photo by Allan Greene

 #25: - SP Akeel Morris – Okay, this is one we may be talking an awful lot about in the next 24 months. Morris has all the tools needed to be a mid-to-top starter in the pros. All that’s needed here is time, training, and health. He’s still only 18-years old but his tools alone have him 56-Ks in 46.1-IP. There’s also 32-BB so there is room for improvement. The Mets will take their time with this raw product; however, he has spent two seasons stateside, so I expect him to start in Savannah next spring.


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (4) –SP Chris Schwinden, 2B Reese Havens, SS Jordany Valdespin, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis


Binghamton: (7) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, 3B Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (5) – RP Cory Mazzoni, 1B Wilmer Flores, 3B Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez


Savannah: (1) – SP Akeel Morris,


Brooklyn: (4) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, SS Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (2) – SP Luis Mateo, OF Vincente Lupo


***This is the end of MY top 25 Mets prospects… I will be marking them in red. The next 25 will be highlighted in blue.