Building 2012 Rosters Prospects First - Picks 61-65:

One observation at this point. We’re not used to talking about players with this much talent and only being in the lower 60 range of prospects in the system. That is a very good sign.

61 – RP Rhiner Cruz – I go back with Cruz to 2009 when he dominated the Sally League as a closer. He’s been okay since, but simply hasn’t stood out like I thought he would. 2012 will be his secenth year in the organization, and I expect it to be his last unless he turns it on post haste. My guess he starts and end the season in Buffalo. ETA: AAAA

photo by Alan Greene

62 – C Albert Cordero – Cordero’s the kind of player that I call an “almost prospect”. He’s talented enough to stand out with his minor league peers, but you constantly question whether he has what it takes to play every day in Queens. He is leading the team in hitting (.286), but has 17-errors on the season. It really doesn’t matter how well he hits… he’s never getting to Queens unless he learns to catch. ETA: AAAA

63 – SP Armondo Rodriguez – Here’s another of those A/A+ guys that seem to breeze their way through these levels only to be hit in the face with a board called AA. He’s had a good season with St. Lucie (4-4, 3.42, 15-starts) and has struck out 72 batters in 71 innings. There will absolutely no pressure on him next spring with Binghamton, being the SP5 behind Harvey, Wheeler, Familia, and Gorski. It’s what comes next that is puzzling. ETA: Mets bullpen 2014

64 – SS/2B Robbie Shields – Shields would be ranked much higher if he could manage to remain healthy. He was a ig time second round draft pick that has let a lot of kids pass him by. Shortstop is far too crowded and second base pretty much is spoken for also, so there really isn’t anywhere left for Shields to go. He’ll re-start in St. Lucie in the spring and could be bumped to Binghamton if either Rylan Sandoval or Wilfredo Tovar stumble. ETA: sadly, AAAA

65 - RP Nick Carr – So much talent and so little progress. Boy, did I love this guy. I thought he was the Mets closer of the future, but he’s another of the that just can’t stay healthy. He did manage to get in 22-outings this year for Lucy (3-0, 2.40, 34-K, 30.0-IP), but he’ll be 26 next spring and you just seem to wait around waiting for his next DL stint. Healthy, still one of the top 5 ceiling guys in the system. ETA: depends on health; potential Mets closer 2015


Rosters So Far:


Buffalo: (15) –SP Chris Schwinden, Collin McHugh, Brandon Moore, RP Robert Carson, Rhiner Cruz, Eric Beaulac, Jose De La Torre, IF Alan Dykstra, Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Zach Lutz, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagarus


Binghamton: (13) – SP: Mike Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, Darin Gorski, Armondo Rodriguez, RP Jeff Kaplan, Nick Carr, Josh Edgin, Brad Holt, IF Juan Centeno, Jefry Marte, OF Matt den Dekker, Cesar Puello


St. Lucie: (16) – SP Greg Peavey, Taylor Whitenton, Angel Cuan, Tyler Pill, Ryan Fraser, RP Hamilton Bennett, Cory Mazzoni, Jack Leathersich, Chase Huchingson, IF Albert Cordero, Wilmer Flores, Robbie Shields, Aderlin Rodriguez, OF Cory Vaughn, Gilbert Gomez, Darrell Cecilliani


Savannah: (7) – SP Akeel Morris, Alex Panteliodis, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, Marcos Camerena, RP T.J. Chism, IF Cam Maron


Brooklyn: (5) – SP: Michael Fulmer, Juan Urbina, Domingo Tapia, IF Phillip Evans, OF: Brandon Nimmo


Kingsport: (5) – SP Luis Mateo, Christian Montgomery, Steve Matz, OF Vincente Lupo, Eudy Pena


GCL: (0) –


DSL: (1) – IF Elvis Sanchez,