Tom Brennan - METS PROSPECTS # 21 THRU # 25
In the first 4 in this series of 10 articles on the Mets Top 50 prospects, I explained why I felt Messrs. Alonso, Gimenez, Peterson, Mauricio, Kay, Vientos, Szapucki, Lindsay, Alvarez, Richardson, Kilome, Hernandez, Nido, Valdez, Humphreys, Newton, Toffey, Sanchez, Dibrell, and Santos were my indisputable #1 thru # 20, respectively.
Simply indisputable. Because they're incredible.
Even my Mom agrees - and she's 91, so don't argue with her.
Today, I move on to the indisputable # 21 thru # 25 dudes.
Of course, the exciting Ross Adolph was my # 21, and catcher Scott Manea was my # 24, but both were traded in the the J D Davis deal, along with the guy I had pre-trade at # 15, Luis Santana, so others move up the list.
Of course, the exciting Ross Adolph was my # 21, and catcher Scott Manea was my # 24, but both were traded in the the J D Davis deal, along with the guy I had pre-trade at # 15, Luis Santana, so others move up the list.
# 21 GAVIN CECCHINI IF
Guess who??
Gavin has the curse of being a first rounder when he should not have been. Perhaps he should have been a third rounder - no one vilifies a third rounder if they fall short of stardom.
Gavin has the curse of being a first rounder when he should not have been. Perhaps he should have been a third rounder - no one vilifies a third rounder if they fall short of stardom.
That first round nod is on the Mets - he did not self-select.
Let's look back, as he enters his 8th season as a pro.
He really hit well in 2016, but fielded poorly; in 2017, he hit pretty poorly, but fielded adequately; and in 2018, he was hurt most of the year. When he returned for a game of rehab in St Lucie in August, the next 5 games were rained out. No luck. His major league cameos have been unimpressive (.217 in close to 100 ABs).
He really hit well in 2016, but fielded poorly; in 2017, he hit pretty poorly, but fielded adequately; and in 2018, he was hurt most of the year. When he returned for a game of rehab in St Lucie in August, the next 5 games were rained out. No luck. His major league cameos have been unimpressive (.217 in close to 100 ABs).
Does he get despondent, or does he become respondent? Let's see what 2019 has in store for Check-eeny. If he responds, maybe he should have had Nido's # 13 slot, and Nido should have had Cecchini's # 23.
His fellow first rounder, Brandon Nimmo, for the longest time, seemed to be a disappointment, too, but he sure proved EVERYONE wrong in 2018, as his God-given talent blossomed.
Can Gavin be Nimmo II? One can hope. We'll see.
Can Gavin be Nimmo II? One can hope. We'll see.
# 22 PAT MAZEIKA C
Pat Mazeika in 2018 was like Gavin Cecchini in 2017, where Pat's catching defense solidified but his bat disappeared until late in the season, after being a .300+ hitter in his pre-2018 career.
He has, unlike Cecchini, a great competitive advantage in being a rare left handed hitting catcher, however.
For the season in AA, Patty Maz hit an underwhelming .231/.328/.363, but he sprung out of his hitting coma in a huge way in August and September.
In 19 games in that span, .353/.425/.538, with just TWO K's in 73 plate appearances. That sort of bat wizardry sure seems like it could play in the big leagues in the not too distant future.
Defensively, Maz threw out 28 of 88 runners (a decent 32%) in 2018.
As a bonus, in 25 games at first base as a pro, ZERO errors.
2019 is a huge opportunity for his bat to blossom as it did in late 2018, and make people forget his first 4 months of 2018. If it does, he could be in the majors at some point this season, and if not, in 2020.
He has, unlike Cecchini, a great competitive advantage in being a rare left handed hitting catcher, however.
For the season in AA, Patty Maz hit an underwhelming .231/.328/.363, but he sprung out of his hitting coma in a huge way in August and September.
In 19 games in that span, .353/.425/.538, with just TWO K's in 73 plate appearances. That sort of bat wizardry sure seems like it could play in the big leagues in the not too distant future.
Defensively, Maz threw out 28 of 88 runners (a decent 32%) in 2018.
As a bonus, in 25 games at first base as a pro, ZERO errors.
2019 is a huge opportunity for his bat to blossom as it did in late 2018, and make people forget his first 4 months of 2018. If it does, he could be in the majors at some point this season, and if not, in 2020.
# 23 MATT WINAKER OF
Matt's first two seasons following his 5th round selection in 2017 were quite solid, if falling short of sensational.
In 2018 for Columbia in A ball, in his first full season, his offensive split was .254/.370/.433. Good, but quite encouraging is that with the bases empty, he hit just .220/.332/.380; he therefore was (without recalculating it exactly) roughly .280/.400/.475 with men on base, which is what we want. Clutch dudes.
And he has fanned only about once every 6 PAs, which is (not to over-use the word) encouraging.
Encouraging also for him was his killer August, in which he went .319/.418/.648, with 7 homers and 22 RBIs in 26 games. He put the Win back in Winaker that month.
Now, all the 6'1", 200 lefthanded hitter and thrower has to do is make every month August!
He was slightly better against righties, but not by much except for better power, and had only 4 of 7 steals in 2018.
But his 7 triples in 121 games indicate he is not a slow poke. Just two career errors, along with 6 assists, in 98 OF games makes one smile, and he also has gotten in 31 games at 1B.
Why can't the just-turned 23 year old be a good major league outfielder in a few years? Especially if he can focus well enough to hit as well with the bases empty as when there are men on base?
In 2018 for Columbia in A ball, in his first full season, his offensive split was .254/.370/.433. Good, but quite encouraging is that with the bases empty, he hit just .220/.332/.380; he therefore was (without recalculating it exactly) roughly .280/.400/.475 with men on base, which is what we want. Clutch dudes.
And he has fanned only about once every 6 PAs, which is (not to over-use the word) encouraging.
Encouraging also for him was his killer August, in which he went .319/.418/.648, with 7 homers and 22 RBIs in 26 games. He put the Win back in Winaker that month.
Now, all the 6'1", 200 lefthanded hitter and thrower has to do is make every month August!
He was slightly better against righties, but not by much except for better power, and had only 4 of 7 steals in 2018.
But his 7 triples in 121 games indicate he is not a slow poke. Just two career errors, along with 6 assists, in 98 OF games makes one smile, and he also has gotten in 31 games at 1B.
Why can't the just-turned 23 year old be a good major league outfielder in a few years? Especially if he can focus well enough to hit as well with the bases empty as when there are men on base?
# 24 MICHAEL PAEZ IF
Mr. Paez, a short at 5'8" 2B/3B, but with some pop, had a solid year with St Lucie, hitting .270/.340/.404 on a team that hit very little hitting support around him.
His 87 extra base hits in his career in under 1,200 at bats is what I imagine was expected of him when drafted in the 4th round in 2016.
The 24 year old also makes good contact, with just 79 Ks in 468 PAs in 2018.
He needs, however, for the ball to make more contact with his and the first baseman's mitts. His 22 errors in 119 games in the field will not get him to the big leagues.
Overall, he feels to me kinda like a Danny Muno-caliber guy. Can he play better than Danny, and also spend more than Danny did in the big leagues? Time will tell.
His 87 extra base hits in his career in under 1,200 at bats is what I imagine was expected of him when drafted in the 4th round in 2016.
The 24 year old also makes good contact, with just 79 Ks in 468 PAs in 2018.
He needs, however, for the ball to make more contact with his and the first baseman's mitts. His 22 errors in 119 games in the field will not get him to the big leagues.
Overall, he feels to me kinda like a Danny Muno-caliber guy. Can he play better than Danny, and also spend more than Danny did in the big leagues? Time will tell.
# 25 JAISON VILERA RHSP
Jaison is not a fireballer, as I understand it, but nonetheless had one a heck of season for Brooklyn in 2018 - the best starter in the NYPL, in fact: 5-2, 1.83, 78 Ks in 74 IP.
What can he do for an encore in 2019 in full season ball?
What can he do for an encore in 2019 in full season ball?
Hopefully a repeat of excellence. I see him starting in 2019 in Columbia A ball.
The Top 25 indisputable Mets prospects are now in the books.
Next up in a few short days? # 26 thru # 30.
5 comments:
The pickings are starting to get slim. Mazeika is somewhat encouraging and Vilera may have a bright future, but the others, meh!
Reese, I agree, except for Winaker - this is his year to show if he has the goods, or doesn't, as he gets above Full A up to High A.
Another .250-ish year from him and I will add him to the "meh" column.
One thing is clear: he ain't Mike Trout.
Interesting list, Tom.
I wonder if Gavin will survive moving forward since he has been in the system for a bit, he is NOT one of BVW's picks, we have middle infield depth behind him AND we just picked up some utility types in the recent flurry of trades.
I would like to see him grab ahold of the middle infield bench spot on the major league roster, but I am skeptical.
I also think players like Mazeika and Winaker made the outgoing players in last weekends deals more palatable, perhaps?
Dont understand why Cheech is still on these lists. What is he, 42yrs old?
I love Valera
Cheech is 42 in doggie yrs. I only have him this high because he might make a last stand and show he can do it.
Hold a gun to my head (rhetorically) and I think he is being passed by.
He plays 2019 as at age 25. One gets old fast in baseball.
Mike, I think Pat Mazeika could be this season's Jeff McNeil. Again, look at his stretch run in 2018 - impressive.
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