Mack - A Sign of Life At The Lower Levels

Okay...

Last week I wrote about how bad this team is. I especially targeted that claim on the lack of talent in the three upper level affiliates. 

This column is different.

This column takes a look at the last domestic and International draft, plus the players currently playing on short-season teams. 

There are things to get excited about here.

The first are the International 16-year olds that were signed in the 2018/2019 IFA draft. One uber prospect that is playing right now for the DSL-1 team, is 17-year old Freddy Valdez. The Mets gve him a $1.45mil bonus to sign and he's holding his own in his first professional season.

The other two that came out of the same draft as Valdez (last June) were both catchers. One, Francisco Alvarez, was paid a record $2.7mil bonus by the Mets. He still is developing in came and probably won't be assigned to a DSL team until next season.

The other is Fernando Villalobos, who was a holdout for more money. Reports are that the 'Boys From Boston', our new draft guys, put this together by upping the ante with money ($500K) they received from the Broxton deal.

My guess the signing bonus was in the $1.5mil range.

Villalobos was just assigned to the DSL-1 team so it's probably a good chance that we will see him play this season. The good thing is we finally have two red chip catchers in the organization and both can eventually start moving up the chain along side themselves for the two DSL teams.

Domestically, if reports are true, this may turn out to be the best draft I have ever seen since I started doing this is the early 2000s. The top three draft picks (3B Brett Baty (GCL), RHP Josh Wolf (still unassigned) and RHP, Matthew Allan represent three of the top 37 ranked prospects in the draft.


The addition of these three would instantly redefine the current GCL squad. You have two of the top five prep pitchers in this past draft and the best prep third baseman.

Next comes the soon to be signed CF Jake Magnum, out of Mississippi State. Yes, Jake is a senior, but he's also the real deal. He was mysteriously drafted only in the 32nd round a year ago, ironically also by the Mets. I have never understood why players chose to go back and play their senior year. It doesn't matter what you do. You are still going to be given a minimum signing bonus. 

The other thing is we drafted him last year as a pitcher. This year we picked him for his bat: .357/.415/.468, 1-HR, 71-R, 21-SB.

He is 23 and seasoned enough to start even in St. Lucie, but, my guess (especially after seeing how bad the bats are missing balls there so far this season) is he will open up in Brooklyn.

(stats through end Friday night)

Getting back to the DSL teams:

DSL-2 catcher, Jose Hernandez, is hitting 375/.531/.417 but is doing this in only 24 at-bats because the guy he is splitting time with, 

DSL-1 catcher, Endy Rodriguez, has 18-RBIs in 
9 games (27 at-bats), with 2-HRs and an OPS of 1.124, and now has to share time with Villalobos (4-AB, .500).

The DSL-1 team also has two middle infielders that are making noise. 

Luis Castillo is 17-years old and playing in his first professional season. So far, in 46-AB, his stat line is: .333/.407/.417/824

Federico Polanco  is 18-years old and is hitting .321 in his second DSL season, He hit only .201 in 249-ABs for the DSL-2 team last year. One can improve with hard work and age.

19-year old OF, Carlos Dominguez is another first year professional and he's currently hitting .321.

Pitching wise, 17-year old, Ronny Rincones, is a first pro-year starter and has given up only 2-H on 15.1-IP. His ERA/WHIP in 0.00/0.65.

20-yr. old, Jhonfran Escalona, and 18-yr. old Robert Ramirez have a combined 0.00-ERA in 11.1-IP. 

DSL-2 wise...

Two outfielders are standing out. 18-yr. old, Dyron Campos (.330) and 19-yr. old Kenedy Corona (.296) are turning heads early. They too are first year pros.

Starter wise, Emmanuel Almonte and Carlos Castro are both putting up good numbers; however, both are already in their twenties which eliminates them as a prospect at this level.

Relief wise, 19-year old Antonio Villalba pitched 1.77 in 22-outings last season. This year he's 0.00 in 18.2-IP. Why is this guy still across the pond?

Lastly, 18-yr. old RP, Marco Villegas is 0.00 through 11.2-IP.


This is a lot of good players and I haven't even discussed Kingsport.

There is talent in this organization. Now, we have to just add to it and not trade any of them away in bad deals.