John From Albany - Mauricio, Vientos and Cortes – Mets 2021 Rule 5 eligible players

 

Even though the Rule 5 Draft is not until December, a mid-season look at the players becoming eligible is always useful.  Since these players will need to be added to the 40 Man Roster to prevent another team grabbing them, it is possible they could be moved at the trade deadline or at the end of the year.

This year’s list of Mets eligible Rule 5 Prospects include many intriguing names including three of their biggest prospects – Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos, and Carlos Cortes.

Ronny Mauricio, SS, Bats Both, Throws Right, DOB 4/4/2001. Signed by the New York Mets as an International free agent on July 2, 2017. After a tough June in Brooklyn (.202/.245/.385), Ronny has picked things up in July (.282/.320/.451).  With the Mets signing Francisco Lindor to a multi-year contract, many, including MLB.com, feel that Mauricio could be available.  As he will soon need to be added to the 40 man roster, this may happen this week. 

Mark Vientos, 3B/LF/1B, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 12/11/1999, 2nd round, 2017 Draft. After a slow start in May (3 HR, 12 RBIs, .231/.279/.410), Mark was torrid in June – 9 HR, 20 RBIs, .324/.407/.775 before coming back to earth in July – 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, .250/.352/.550.  Binghamton wants to get Mark comfortable at the corner outfield slots in addition to 1B as he now is sharing time at 3B with Brett Baty. 

Carlos Cortes, OF, Bats both (throws left in the OF – right when playing the infield), DOB 6/30/1997, 3^rd round, 2018 Draft.  MLB.com has Carlos as the 17^th ranked Mets prospect. He has had a solid year in Binghamton as he transition to the OF full time - 12 HRs, 47 RBIs, .257/.324/.502.  With the Mets short of OFs in the upper levels, my guess is that he will be protected come December.

Ryley Gilliam, Relief Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 8/11/1996, 5^th round, 2018 Draft.  MLB.com’s 16^th ranked prospect has had a rough 2021 in Binghamton – 2 wins, 4 loses, 9.88 ERA; 27.1 innings, 25 Ks; 13 walks; 31 hits; 4 HRs; He was recently placed on the Injured List.  Hopefully he can come back and return to his 2019 form which put him on the prospect list. 

Two of my favorite “sleeper” prospects who were eligible last year, were added to the 38 man AAA roster to keep them out of the minor league portion of the Rule 5, Wilmer Reyes and Jose Peroza.

Wilmer Reyes SS slashed .333/.350/.441 with 5 HR; 33 RBI; 12 steals in 61 games for Brooklyn in 2019.  He has been hurt all this year.  Ernest Dove noted last weekend on his Radio Show that we stream here on Mack’s Mets, that he is hopeful that Wilmer Reyes will be back on the field in early August. 

Jose Peroza 2B-3B continues to impress in St. Lucie, in 59 this year – 5 HRs, 45 RBIs, .275/.412/.420.

Here are the minor league Mets that will be Rule 5 eligible for the first time this year:

Pitchers: Jose Butto; Robert Colina; Ryley Gilliam; Brailin Gonzalez; Liam McCall; Brian Metoyer; Andrew Mitchell; Oscar Rojas; Tommy Wilson; Allan Winans; 

Catchers: Nick Meyer; Hayden Senger; 

Infielders: Ronny Mauricio; Manny Rodriguez; Warren Saunders; Mark Vientos; 

Outfielders: Stanley Consuegra; Carlos Cortes; Adrian Hernandez; Eduardo Salazar; 

In addition, these players from last year’s list will be eligible again:

Pitchers: Daison Acosta; Garrison Bryant; Joe Cavallaro; Yeizo Campos; Matt Cleveland; Trey Cobb; Tony Dibrell; Christofer Dominguez; Alec Kisena; Colin Holderman; Adam Oller;  Conner O'Neil; Thomas McIlraith; Marcel Renteria; Joseph Shaw; Joshua Walker; Jaison Vilera; Kyle Wilson;

Catchers: Jose Mena; Juan Uriarte;

Infielders: Cody Bohanek; Luis Carpio; Edgardo Fermin; Gregory Guerrero; Shervyen Newton; Michel Otanez; Jose Peroza; Wilmer Reyes; Yoel Romero; Willy Taveras; David Thompson; Blake Tiberi; Jeremy Vasquez;

Outfielders: Raul Beracierta; Quinn Brodey; Wagner Lagrange; Matt Winaker;