Morning.
I was going to write on this subject as one of the bullet points in one of my Mack Reports, but, after thinking about it, this subject really needs it’s own post.
Depth.
I can’t remember the last time I used this word positively in a Mets post. It seemed every time this team begins to build some in their system, along comes some funked up trades that ship the best they have percolating in the lower levels of their system.
But now, due to a huge increase of decisions made securing the services of some really talented kids, the Mets biggest problem in the future seems to be a duplication of that old Abbott and Costello joke, “Who’s One First, What’s On Second, I Don’t Know…”.
Let’s go position by position…
C - Thus is prospect heaven. The Mets have the top catching prospect in baseball ready to move to the Big Apple (Francisco Alvarez), another top prospect two years away that some feel projects higher than Alvarez (Kevin Parada), and, if that ain’t enough, they plan on signing the top catcher prospect in this year’s International Draft (Daiverson Guiterrez).
SS - The Mets have Francisco Lindor signed up through 2031. So, what are they going to do with prospects Ronny Mauricio (projected to play in 2023: AAA), Jett Williams (proj. St. Lucie), Jesus Baez (proj. FCL), and Dangelo Sarmiento (proj. FCL)???
2B - The Mets have the National League batting champ, Jeff McNeil, signed up through 2026, with a club option for 2027. Move on, right? Well, you could move McNeil to RF to make room for any one of Williams, Baez, or Sarmiento.
3B - This may create dizziness. The Mets have two of the top prospect third basemen ready to play Queens (Brett Baty, Mark Vientos), or any one of Williams, Baez, or Sarmiento could wind up there, or one one of two more legit third base prospects that could play here in the future, William Lugo (proj. Brooklyn) or Jacob Reimer (proj. FCL).
OF - Hang on. Currently, the Mets have LF Mark Cahna under contract through 2023, with a club option for 2024, RF Starlin Marte through 2025, and CF Brandon Nimmo through 2030. The Mets could pass on Cahna’s 2024 option and move McNeil there for that year. Then, on 2024, top CF prospect Alex Ramirez could push Nimmo to right. This gives you a starting outfield of McNeil, Nimmo, and Ramirez through 2026. Done, right? Well, in 2027 Willy Fanas and Simon Juan are due to arrive and they may never need an outfielder for the remainder of this decade.
SP - I still consider David Peterson and Tylor Megill prospects in 2023. In addition, Josh Walker and Jose Butto could eventually make a splash. Past that, Dom Hamel and Mike Vasil are two years away, Calvin Zeigler, Blade Tidwell, Joel Diaz, and Matt Allan three years, and Layonel Ovalles in four.
So…
In case you weren’t counting…
I just wrote about 29 Mets players.
29.
THAT’S called depth.
11 comments:
But...but...but what about all the Prophets of Doom among Mets fans who keep telling us that we have nothing left in the minors because we've drafted players who are mediocre at best, and traded away any who are actually talented ,in exchange for mediocre veterans?
Are you saying that they're (GASP!) WRONG?
I am.
Mack,
Excellent overview of the Mets prospects.This year's draft could add even more to the list. Great to see the future possibilities.
Just the facts, Jack
This was needed to be written.
The Mets need to target pitching and a future replacement for Pete
My suggestion
Top 2 way player in draft
RHP/1B Bryce Eldridge
Huge power and hits 99
Mack,
Do you see a move for Mauricio to the outfield as a comparison to the Mets trading Amos Otis to the Kansas City Royals when we didn't think he could make the team as a third baseman. Otis went on to be a star for the Royals. I would like to see us give Mauricio a chance to use his ability in the outfield and to flourish for us.
That throw to first from deep short the other day made me remember that great on the fly throw to home that Clemente made back in the day.
You can't trade what this bat has turned into.
Could be one of the greatest.
Three weeks of a hot ST and a guy who had no spot on the Mets, poor pitch recognition is now an All Star! Let’s see how he hits in Triple A before we give him a job
I don't want to dampen the enthusiasm of this post, but some of these prospects won't make it. There are injuries, bad habits that turn into loss of confidence, and sometimes even coaches that push for the wrong changes in approach. It's going to happen, you just don't know who or when. So keep building the farm system, keep strong scouting in the domestic and international talent pools, keep stocking the depth. We will need it.
Replacement for Pete? Barring unforeseen developments, he should be here for 8-10 years. In the '26 draft and beyond is the time to think about his replacement.
What? Wait! No Wyatt Young?
Yep, a lot of talent.
Mauricio's last HR went 453. He is no longer a stick figure - he is a man. A man who never needs a day off.
Add in Hartwig and Orze as possibles out of pen. Oca if he didn't just blow up.
Nice to think about the possibilities.
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