MACK - Sunday Morning Observations (Mack Top 21-30 Prospects)

 

Observations –           

            I haven’t done a top prospect list in quite a while, so I’m not going to now… kidding.

            My criteria are the same as scouts determine their list… raw talent and potential progression. What their current stats are means nothing to me… as you will see… and this represents my opinion only. You have yours and I hope you add them to this post.

You will see my list is missing many names you expected to see. They would be in the 31-40 list.

One note.

Ronny Mauricio is not in this ranking. He had 100 at bats for the Mets and, in my book  that makes his a major league player

I do rank Brett Baty because of the direction he is going.

Today, will be picks 21-30.

30 - OF A.J. Ewing – drafted by the Mets in the 4^th round of the 2023 draft, out of high school. Left hand aggressive hitter with room to get stronger. Whippy raw bat speed. Lots of offensive projection at his age. Above average speed. Most of his damage, which includes 100+ exit velocities, comes from his pull side. Strong middle infield defender who projects as a second baseman. This is the kind of player you only wish is still around in the fourth round. Nice work here by the Mets talking him out of going to Alabama.

ETA - will play Brooklyn in 2025...  2028

 

29  - OF Willy Fanas – Fanas was signed by the Mets in 2022 with a $1.5mil signing bonus. His switch-hitting swinq packs the punch. Good sense of the strike zone. + speed but only an average runner. Does have range to play center. Off to a slow start professionally; however, he remains a high-value, high-upside IFA signing, though 2025 may be the test to his baseball future. 

ETA - will probably repeat St. Lucie next spring...  2029

 

28 - 2B Marco Vargas – another young IFA signing ($17.5K, 2022, Miami), Vargas hits from the left side with outstanding bat-to-ball skill. He has strong strike-zone judgement and all fields hitting approach. Flashes of gap power, but still very under-developed. A solid middle infield defender who can play all three positions. Projects best at second due to a limited arm. Was traded to the Mets, along with Ronald Hernandez, for a few months of David Robertson.

ETA - 2024 injuries will probably cause him to repeat St. Lucie in the spring... 2029

 

27 – 1B/IF Luke Ritter – Ritter’s strengths is what he does with his bat. Has huge HR/RBI numbers over the past two seasons, but he also has high strikeout ratios with that same bat. Very limited defensively at all positions, which limits his future to coming off the bench of being the DH. Yes, he’s too old to be on this list (27), but I still want to send out a shout out to this blocked RBI hound that has no road ahead projected to Queens. I hope the Mets can find him a home (like Colorado) where he can tee off to his heart’s content.

ETA - either this September or 2025

 

26  - OF Simon Juan – IFA 2022 signing for a $1.9mil bonus. Sticks out for his tools. Impressive bat speed for a 19 year old. Raw power. Has range to play center but I project him as a right fielder. Power is starting to develop this year for the FCL Mets. Has progressed faster than his buddy, Willy Fanas, but not as fast as the Mets had hoped he would be at, at this point. 2025 could be a breakout year for him for St. Lucie.

ETA - St. Lucie in the spring...   2028

 

25 - C Christopher Suero – Signed for only a $10,000 IFA bonus. Late sign at 18 probably drove down the bonus. Grew up in the Bronx (bilingual). Very versatile young man who catches, plays first, and both corners. Struggling but the chops are there, especially defensively behind the plate. Also has a strong approach at the plate. Right now, he’s a viable candidate to someday back up Alvy behind the plate.

ETA - The starting catcher for the B-Mets next season...  late 2026 or OD 2027

 

24 - RP Wilkin Ramos – claimed in April 2022. Tall and lanky. Classic overhead delivery. High leg lift into motion. 92-96 50-grade fastball. 73-76 curve. Has dominated throughout minor league level, until he got this year to… yeah, you guessed it… the International League. Needs to shake this off and get his mental game back attached to his God given talent. He’s 23. 2025 is his time to shine.

ETA - repeat Syracuse

 

23 – SP Nolan McLean – 3^rd round pick in the 2022 draft. Came to the Mets as a two-way player, but that just hasn’t worked for him this year. Has since turned to pitching only, but hasn’t hit his stride here either High K/9 ration with low BB/9. FB: 60. Curve 50. Slider 55. Change 40. Control 45. Overall 45. FB has touched 98. Projects long term as a one inning reliever, maybe a closer. If I was the Mets I would get this kid a cot in the labs this off-season and work on his control. Lots of raw talent here, but just needs work.

 ETA - good chance he will open as part of the B-Mets rotation. I believe he is on a fast track... great AFL candidate...   2026

22 - SP Calvin Ziegler – An oxymoron wrapped up with a riddle. Also, this year’s version of Matt Allan. Highly regarded 17-year old prospect when drafted in 2^nd round in 2021. FB (95) 60. CV (82-85) 60, SPL 50. The bad news is, due to injuries, he has only thrown seven innings in the past two seasons. The good news is he is still only 20 years old. Take the injuries away and this young man could currently be the top pitching prospect in the chain. Instead, no one is sure if he is even going to throw a lick next season. Sad.

ETA - either Brooklyn or kid gloved in St, Lucie when he resurfaces...  ??? 

21 - SS Trey Snyder -  5^th rebound in 2024 draft, out of high school. Some scouts consider him to be the top Missouri prep prospect this draft season. Ball explodes off his bat. More 100+ velo gap hitting, but more power to come. Excellent defensive game in all aspects. Arm to first is 93mph. Projects to someday move to either second or third due to increased muscle. I was surprised when they signed him. Could be sleeper of the draft.

ETA - 2029