The general consensus coming into the 2024 season was that this would be a year of transition for the Mets. It was going to be a period where the team would get younger, get under the salary cap and find out if certain young players were MLB caliber. After all, our starting pitching was suspect, especially with injuries to Senga and Peterson and a very questionable bullpen. Then the Mets made a move that seemed to be counter to their game plan. They plucked JD Martinez out of the bargain bin. That decision relegated Mark Vientos to the minors where he stayed and was called up only because Baty had a poor start.
Imagine if Brett Baty had only been average, Vientos would still be toiling for Syracuse. It was a bonehead call that becomes more evident as the season progresses. The Mets farm system was highly regarded as we began 2024 and gave us cause for optimism for the future. That future is less certain as many of our top offensive prospects have not lived up to their pedigree.
BRETT BATY
The much maligned Baty is having a solid season with Syracuse. He is averaging a homer every 15 at bats with a OPS of around .890. Projected over a full season, that works out to about 45 homers. Seems he has been more successful in getting the ball in the air. He belongs on the team now to take over the third base job inadequately being filled by Vientos. Mark then should take over the DH role.
LUISANGEL ACUNA
I don’t believe Acuna has a future with the big club. His future is probably as a utility guy. While he is a threat to steal a base, his low OBP makes it difficult to envision him making the cut as a full-time player. I think he is trade bait.
DREW GILBERT
It’s been a lost season for Drew as he tries to make it back from another serious injury. So far, the results have not been encouraging. This is a guy we thought would make the jump to the Mets around August 1st. Right now, 2025 looks like a stretch.
KEVIN PARADA
Kevin was considered to be a top prospect when the Mets drafted him. His hitting ability was considered to be strong with a need to improve defense. Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to expectations. His defense has improved but he strikes out way too much. He is probably a candidate to be traded, although with the right coaching he might turn out to be a better than average player. His future may be at another position.
ALEX RAMIREZ
Alex is another player whose development seems to have stagnated. He is still only 21 years old and there is a lot of room to grow. I hope the Mets resist the temptation to trade him.
SUMMARY
This has been a year where none of the Mets hitting prospects has had a superior year. Whatever hitting philosophy the Mets are employing in their minor league system is clearly not working. If there is such a thing as a hitting lab, it needs to be refined.
Ray
August 20, 2014
5 comments:
Baty is facing guys who would probably, overall, have an 8.00 ERA in the majors. So… His HRs are nice, but I worry about him not hitting 75 points higher. I think he is the next Billy Beane.
Acuna would actually be a good utility guy. An upgraded Luis Guillorme. But they need a cheap starter.
Parada, I have real doubts on. Those Ks are way too high,
Gilbert has no one to blame for himself regarding this lost season. You feel a tweak in your hamstring, come out of the game immediately the next time.
Alex Ramirez .217, his 2nd straight awful year. Shoulda traded him after 2022.
I agree. Signing JD Martinez was the best move the Mets made this year. In addition to the veteran leadership, the clutch hitting, the solid bat, he is the de facto hitting coach that has helped many of the Mets hitters, including Veintos.
Maybe Brett Baty needs to work under the tutilage of JD Martinez?
So you are okay with Vientos spending the year in AAA too accommodate JDM.
Leadership is taken, not given. Every player needs to take the position.
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