Tom Brennan: Prospects1500 Ranks the Mets' Top 50 Prospects

Which Prospects Will Successfully JUMP to the Majors? 

Based on Historical Precedent, Many Hitters Won’t

21 of Their Top 50 Are Pitchers: Most of Them Should Make It

Mack listed this Prospects1500 ranking recently. Here’s my spin:

Prospects1500 writers collectively rank each team's Top 50 prospects.  

50 X 30 = 1500.  So they rank 1500 MLB prospect players - a lot of work.

They come up with “Tiers” of talent, as defined just below.  

According to them, the Mets have no (zero) Tier 1 prospects.  Ouch.

Their Mets Top 50 list is below. They provide rationale for their top 10, and several of their remains 40. Feel free to Google their list at Mets prospects1500 2025.

TAKE A LOOK BELOW AND FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Prospects1500 Tiers:

Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years

Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success

Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact

Tier 1 - None

Tier 2

1. Jett Williams, SS, 21, Triple-A

2. Brandon Sproat, RHP, 24, Triple-A

3. Drew Gilbert, OF, 24, Triple-A

4. Luisangel Acuña, SS/OF, 22, MLB

Tier 3

5. Ronny Mauricio, SS/OF, 23, Injured (MLB in 2023)

6. Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF, 21, Double-A (Praised his AA power)

7. Carson Benge, OF, 21, Single-A

8. Jonah Tong, RHP, 21, Double-A

9. Jesus Baez, SS/2B, 19, High-A (Interesting P1500 comment: "The 19-year-old infielder displays incredible bat speed, some scouts believe that it might be the best in the system.")

10. Blade Tidwell, RHP, 23, Triple-A (P1500 partial comment: "Tidwell has two electric pitches in a 96-97 MPH fastball and a devastating slider.")

Tier 4

11. Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, 18, Rookie (FCL)

12. Nolan McLean, RHP/DH, 23, Double-A

13. Nick Morabito, OF, 21, High-A

14. Colin Houck, SS/3B, 20, Single-A

15. Alex Ramírez, OF, 21, Double-A

16. Boston Baro, 3B/SS, 20, High-A

17. Yovanny Rodriguez, C, 18, Rookie (DSL)

18. Kevin Parada, C, 23, Double-A

19. Marco Vargas, SS, 19, Single-A

20. Jonathan Santucci, LHP/DH, 22, College

Tier 5

21. Felipe De La Cruz, LHP, 23, High-A

22. Dom Hamel, RHP, 25, Triple-A

23. Trey Snyder, SS, 19, Single-A

24. Jacob Reimer, 3B, 20, High-A

25. Jeffry Rosa, OF, 20, Single-A

26. Edward Lantigua, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)

27. Calvin Ziegler, RHP, 22, High-A

28. Nick Lorusso, 1B, 24, Double-A

29. Daiverson Gutierrez, C, 19, Single-A

30. Christopher Suero, C, 20, High-A

31. Nate Dohm, RHP, 21, College

32. A.J. Ewing, OF/2B, 20, Single-A

33. Joander Suarez, RHP, 24, Triple-A

34. Ronald Hernandez, C/1B, 21, High-A

35. Eduardo Herrera, RHP, 24, Double-A

36. Wellington Aracena, RHP, 20, Single-A

37. Franklin Gomez, LHP, 19, Single-A

38. Bryce Montes de Oca, RHP, 28, Triple-A

39. Trey McLoughlin, RHP, 25, Triple-A

40. JT Schwartz, 1B, 25, Triple-A

41. Eli Serrano III, OF, 21, Single-A

42. Douglas Orellana, RHP, 22, High-A

43. Joel Díaz, RHP, 20, Single-A

44. Jack Wenninger, RHP, 22, High-A

45. Julio Zayas, C, 18, Rookie (FCL)

46. Raimon Gomez, RHP, 23, High-A

47. Brett Banks, RHP, 23, High-A

48. Jose Guevara, RHP, 19, Rookie (DSL)

49. Simon Juan, OF, 19, Rookie (FCL)

50. Jefrey De Los Santos, 2B/OF, 21, High-A

In October, I did my own top 30, which I include here in terms of cross-comparison, should you choose to want to do so.

1. 

Brandon Sproat - the 100 MPH man was brilliant in his first season until AAA, where he encountered turbulence. Me? I am confident he sails out of the turbulence and has real major league impact during 2025.  I am hoping he is a future SP 1.

2. 

Jett Williams - he was injured and needed surgery, and his season was shortened substantially and miserable until his final week.  Let's hope for a spurt that has him ready by September 2025, if not sooner. 

3. 

Jonah Tong - he had a heck of a season in low A and High A, then in his first of two AA starts late in the season, with 6 no hit innings, no walks, and 9 Ks. AAA can be a doozy, but I am going out on a limb for this 21 year old righty who turns 22 in late June 2025, and who fanned 160 in 113 innings.  He has quite a repertoire and seems like a real student of pitching. My ranking is likely higher than most would rank Tong.  I am hoping he is a future SP 2.  Possible Mets 2026 rotation piece.

4. 

Carson Benge - I see this 2024 first rounder as being a larger version of Drew Gilbert.  4 inches taller, he hit well in his brief St Lucie debut.  He and Gilbert both have cannons for arms, but Carson throws harder.  I foresee Carson blowing through High A, AA, and getting decent time in AAA, and being a mid-2026 arrival to the Mets.

5. 

Nolan McLean - his win loss record did not show it, but his first year pitching, with an extensive stretch in AA, was impressive.  Throws almost as hard as Sproat and has a nasty slider.  He has too many holes in his bat to become a big league hitter, despite massive power, so he wisely shelved his hitting career to focus on pitching.  I see him as a future SP 3, who will he ready by late 2025.

6. 

Drew Gilbert - I was disappointed by his extended injury, and he hit with good power, but otherwise unimpressively, when he did play in 2024.  VERY slow start in Arizona Fall Ball, too. I think his being 5'9" will be a disadvantage in the majors - I hope I am wrong.  If Marte is traded at the MLB deadline in July 2025, I could see Drew stepping in.

7. 

Ronny Mauricio - everyone seems very high on him for his power and base stealing ability.  I am unsure as to whether he will be as willing to steal going forward after his MCL injury and having seen speedy Ronald Acuna get two such injuries.  That injury is obviously very costly time-wise, as Mauricio, after a huge number of plate appearances in 2022 and 2023, missed all of 2024.  My other concern is he has had 110 errors in 445 minors and international games (93 in 393 games at SS - Rey Ordonez he is not).  That has to drastically improve, or he will be largely limited to DH.

8. 

Nick Morabito - 2025 will be a big year for Speedy Nick.  The athletic 5'10" righty has to show he has more power.  He has had just 41 XBHs in 807 career plate appearances. 

That said, in A and High A in 2024, at age 21, he hit .312 with 59 steals, and in 2023 and 2024, he had 664 at bats, hit .310 and stole 80 bases, with 94 walks and 19 HBP, giving him a two year OBP of .410.

I see him being ready for the Mets by early 2026, perhaps as a starter.

His arm is deemed to be not strong.  He needs to add power.

9. 

Boston Baro turned 20 late in 2024 and had a fine rookie season. .278/.358/.390.  "Just" 17 errors at short, second and third, which actually is a decent rate for his age and which will no doubt improve.  Baro stole 9 of 10 in 95 games, which tells me he is an opportunistic stealer.  He will be ready most likely, in early 2027.  My guess is he will have average power by the time he shows up in Queens.

10. 

Luisangel Acuna - the little man had a towering impact on the Mets pennant drive when he filled in for the injured Lindor down the stretch.  He played loose, hit great, and is quick.  His AAA season was solid and perhaps he will surprise me in 2025 and be an impact player from day 1 with the Mets.  I can foresee him hitting .235-.250 with the Mets next season as a rookie with some power, a mediocre OBP, base stealing acumen, and pro level fielding. Hopefully, I have him way too low.

11. 

Ryan Clifford - he walks a lot, fans a lot, and has real power.  I remain unconvinced that he will remedy his low batting average and high K issues, but he is still young, and potentially could rip AAA apart next year.  He is not a speedster but he has an arm in the outfiled and can also man first base. His 2024 stats in High A and AA are as follows:

.228/.378/.421, 160 strikeouts in 129 games.  But he started out in Brooklyn in 2024, which is a lefty hitter's hell.  He had 1 HR for Brooklyn in 136 plate appearances, but in AA, he hit .231 and had a more representative 18 HRs in 405 ABs.  I need to remember that power-hitting Ike Davis never hit a HR in Brooklyn in 215 ABs there in his first year.  

He turns 22 after the All Star Break in 2025, so he could prove me dead wrong and soar up this list as a lefty hitting version of Mark Vientos.

12. 

Jeremy Rodriguez - this danged 6'0" lefty-smacking kid does not turn 19 until Independence Day 2025, yet he has already had 419 plate appearances in his minors career and has an excellent slash line of .287/.382/.431 with 36 of 50 in career steals.  That success rate, though, is below average for the levels he has been playing at.  I believe this time next year, he will be ranked much, much higher. 

Made 17 errors in 50 games in 2024.  His goals in 2025 should include at least doubling the games he actually plays in 2025 (100 or more), with no increase in errors.

13. 

Blade Tidwell - he had a great last game of the season, but went through brutal outings in 2024 in AAA.  Payback in 2025 in AAA, and possibly a late season call up to the Mets in relief.  Throws hard, but must allow a lot fewer hitters to get on base.  A future Tylor Megill?

14. 

Marco Vargas - disappointingly, the 19 year old lefty hitting SS had just 130 at bats in 2024.  He hit just .208 in St Lucie, but with a .369 OBP.  He has walked 122 times in 144 pro games.  Low errors and stole 13 of 15 in 37 games.  PLEASE stay healthy in 2025, Marco, and show us what you can really do.

15. 

Jonathan Santucci - lefty fireballer in the draft. No pro innings.  He has a 60 rated fastball and slider and will move up quickly, as his control lets him.  He could be top 5 this time next year.

16. 

Nate Dohm - also yet to record official pro innings, the righty is ranked as having a 55 fastball, curve, and slider.  Let's hope he dazzles in his first pro season.

17. 

Trey Snyder - the 19 year old infielder went well over slot in the draft (5th round, 144th overall), so they LIKE this guy.  He got several games in for St Lucie.  Righty bat.  Let's see him tear the cover off the ball in A ball in 2025.  He ranks well, but no 60's in his rankings.

18. 

Jesus Baez - the 19 year old was having a strong year, then he caught POVID, an illness that afflicts only Mets' infield and outfield ranked prospects. He was done after early July with a meniscus injury that required snipping and stitching.  The 5'10" infielder had a fine slash of .262/.335/.447.  I'd have had him several slots higher if it weren't for the injury.  A possible 2027 Met.  Maybe he switches to the outfield and turns into a Toy Cannon.

19. 

Daiverson Gutierrez - Gutierrez was the Mets' bug international bonus baby in 2023. In 2023, he stunk. But he was SO YOUNG.  In 2024, much improved (.259/.396/.435) and got some games in with St Lucie after a short season in the FCL. St Lucie's catcher in 2025. Unclear as yet if he will eventually be more than a back up catcher in the majors starting in 2028 or 2029.

20. 

Yovanny Rodriguez - 2024's big bonus baby struggled in 2024, too, but he heated up at the end. He might be ready in 2030; he plays all next year at age 18.

21. 

AJ Ewing - another Boston Baro type, but had a lesser year. .233/.361/.390.  Stuck out 109 times in 90 games.  Let's see what he can do in full pro season # 2 in 2025.

22. 

Mike Vasil - sub-mediocre starter in AAA.  He is 12-14, 5.78 in 207 AAA innings in 2023 and 2024.  I foresee a conversion to relief for him, but the Mets may need him to start in AAA.  GONE IN SUBSEQUENT RULE 5.

23. 

Jacob Reimer - this guy was hurt for almost all of 2024.  I had him higher last year.  Let's see how he does in 2025 (and in Arizona ball this fall).

24. 

Ronald Hernandez - he could well be a back-up catcher in 2026.  .261/.244/.346 in 2024.  Slow catcher, with 30 rated speed.  Good fielder, good eye at the plate. 

25. 

Wyatt Young - if only he wasn't 5'6".  in 118 games in 2024, a fine .287/.387/.358, with 17 of 25 steals. He started slow in 2024 but had a very good year in AA/AAA, and fields very well, as his mere 5 errors in 2024 clearly attests.  He is up against a crowded field.  Maybe he will get his break in 2025.

26. 

Dominic Hamel - occasionally tossed a good game, but hammered almost all year.  Spotty control.  Try to become Trevor May, seems to be the best career advice that no one is asking me for.

27. 

Edward Lantigua - well thought of, let's see what he can do stateside in 2025.  He had a .397 OBP in the DSL at the age of 17.

28. 

Alex Ramirez - so much speed, but back to back truly disappointing years.  Strikes out too much, and hit .215 over the past 2 seasons with very little power.  I dunno, do you?  Man, he would have been a great guy to trade at the end of 2022, when he was in baseball's top 100.

29. 

Jordan Geber - this slot came down to Geber or Jack Wenninger.  The undrafted Geber wins for now, but Wenninger can rise quickly in a starter-starved Mets minors system in 2025.

30. 

Nate Lavender - no way I am leaving Nate out.  He was SOCLOSE to getting a major league bullpen call up in early 2024, before the Tommy John Grim Reaper showed up. Nate has had some control issues, but he has fanned a ton of batters.  Let's hope the lefty is back pitching in games by mid-2025 and cracks the majors in 2025. GONE IN SUBSEQUENT RULE 5.

Missing from my Top 30 are Kevin Parada and Colin Houck, two first round-selected strikeout machines.  Besides the Ks and the suppressed averages, Houck made a ton of errors, and Parada may be the worst defensive catcher in the system.  

Houck, 19 during 2024, could mature this off season and return in 2025 with guns a’blazing, and push his way up into the top 30. 

He really (IMO) should have been demoted to the Complex League to lower the level of pitching competition against him. I am hopeful for him in 2025. 

Parada?  Increasingly troubling pick.  Maybe something clicks in 2025.

(Now that Vasil and Lavender exited my Top 30 due to Rule 5, let’s move this duo into my list as #29 and #30.)

Left out is Calvin Ziegler, whose total innings in 2023 and 2024 totaled less than one complete game. Amazing…7 innings, no hits, 15 Ks. 

And Saul Garcia, who pitched better in Arizona than he did during the regular season.

Ziegler will have to get healthy after TJS and earn his way back into the Top 30 list.  He, I would guess, will return in or around August 2025.

MEANWHILE….

Another Top 100 prospects ranker sees 5 Mets prospects in their list, all 5 in their top 75:

Baseball Prospectus released their 2025 Top-101, with five Mets prospects featuring on the list:

Brandon Sproat at 39, Jett Williams at 48, Caron Benge at 71, Nolan McLean at 74, and Jonah Tong at 75.

- I am impressed with Benge at 71 and McLean at 74.  The others I expected.  Note that they do not include Acuna, Gilbert, and Mauricio in their top 100.

DEPARTED PROSPECTS

Guys traded away?

Rhylan Thomas is rated by Prospects1500 only as Seattle's 38th prospect.

Kade Morris?  The RHP in Oakland's 22nd prospect.  Good, not great.

Paul Gervase?  As of Sunday, Prospects1500 had not done their top 50 for Tampa, but MLB's top 30 listing does not have Gervase in their top 30 prospects.  Despite his high K rate, not in their top 30. And Rule 5 Mike Vasil is not in their top 30 either, after Tampa snagged him.

So we can "boo-hoo" traded prospects, but the only one of the 4 above who objectively might have some sustained MLB success (based on their rankings) is Kade Morris.

BASEBALL'S TOP PROSPECT

Roki Sasaki has that searing fastball, but that's nothing.

Fangraphs lists him as having an "EIGHTY RATED SPLITTER".  80. Yep, 80.

They expect him to go 10-6, ERA in the low 3s, and over 11 Ks per 9.  That's why everyone wanted him. He unfortunately wanted to sign with Tokyo West.

NOTHING NEW TO REPORT ON METS DEALS AS OF WED. 7PM, E.S.T. 

 - So, be chill, Dawgs.