MACK – Chain Position Analysis - Third Base
We move further right to my old home… third base.
We just
left analyzing a position with tremendous depth (shortstop)… now we move on to
one that seems to be depending on one future player and a bunch of also-rans.
Let’s jump right in.
RED PROSPECTS
MLB/Mets - Bo Bichette – (28) – RHH - let’s face it… if the Mets could secure the services of this guy for the next three seasons, none of us would have to worry about this position until the next decade. Bichette got off to the kind of start many new players do, but by the end of the season, he proved to all Mets fans how talented he is. Right now, where he plays next season is up for grabs.
If he comes back, the immediate future of the other RED PROSPECTS listed here comes to a screeching halt.
If not, you could see him on opening day.
Either way, this looks like quite the one-two punch.
AAA/Syracuse – Jefferson Rojas – (21) – RHH - Thank you, David Stearns. IMO, you couldn’t have gotten a better return for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor. Rojas’ 2026 season consisted of 27-HR, 93-RBI, 21-SB, .274/.338/.505/.843. Played 35 games for the Mets… hit 12-HR. That’s good, right? Hit .280 for AA/Binghamton and then .308 for AAA/Syracuse. .929-OPS for AA/Binghamton, followed by 1.037 for AAA/Syracuse. 32-K in 144 Mets at-bats.
Only downside here is only 26-AB at the AAA level. I simply wouldn’t rush him whether Bo comes back or not. Let him play upstate up to the ASB then show him the way to where David Wright played.
This
looks like a great trade.
BLUE PROSPECTS
MLB/Mets – Christopher Morel – (22) – RHH - also plays DH, 1B, and OF – signed with Mets on July 1, 2026 after being released by the Marlins. Dominated in AAA/Syracuse (.321/.382/.716, 1.098), 12-HR in 109-AB (only 28-K). 30-AB for the Mets (.200). Look, you can’t ignore a four digit OPS at any level, especially the one just below the majors. Morel was a breath of fresh air and offers this team utility versatility.
He played every field position last season other than catcher. Having him on your major league 26 opens up at least two other slots.
Me? He opens in Queens next season.
AAA/Syracuse – Christian Arroyo – (31) – RHH – also plays 2B & SS – has already produced 2.1 MLB WAR – played 2026 exclusively for AAA/Syracuse: 237-AB, 44-K, 8-HR, 45-RBI, 18-BB, .278/.331/.435/.765. Another pleasant surprise from someone signed to fill a slot. Me?
A perfect AAAA infielder to play everyday at the AAA level and keep
fresh in case of any MLB injuries going forward. Needs to stay healthy himself
(2026 wrist injury).
AA/Binghamton – Jacob Reimer – (22) – RHH – also plays 1B (well) – 4th rd. 2022 - let’s face it… Reimer should be a RED Prospect, but… he isn’t due to his inability to prove his cred. I’ve seen him as high as the 5th Mets prospect. I currently don’t have him in my top 20. Played four levels in 2026 but primarily for AA/Binghamton: 297-AB, 87-K, 8-HR, 40-RBI, 45-BB, .232/.335/.384/.719. .280 last 90 days - .179 vs. LHP
I’m sorry. Stats like this aren’t
worthy of being ranked as the 5th top team prospect. Reimer needs to
show me a lot more before I even consider believing in him again.
A/St. Lucie – Jake Ogden –
(22) – RHH – also plays SS & 2B – UDFA 2026 – batted .315 for the
University of Miami in 2026… .336 in 2025. Have no idea why no one drafted him.
Our find. Only 41 professional at-bats (St. Lucie) this year: .268/.404/.366/.770. I know he didn’t play much, but
I’m replacing Colin Houck in A+/Brooklyn with this guy. Houck? Might drop so fast he’s quickly forgotten. Ogden could make things interesting in a few years.
ALMOST PROSPECTS
FCL/Mets – Roybert Herrera –
(19) – LHH – signed as IFA 1-15-2024 - also plays 1B & 2B – played 2026
exclusively for the FCL Mets: 86-AB, 25-K, 1-HR, 15-RBI, 13-BB,
.244/.359/.314/.673. Solid .285 season in 2025 for the DSLO Mets team. Spent
time on 7-day IL in 2026. Has shown contact ability, some power potential, and
speed. Gets on base additionally through walks and HBPs. Raw. Gained experience
last year that I see him applying this season for one of the Florida teams, if
not both.
MACK SPIN:
There is a lot of nice things I can say here
about all of these players, but the bottom line is that the future of this
position for the Mets is currently dependent one player (Rojas). If he goes
down with a season-ending or career-threatening injury, the Mets will have to
turn to one of their middle infield prospects and convert that player to third or look
for someone not currently on the roster.
As I said earlier, everything would be A+ if Bo stayed
around for three years. However, this post graded out that he doesn’t. Too much
to be determined on one future prospect that hasn’t played one major league
inning, against major league pitching.
RATING - B
9 comments:
Nothing to disagree with here. Bichette gives the Mets a very good player and they look at their other needs. Bichette opting out moves Rojas up and Mauricio holds the fort until then. Baty is a nice player, but has no ceiling left. Vargas may be an option. But, if Bichette stays, all these other names go to 2B.
The interesting question is, with Voit, Pitre, Pena, and Stafura, how long until Lindor has to move here? The end of Bichette’s deal? Sooner?
The infield is loaded at 3B. For Bo, if there is the thought of a very prolonged strike, he could look at it like he could take half of $25 MM for 2027 from Philly, rather than half of $42 MM from the Mets, which is not that enormous a difference, and then sign a long term deal with the Phils in their friendlier home park.
Jefferson Rojas may be every bit as ready as Benge and Ewing were.
Those latter two combined had just 98 at bats as high as AAA by the end of 2025. Arm chair QBs would have said, “maybe ready by the ASB.”
Despite that lack of AAA play in 2025, it did not prevent the duo from 1150 very fine METS PAs combined in 2026.
I hear that Reimer’s favorite Stevie Wonder song is Part Time Lover.
Thanks for your support here.
I really believe Bo will return in 2027
Not 2028
You could be right here
I believe Reimer will comfortably develop as a AAAA alternative
Tom, while I can accept your point and have considered it in light of Rojas playing winter league ball, Benge played major college ball and Ewing was somewhat rushed to the majors due to lack of options. I would like to give Rojas a little seasoning in Syracuse.
Also, I’ve read that minor leagues will start later as they finish early in September and since September is warmer, they can start later in April. I know the Binghamton boys are cheering.
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