The New York Mets missed the playoffs again last year and continue to take a back seat to the other New York team, the Yankees. Many of the Mets top prospects are still young with little experience, but look for the first four names listed below to move aggressively up prospect rankings throughout this year.
Any feedback is welcome, and you can follow me on Twitter @DraftHouseNow.
Ronny Mauricio (SS)
Ronny Mauricio (SS) is 6’3″ 166 at 18 years old is the top prospect in the Mets system. Mauricio is aggressively pushed through the Mets organization spending 2019 at A ball and slashed .268/.307/.357. Those numbers are not extremely impressive, but it is the potential that gets people excited about Mauricio. At 18 years old, there is plenty of time for him to grow into his frame to add strength and power. If Mauricio does fill out as expected, then we can expect him to make a move over to third base. The upside is there, but there is still plenty of room for Mauricio to grow, and at 18 years old, I would not expect Mauricio up in the MLB for at least two full years.
Francisco Alvarez (C)
Francisco Alvarez (C) is quickly becoming one of the best catching prospects in the minor leagues. Alvarez was an international signee by the Mets before the 2019 season. In his first pro season, he slashed .312/.407/.510 in 42 games. What makes this even more impressive is that Alvarez promoted from Gulf Coast League and was the youngest player in the Appy league after getting called up, slashed .282/.377/.443 in 35 games. Catching prospects typically take longer to get to the Majors, but there is no concern for Alvarez being able to stick behind the plate, as is the case with other catching prospects.
Brett Baty (3B)
Brett Baty (3B) at 6’3″ 210 pounds was drafted 12th overall by the Mets in 2019 MLB draft. Baty shows power to all fields with good on-base skills. In 2019 Baty slashed .234/.368/.452 in 51 games across three levels finishing at short-season A ball. Baty had 44 hits, and 25 of them were for extra bases (16 2B, 2 3B, and 7 HR). The strikeouts were a concern for Baty last year with a 25.8 K%, but this could be from taking too many pitches and being too patient at the plate. Baty shows an advanced approach at the plate and should be able to make adjustments coming straight from high school to pro ball.
Matthew Allan (RHP)
Matthew Allan (RHP) 6’3″ 225 pounds fell in the 2019 MLB draft because he was asking well above his market and was considered a strong commitment to the University of Florida. However, the Mets grabbed him in round three, and he is now considered the Mets top pitching prospect, by many, with only pitching 10.1 innings in pro ball, 2.61 ERA 14 Ks and 5 BB. Allan is 18 years old and sits 93-96 with his fastball and shows a plus breaking ball to pair with the fastball. The changeup is his third pitch and is average. The command is the primary concern and needs to get better, but there is ace potential with Allan.
Names to watch for 2020 – Mark Vientos (3B), Andres Gimenez (SS), and Thomas Szapucki (LHP).
Vientos previously had some prospect hype but has not lived up to the billing. Vientos needs to show the power that once had people excited in games until we can start to believe again. Vientos ended his 19-year-old season in A ball with a slash line of .255/.300./.411.
Gimenez is another guy that, unfortunately for the Mets, is moving down prospect rankings. Gimenez prospect rating peaked in 2018 when he slashed .281/.347/.409 across A and AA ball. In 2019 those numbers dipped to .250/.309/.387 with the K rate going from 14.4 to 21.3. Gimenez is still young and still a name to keep an eye on to see he can make necessary adjustments.
Thomas Szapucki missed all of 2018 after Tommy John and is continuing to work his way back. 2019 was a productive year throwing 61.2 innings with 72 Ks and 26 BB. Szapucki features a mid-90s fastball with a plus breaking ball that is an out pitch and a changeup that is developing. If Szapucki can stay healthy, he should move up prospect lists quickly.