Top-25 New York Mets Prospects

This is one of the sneaky-good farm systems that doesn’t get enough publicity. The reason for that being all of the top-notch international talent the Mets have brought in over the last few international signing periods. Everyone knows about the hitting prowess of Peter Alonso and Andres Gimenez, but that’s not what makes this a strong farm system. A lot of the most intriguing Mets prospects are still years away in the lower levels of the minors but have a ton of upside. It’s just going to take a while. Personally, I can’t wait until these guys make it up to my neck of the woods in the Eastern League.

Overall System Grade: C+

All other team top-25 prospect rankings can be found here.

Minor League Affiliates

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets – International League

Double-A: Binghamton – Eastern League

Single-A (Advanced): St. Lucie – Florida State League

Single-A (Full): Columbia – South Atlantic League

Short-season Single-A: Brooklyn, New York-Penn League

Rookie: Kingsport – Appalachian League, a team in the Gulf Coast League, and two teams in the Dominican Summer League.

New Top-25 New York Mets Prospects

1. Peter Alonso, 1B, Bats: R, DOB: 12/7/94, ETA 2019

2018 Stats (AA/AAA): .285/.395/.579/.975, 31 2B, 36 HR, 0 SB, 13.2 BB%, 22.3 K%, 478 AB

By now, most of you should be aware of how I feel about Peter Alonso’s upside. In the From the Field Prospect Mock Draft, I selected Alonso 25th overall and have him ranked higher than that in my personal rankings. Even back in the first series of the season, I was blown away by the massive raw power he displayed and the torque in his strong lower half. And this is before the Alonso hype train fully picked up steam.

He has the swing and frame built for 40-homer pop and is far from an all or nothing hitter. Alonso covers the plate well and generates plenty of hard contact to all fields. There might not be any batting titles in his future, but Alonso should hit for a solid average to go along with that massive power. His lack of speed will limit him to first base long term, but he’s made strides defensively and should be an adequate defender long term.

2. Andres Gimenez, SS, Bats: L, DOB: 9/4/98, ETA 2020

2018 Stats (A+/AA): .281/.347/.409/.756, 29 2B, 6 HR, 38 SB, 6.2 BB%, 18.3 K%, 445 AB

Unfortunately, I was unavailable during Gimenez’s only trip to my neck of the woods last season, so I’ve yet to get a live look at Gimenez, but will early in the 2019 season. This kid oozes upside, especially at the plate. From the left side, Gimenez’s swing is fluid with plenty of bat speed and plate coverage. The power is more of the gap variety than over the fence right now, but trust me, more power is coming. In time, Gimenez should blossom into a 15-20+ HR threat.

Andres Gimenez #Mets top prospect 💪🏿🔥💯🚀💣
2 HR – pull off 95 in from RHP and oppo off LHP mid 90's pic.twitter.com/JUlm4lxKWQ
— Peace, love, and dirty feet (@mufuhkajones) June 5, 2018

To go along with that plus hit tool and developing power is easy plus-plus speed. Gimenez swiped 38 bases in 52 attempts this season displayed above-average range at shortstop. That range and strong throwing arm should keep him at the position moving forward. He may not get the same treatment as guys like Royce Lewis, Fernando Tatis, Wander Franco, etc., but Gimenez has is about to join them in the elite tier of shortstop prospects.

3. Mark Vientos, 3B, Bats: R, DOB: 12/11/99, ETA 2021

2018 Stats (RK): .287/.389/.489/.878, 12 2B, 11 HR, 1 SB, 14.1 BB%, 16.4 K%, 223 AB

A second-round pick out of high school in 2017, Vientos didn’t take long to blossom into one of the most exciting young prospects in the game. Offensively, Vientos projects to hit for both power and average while sporting a strong OBP as well. His plate coverage is phenomenal and he’s trimmed his strikeouts since being drafted, which is always a welcomed sign. What else is welcomed is the power he’s already displaying. Those 23 extra-base hits were all because of his bat and strength as Vientos is a below-average runner, to put it nicely. More power should be in store in the future once he fills out that slender 6’4 frame of his. This is a name I might be ranking in my top-25 overall next spring. Watch out.

Mark Vientos with a LOUD double off the left field wall. #Mets pic.twitter.com/DWZlxg8hkx
— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) July 28, 2018

4. Shervyen Newton, SS, Bats: S, DOB: 4/24/99, ETA 2021

2018 Stats (RK): .280/.408/.449/.857, 16 2B, 5 HR, 4 SB, 17.3 BB%, 31.6 K%, 207 AB

He’s yet to progress past the Appalachian League, but Newton is already showing why the Mets targeted him during the 2015 international signing period. The Dutch shortstop has displayed good instincts at the plate and a budding power stroke. Even though he walked quite a bit, Newton still chased too many pitches out of the zone, leading to that high strikeout rate you see above. I’m not too worried about that though. Not yet anyway. Not with the poise Newton has shown at the plate and his ability to make hard contact from both sides of the plate. Defensively, he’s not going to win any gold gloves, but is a capable defender and has the arm to move to the hot corner if he ends up outgrowing shortstop.

5. Ronny Mauricio, SS, Bats: S, DOB: 4/4/01, ETA 2023

2018 Stats (RK): .273/.304/.410/.714, 16 2B, 3 HR, 2 SB, 5.3 BB%, 16.2 K%, 227 AB

Mauricio is an advanced hitter for a 17-year-old. He’s shown good plate coverage from both sides of the plate with the ability to barrel up balls both inside and on the outer half. The power hasn’t shown up in games yet, but have no fear, it’s there. Mauricio’s above-average raw power has shown up in batting practice and it shouldn’t be long before some of those gap shots begin clearing the fence. Between Amed Rosario, Gimenez, Newton, and Mauricio, it’s going to be very interesting to see who ended up as the shortstop of the future in Queens. My bet is on Gimenez, but Mauricio has the defensive skills and arm to remain at shortstop long term as well. That’s a good problem to have a few years down the road.

6. Adrian Hernandez, OF, Bats: R, DOB: 2/8/01, ETA 2022

2018 Stats (RK): .261/.351/.386/.737, 12 2B, 5 HR, 9 SB, 6.0 BB%, 18.2 K%, 249 AB

I have to give the Mets credit, their international scouting department is dominating lately. So much hitting talent has been signed over the last few years, with Adrian Hernandez potentially being the best of the bunch. The easiest way to describe Hernandez is a more athletic and speedy Willie Calhoun. Hernandez might only be 5’8 but packs quite the punch in his right-handed swing thanks to quick wrists and above-average raw power. Work still needs to be done with his plate discipline, but Hernandez managed to keep his strikeouts down this season which I find incredibly encouraging. Hernandez is a name on the rise that I’ll be monitoring closely as he progresses to facing more advanced hitting.

7. Freddy Valdez, OF, Bats: R, DOB: 12/6/01, ETA (Not anytime soon, AKA 2024)

2018 Stats: HAS NOT PLAYED

New tier, still can’t get out of rookie ball hitters. But there’s so many of them! This ranking could come back to bite me in the ass, but I can’t help it. The raw tools of Freddy Valdez, especially at the plate, are tantalizing. He’s already 6’3 and over 200 pounds before he turns 17 and has put on power displays during batting practice. There’s still some swing and miss tendencies here, but plenty of time to iron those out. If all goes according to plan with his development, we’re going to be looking at a 30-plus home run, middle of the order threat.

8. David Peterson, LHP, DOB: 9/3/95, ETA 2020

2018 Stats (A/A+): 128.0 IP, 3.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 8.1 K/9, .247 AVG

To be honest, this ranking might be a little low. I love Peterson’s arsenal. It’s not the arsenal of an ace, but definitely one of a future rotation staple. Peterson sits in the low-90’s with his sinking fastball and pairs that with a plus fading changeup and an above-average slider. The control and command Peterson has on his arsenal give him a fairly high floor as an innings-eating mid-rotation starter.

https://twitter.com/JTScouting/status/1026602202192916480

9. Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP, DOB: 9/27/00, ETA 2022

2018 Stats (RK): 17.1 IP, 1.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 13.5 K/9, .224 AVG

SWR is one of my favorite sleeper arms from the 2018 draft class. Okay, maybe a guy drafted in the second round isn’t technically a sleeper, but he’s definitely flying under the radar. Woods-Richardson has a solid frame and clean delivery which has helped him command his three-pitch arsenal, with all three of those pitches projected to be above-average or better. Look for him to climb the pitching ranks slowly but surely over the next couple of seasons.

10. Franklyn Kilome, RHP, DOB: 6/25/95, ETA 2019/2020

2018 Stats (AA): 140.0 IP, 4.18 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 8.0 K/9, .248 AVG

Finally, a prospect with some Double-A experience on this list. Been a while. The Mets acquired Kilome in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade, which was more than a solid return. Kilome features a mid to upper-90’s fastball and an above-average curveball but has struggled to develop a changeup or consistency with his command. If those two areas don’t progress, a move to the bullpen could be in order where Kilome would have a chance to blossom as a closer or set-up man.

11. Desmond Lindsay, OF, Bats: R, DOB: 1/5/97, ETA 2021

2018 Stats (RK/A+): .223/.317/.325/.642, 13 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 9 SB, 11.1 BB%, 26.7 K%, 314 AB

Back to the low-minors hitting prospects. Lindsay has a promising power/speed profile, but lacks the overall upside and projectability that the hitters ahead of him on this list do. He has the raw power and speed to approach some 20/20 seasons, but I question his hit tool and pitch selection moving forward. If he can make strides here in 2019, he’ll move several spots up this list next offseason. Taking a more direct swing path through the strike zone would go a long way.

12. Gavin Cecchini, 2B/SS, Bats: R, DOB: 12/22/93, ETA 2019

2018 Stats (A+/AAA): .301/.347/.469/.816, 11 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB,

We’ve been talking a lot of upside and ceilings in these rankings so far. How about we switch it up with one of those high floor prospects. There’s not a lot of exciting tools here, but Cecchini puts the ball in play and has displayed an advanced plate approach and contact skills with a clean swing. The ceiling isn’t overly high here, but Cecchini should at least develop into a solid utility infielder. Think Brock Holt with a tad more pop.

13. Anthony Kay, LHP, DOB: 3/21/95, ETA 2020

2018 Stats (A/A+): 122.2 IP, 4.26 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 9.0 K/9, .270 AVG

After missing the entire 2017 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Kay made his professional debut in 2018 with mixed results. He managed to strike out a batter per inning, but became too hittable when his fastball command wasn’t where it should be. Command is key with Kay as he doesn’t have enough velocity to overpower hitters and lacks any type of quality breaking pitch. As of now, he has back-end rotation arm written all over him.

14. Will Toffey, 3B, Bats: L, DOB: 12/31/94, ETA 2020

A strong defensive third baseman, Toffey will need to drive the ball with more regularity to fit in offensively at the hot corner. What he does have working for him is strong plate coverage and the ability to get on-base at a high clip.

15. Tony Dibrell, RHP, DOB: 11/5/95, ETA 2020

After a rough professional debut in 2017, Dibrell bounced back with a 3.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 10.1 K/9 this season for Columbia in the South Atlantic League. A low-90’s fastball and plus slider headline his four-pitch arsenal with an average curve and changeup tagging along with them. Command will be key for Dibrell as his fastball can become too straight and hittable at times.

16. Raul Beracierta, OF, Bats: R, DOB: 5/24/99, ETA 2022

A toolsy Venezuelan outfielder with a strong frame, Beracierta has displayed a strong plate approach and budding 15-20 HR pop to go along with above-average speed.

17. Jeremy Vasquez, 1B, Bats: L, DOB: 7/17/96, ETA 2020

Teammates with Peter Alonso at the University of Florida, Vasquez doesn’t nearly have the power that Alonso has (not many do), but has shown a knack for making hard contact and getting on-base. There’s a little more power upside in his bat than he’s shown thus far in the minors.

18. Christian James, RHP, DOB: 5/24/98, ETA 2020

James doesn’t have the most overpowering arsenal around but has limited contact well with his 91-95 mph fastball and mixes in three secondary offerings that all project to be average to above-average. He hasn’t missed many bats but finished 2018 with a 1.90 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, earning a promotion to Double-A Binghamton for his final start.

19. Stanley Consuegra, OF, Bats: R, DOB: 9/24/00, ETA 2023

Oh look, another recent international signing. Didn’t see that one coming. Consuegra has an intriguing power/speed profile but his overall hit tool and plate approach need some refinement.

20. Francisco Alvarez, C, DOB: 11/19/01, ETA 2024

An offensive-minded backstop, Alvarez was one of the top names in this summer’s international class. His clean swing produces a good amount of bat speed and hard contact. That should allow Alvarez to his for both average and power down the road. That’s a long damn road though. Patience will be key here.

21. Jordan Humphreys, RHP, DOB: 6/11/96, ETA 2021

Tommy John surgery cost Humphreys all of the 2018 season and put a halt to a solid start to his professional career. Humphreys lacks upside but has the control and command to at least develop into a back-end rotation type.

22. Thomas Szapucki, LHP, DOB: 6/12/96, ETA 2020

For many reasons, Szapucki is likely to end up in the bullpen. Well, three reasons. Those being control issues, durability concerns, and lack of a third pitch outside of his plus fastball/curve combination.

23. Carlos Cortes, 2B, Bats: L, DOB: 6/30/97, ETA 2021

The Mets took Cortes in the 3rd round back in June and assigned him to the short-season New York-Penn League. Cortes held his own hitting .264 with four homers in 47 games and has the offensive upside to become a starting infielder in time.

24. David Thompson, 3B, Bats: R, DOB: 8/28/93, ETA 2020

A 4th round pick in 2015, Thompson has been a steady contributor throughout his minor league career. The hit tool has improved and there’s enough power for 25 homers annually. We could see him in Queens this summer if an injury or two crop up in the Mets infield.

25. Ali Sanchez, C, Bats: R, DOB: 1/20/97, ETA 2020/2021

When talking about the best defensive catchers in the minors, Sanchez is firmly in the conversation. He just doesn’t have the offensive upside to match. Sanchez has made some strides lately and doesn’t strikeout a while ton, but the offensive potential is in the Christian Vazquez range right now with a tad more power.

New York Mets Top-25 Prospects