Why can’t any of these elbows stay healthy? Why is Dr. Nick still the head of the Mets medical staff?!? I kid, I kid Mets fans! Or do I? Seriously, I’m not 100% joking, you know it, I know it, Fred Wilpon’s tailor knows it. The Mets have done an unbelievable job of messing up a good thing. They are not only in one of the biggest media markets on earth, they have a passionate, and loyal fanbase. Yet, due to mismanagement on a gargantuan scale, they’ve come to be known as the cash strapped neighbors of the Yankees. The Mets have screwed up a golden generation of pitchers, to the point that their players’ elbows are a punchline. It’s not just their major league rotation either, there’s at least three players below with elbow injuries. Perhaps some of it’s bad luck, maybe there’s a curse, or it’s just a thing called Mets. Dude, they’re still paying Bobby Bonilla!!! Mets fans are good people, I know a few. This is for you, because with the yawn inspiring nature of this system, I needed something to keep me going. Anyway, this is one of the weaker systems in the game, it’s the New York Mets Top Prospects for 2018 Fantasy Baseball.
1) Peter Alonso, 1B | Age: 23 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .289/.359/.524, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 3 SB
One of these days I’ll fall in-line and quit these righthanded hitting first basemen, but today is not that day. Alonso is number one in the Mets system, not because he’s an all world talent, but because he’s the only bat in the system above A ball with a true carrying offensive tool. That carrying tool just so happens to be plus plus raw power that manifests itself in hard contact and impressive exit velocities. He led the Florida State League in homers at the time of his promotion to AA, despite missing the first month plus with a hand injury. He should see assignment to AA Binghamton out of camp, but should touch AAA, with an outside chance he sees some time in Flushing this summer. All fields power, approach, and an above average hit tool, lead me to believe Alonso is a future fantasy relevant corner bat. ETA: 2019
2) Mark Vientos, SS | Age: 18 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .262/.318/.398, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 0 SB
One of the youngest players in the 2017 draft, Vientos pairs hitting ability, projectable power, and baseball IQ, with the defensive chops to stick on the leftside of the infield. His quick, lofty swing is easy to fall in love with, and the strength of his hands is evident upon first glance. He flashed more power in the GCL than he had previously shown in the prep ranks, and there’s reason to believe his power could continue to grow into the mid-20’s variety. The size of his frame (6’4 190), paired with his lack of footspeed should lead to a move to third. Has the bat and upside to develop into a top 50 prospect. Good stash in dynasty if you can wait 3+ years. ETA: 2021
3) Andres Gimenez, SS | Age: 19 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .265/.346/.349, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 14 SB
Let’s get this out of the way right up front. Gimenez can hit, his bat is incredibly advanced for his age, and his numbers were more than respectable for an 18 year old in full season ball. That said, the Venezuelan teenager looks very much to me like the dreaded empty hit tool type. There is some power there, but not much, more of the gap variety. His speed is middle of the road, at best, and it barely plays in A ball right now, and he’s a teenager. This is one of those times where real life deviates from fantasy, as the intangibles, and defensive skills in the middle infield don’t do a thing to move the needle in this context. An encouraging set of skills leads me to believe there’s some upside beyond what he’s shown, but the bat will have to max out to get there. He looks like a future big leaguer, just not one you’ll care much about for fantasy. ETA: 2021
4) David Peterson, LHP | Age: 22 | Level: A- | 2017 Stats: 0-0, 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 6 K, 1 Bb
The Mets first rounder in the most recent draft, Peterson is a big bodied lefty, with three average or better pitches, and above average control. He ranked 36th in my 2017 First Year Player Draft rankings, and here’s what I said there. “He’s not hurt yet! That’s the best news I can give any Mets fan about a pitcher, or person with body parts, affiliated with their team. The Oregon ace went to the Mets in the first round, he brings to the table a polished, close to the majors, mid-rotation profile. His four pitch arsenal is comprised of a low 90’s fastball, a nasty slider that haunts lefties over and over again, a changeup that flashes plus, and a fringe curveball. His command is plus and his control is tremendous. Should limit walks, and miss enough bats to be a fantasy relevant starter in 12 team leagues at peak, if he reaches his ceiling. Well, at least before his first TJ.” ETA: 2019
5) Ronny Mauricio, SS | Age: 16 | Level: N/A | 2017 Stats: Did Not Play
This is kind of where we’re at with the Mets system, I’m ranking a 16 year old shortstop in the top five. Weak system or not, Mauricio is pretty special. To say he has the highest upside of any player in the system is an understatement. A switch-hitting power bat at the shortstop position, with the body and frame to grow into plus game pop. There’s a strong chance he moves over to third as his body fills out, which is really not much different than Mark Vientos. He’s a far off, draft and stash in deeper dynasties, but a worthy investment at the right price. ETA: 2022
6) Desmond Lindsay, OF | Age: 21 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .220/.327/.388, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 4 SB
A tooled up outfielder that can’t stay on the field, Lindsay flashes his potential in spurts of health. He’s had an abundance of injuries dating back to high school. Long running hamstring problems, vision problems, and an elbow injury that ended his 2017. Baseball America’s prospect handbook mentions a corrected contact lens prescription that led to a late surge pre-elbow surgery. Over that final 27 games Lindsay slashed .300/.352/.560 connecting for 6 of his 8 homers. I like Lindsay on paper; a lightning quick bat, easy all fields power, and athleticism, but his murky injury history makes him a tough buy. ETA: 2021
7) Justin Dunn, RHP | Age: 22 | Level: A+ | 2017 Stats: 5-6, 95 IP, 5.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 75 Ks, 48 Bb
A college reliever turned starter, that went on a fairy tale run his final season at Boston College. Selected 19th overall by the Mets in the 2016 draft, Dunn’s first full season of pro ball was rough to say the least. It takes no more than a gander at the above statline to realize that. Lefties destroyed Dunn, as they feasted on him for a .926 OPS, and figuring out his split issues is paramount to any big league future. He has fluid mechanics, and delivers the ball from a three quarters arm slot, with smooth athletic movements. His fastball sits 92-96 with some late sink, he pairs that with a hard breaking slider that runs away from righties and in on lefties. Right now Dunn’s changeup is fringe, and the development of that pitch is the key to his future in the rotation, and quite possibly an answer to his problem versus lefthanded batters. Floor is a nice pen arm, but the ceiling is a number three starter. ETA: 2020
8) Thomas Szapucki, LHP | Age: 21 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: 1-2, 29 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 27 Ks, 10 Bb
Pour out a little liquor for the career of Szapucki. He’s dealt with shoulder, back, and now an elbow injury that required TJ. When Szapucki is on he’s as nasty as they come, mixing a plus fastball with a hard breaking slider, an average curveball, and a fringe changeup. Looks like we won’t see the lefty until 2019. Safe Travels Puck! ETA: 2020
9) Quinn Brodey, OF | Age: 22 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .253/.302/.355, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB
A third rounder out of Stanford, Brody was a two way player before focusing his efforts on the outfield. He brings to the table above average raw power, some base-stealing ability, and across the board average tools. Not the most exciting player, but he offers some multi-category fantasy potential if he can max out his bat. ETA: 2020
Other Prospects with all of their body parts: Marcos Molina, Anthony Kay, Adrian Hernandez, Thomas Nido, Chris Flexen, Jordan Humphreys, Tyler Bashlor
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
