Looking ahead: Mock drafts for the Mets’ 10th pick

It’s never too early to dream about the draft.  Here are a look at players who fall in mock drafts near where the Mets will be picking:

Jacob Gatewood – SS – 6’5”, 190 Lbs (HS): Gatewood is huge for a shortstop and most people would be mad not to project a shift to third base or the outfield.  His power potential is huge and he draws obvious comparisons to Troy Tulowitzki.  The thing that will likely make Gatewood too much of a reach for the Mets is that he’s got pretty good defense already and while he might not stick at shortstop he will find a defensive home.  That adds up to him being off the board ahead of the Mets pick.

Brady Aiken – LHP – 6’4”, 205 Lbs (HS): I don’t think the Mets would object to a highly talented lefty who projects to reach a major league rotation at a faster rate than your average high school arm.  Aiken’s fastball sits in the higher 80s and lower 90s but he has advanced (for his age and development) breaking pitches (changeup and curve ball) that would likely see him in the NYP instead of the GCL or APP if the Mets snagged him.  He’s committed to UCLA and he’s got to be on a number of radars so he’s no safe bet for the Mets.

Braxton Davidson – 1B – 6’3”, 215 Lbs (HS): Meet this year’s Dominic Smith.  Had the Mets not selected Smith in 2013 there’d be some sense in them looking at Davidson, who might be the best available bat when they pick.  As it stands this would be a mistake only because he’s defensively limited and would not work well in the outfield.

Michael Gettys – OF – 6’2”, 205 Lbs (HS): Gettys projects as a solid outfielder.  Right now, he’s put in centerfield but his build is already a little strange for a “burner”.  That being said, he’s fast and has more experience swiping bags then Brandon Nimmo got in Wyoming.  His hitting profiles him to be a great contact hitter with good line-drive power.  His defense suggests to me a plus-plus right fielder.  He throws 94 MPH off the mound, but he’s not going to be drafted as a pitcher.  He was listed as the #10 pick in a few drafts but he’s been talked about as high as the top 5.

Aaron Nola – RHP – 6’4”, 183 Lbs (Louisiana State University): Nola is one of those names that totally bores me.  Note here: Matt Harvey totally bored me.  He throws in the low 90’s with a four pitch mix (Fastball, 2-seemer, power curve and changeup) and a deceptive offering.  He could probably reach the majors in 2-3 years.  He’d be a safer pick for getting some value out of their top pick but he’s not one of those “sexy picks” that make fans excited the way Gatewood might.

Touki Toussaint – RHP – 6’2”,195 LBs (HS): The guy has an awesome name and a huge arm.  He will probably tick the occaisional triple digit on the gun and sit in the mid-90’s but… is he a thrower (as opposed to a pitcher)?  He’s supposed to also boast a superior curve ball and with two pitches he could dominate the lower levels of the minors.  He’s just slightly under-sized but he could still grow.

Derek Fisher – OF – 6’3”, 210 Lbs (University of Virginia): Here is a college outfielder with some pedigree that could be making his way to a major league roster by 2016.  He’s got a good bat and a good amount of power to make it matter.  His power is his best tool and while he’ll steal some bases and play adequate defense, he’s a guy you’d want in left field because he comes with only an average arm.

Grant Holmes – RHP – 6’2”, 190 Lbs (HS): With room to grow, Holmes has a fastball that sits between 93-96 MPH on the radar gun.  He also has the makings of a plus power curveball and changeup but they are both works in progress.  He is definitely not hitting spots and instead throwing to zones.  It is fine in a player of his age.  He’s a longer project and only has a large chance of not being better than the safer pick, Nola.  He’s been listed as the #10 pick on a few drafts.  I’d understand the pick and be okay with it but it would not excite me.

Sean Newcomb – LHP – 6’5”, 240 Lbs (University of Hartford): His fastball alone makes him special.  He’s a lefty who sits in the mid 90s and can reach back and give you 97 MPH.  It’s described as a heavy pitch (think sinker).  That would be good on its own but his slider is even better.  It’s already described as a plus pitch and could become plus-plus with more development.  This could become a career defining pitch.  He also has a changeup that he’s got a lot of work left on.  The drawback on Newcomb is that he will walk players even with work on his control.  It’s okay if he can learn to compensate, but it is good to know.  I would be happy to get a player like Newcomb who would jump up and become the top lefty arm in the Met minors.

Nick Gordon – SS – 6’2”, 170 Lbs (HS): Nick Gordon is a lot like Dee Gordon (back when Dee was drafted).  He’s got great fielding and speed that should help him stick to the position but his bat will need to get him on base enough to use it.  He’s not without power, but I’d wager he won’t quite have what Jose Reyes showed in his tenure with the Mets.  His speed is good, but it’s not Billy Hamilton good.  If the Mets drafted him you can wipe Gavin Cecchini off your top 10 prospect lists as the Mets would be showing that they’re not expecting him to be a starting player.

The players that would excite me would be Gatewood, Gettys and Newcomb (in that order).  The only player I listed who I wouldn’t be happy with is Davidson who doesn’t fit the Mets needs at present.  These 10 names will move around a lot before draft time comes around but they are names to put onto your early radar.