Jonathan Mayo is not the end-all-be-all of prospect evaluation, but he is the head of MLB.com’s Prospect Pipeline. Additionally, many analysts weigh opinions and statistical evidence to catalog the Top 100 Prospect list, and the Top 10 Position rankings, so it’s not just one man’s take. It is fair to say then, the Mets strong showing in both recent publications is not without due process and merit. For that reason, Mets fans should be very happy indeed about the future of this team.
Of the 2015 Top 100 Prospects according to Mayo and MLB.com, the Mets have five players on that list, and rank ninth in the (admittedly flawed) Prospect Points chart, where each player is giving a point value relative to his position on the list. To no one’s surprise, Noah Syndergaard is the Mets highest ranked prospect at number 10 overall, and third-best pitcher on the entire list. Not too shabby. Then we move on to the bottom half of the list, where guys like Kevin Plawecki (63), Steven Matz (66), Brandon Nimmo (72), and Michael Conforto (82) show up.
If the story ended there, it would be a nice publicity day for the Mets. When you take a look at the Top 10 Position rankings, the picture gets even rosier. Plawecki ranks sixth-best in catching, the still extremely young Dominic Smith ranks 4th in first basemen, the very-toolsy Dilson Herrera ranks 4th for second basemen, Matz is the eighth-best left-hander, and Syndergaard is the second-best right-hander. Considering that this represents the cream of the crop for the Mets minor league system, and that most of these players will have an impact in the next year or two, and hopefully beyond, it gives even the most pessimistic Mets fan hope for tomorrow.
Amed Rosario, Marcos Molina and Jhoan Urena are just a few other names that could rocket up the Mets list of prospect in the very near future as well, giving the Mets one of the deepest farms in all of baseball. It’s important to remember these things, especially when we fans continually complain about the money being spent on older veterans who probably won’t make an enormous long-term impact. If taken on a grander scale, these signings are merely placeholders for when the young guys are ready to take over. Herrera is the perhaps the best signal of that approach. At just 20, he saw his first cup of coffee at the big league level, and showed enough pop and athleticism to raise plenty of eyebrows. Likewise, Syndergaard and Nimmo are just 22, Rosario will be 19 for the entire 2015 season, Smith will turn 20, and Plawecki and Matz are the old guys at 24.
It all helps make the rather expensive signings of Michael Cuddyer, Bartolo Colon and even Curtis Granderson a bit more tolerable. Those veterans will be around to usher in the new guys and help them figure out how to win. Ultimately though, it will be up to this group of youngsters to win a championship. Couple them with the strong talent already on the team; Travis d’Arnaud, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, and maybe, just maybe Wilmer Flores. That’s a team that could be formidable for the foreseeable future, not just a couple of years.
Not everyone will pan out of course, but these guys are predicted to be major contributors, not just minor role players. Herrera, again, is the epitome of this. He showed hints of very solid defense last year, and more than one source has claimed he’s a future All-Star. Plawecki could either be a fantastic backup at catcher or could bring in even more young talent in a trade. Matz and Syndergaard look to anchor the back end of maybe the best young rotation in baseball. And an outfield comprising Conforto, Juan Lagares and Nimmo from left to right could potentially be one of the 10 best outfields in the game in just a few short years.
This is not huge news to many readers of Mets360, and ardent Mets fans throughout the blogosphere. It does serve as a nice wake-up for the passer-by fans, or even folks from other cities who still think the Mets are a second-class squad. Maybe they still are at the moment, but that elusive corner is just in sight. Mayo and his compatriots aren’t telling us something we don’t already know, but they are saying it on a very public and respected stage. That in itself means something.
Hmm? No Puello? I think 2015 is going to be a make or break year for him
I think I read he is out out of options? So if he doesn’t make the club he’s a free agent.
Prospects are great not just for the future, but also the present…as trade bait. We only have room for 5 starters. Keep 7, say in case of injury. We don’t need to carry 9 when we have other needs. This team has a window of about 3 years while Wright is still performing and while all these young pitchers are still affordable. Package a few for one really good hitter in his prime and you’re looking at a playoff team.
Patrick, I am not too confident about Nimmo. He is not good against lefties, he hasn’t hit for a high average, he doesn’t hit for power and he doesn’t have a strong arm. He does walk. Ok, what else? I understand he’s young, but Sardinas had better numbers as a speedy SS with a great glove and Alderson passed on him.
I would have loved to see them get Will Myers since he really didn’t bring back any upper prospects. I understand that he has flaws, but his youth gives him an advantage of time. Would have loved it. He was hurt last year!
Agree with everything you just said. I am not high on Nimmo either. Other then walks and OBS not much else there and strikes out way to much at low levels. And Meyers there was enough depth to get him from the Rays without hurting the team. Should have made a run because he has proven himself and has shot to be a star.