Amed RosarioAmed Rosario, SS: At the age of 20, between A+ and AA baseball, Rosario has made tremendous strides for himself in 2016. His OPS for the year is .836 and unlike prospects like Wilmer Flores who may have hit but never fit into the field, he looks like a bonafide shortstop. The biggest flaw in his game continues to diminish as his patience at the plate is improving over time. (ETA – 2017)

Brandon Nimmo, OF: Met fans got the chance to see Nimmo for a short glimpse while Michael Conforto got some hacks in AAA to get back in the groove. Nimmo has had a solid season in AAA himself and has looked very good since returning to the minors. He has 12 hits in his first seven games back and he’s also hit a pair of home runs. (ETA – 2016)

Dominic Smith, 1B: As much as we’ve spoken disappointingly about Smith in 2016, there are more reasons to be pleased with his performance than you might think. His OPS is above his career average and he’s hit more home runs in 2016 than he did in 2013, 2014 and 2015 combined. (ETA – 2017)

Gavin Cecchini, SS: The reason the Mets are not clamoring to see Cecchini in the majors just yet is that his offense has spiked, just as his defense has taken a nosedive. You’d think that a shortstop who could hit for a high average and get on base frequently would be pretty helpful to the Mets but the .916 Fielding Percentage will not translate into anything very good in the majors. (ETA – 2016)

Desmond Lindsay, OF: Getting a late start to his season Lindsay is now playing for the Cyclones and looking pretty sharp doing it. It’s a very difficult league for hitters but there is every reason to believe that Lindsay will be a team leader of offense in 2016. He’s got a mix of speed and power that unfortunately reminds Met fans of Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and other failed outfield prospects but not every 5-Tool Player is going to be a flop. (ETA – 2020)

Justin Dunn, SP: The Mets drafted Dunn 19th overall in the 2016 draft and assigned him to Brooklyn. He hasn’t been fully stretched out yet but his early returns show lots of promise. If you have the chance, run out to Brooklyn and give this talented kid a look. (ETA – 2019)

David Thompson, 3B/1B: In the first half of the year Thompson proved to be the offensive force behind the Columbia Fireflies, which earned him a promotion to St. Lucie. He battled through a few minor injuries but proved to have a strong and steady bat while playing solidly at 3rd. Scouts still think he might eventually be forced to play across the diamond but so far, so good for Thompson. (ETA – 2019)

Thomas Szapucki, SP: Is anyone getting tired of me extolling the vuirtues of Szapucki? I’m not! He pitched so well in 29.0 innings in Kingsport that he earned himself a promotion to Brooklyn. His first start after the promotion went equally well as he scattered his hits and walks and struck out 8 batters over 5.1 innings. (ETA – 2021)

Kevin Plawecki, C: Can we still call Plawecki a prospect? Not really, but we might forget that he’s talent the Mets currently have in the farm system. The reason Plawecki is in AAA and not backing up Travis d’Arnaud is simple. Plawecki is too good to be playing once every 3-5 games. I expect the Mets to trade Plawecki for something to help them reach the playoffs in 2016. (ETA – N/A)

P.J. Conlon, SP: If you claim that you had this Irish born lefty on your high priority radar prior to 2016, you’re probably lying. Conlon has been a dynamic revelation for the Mets who saw their last “Ace” prospect (Steven Matz) ascend to the majors in 2015. He’s not on the same level as the pitchers of the Matt Harvey generation but he’s more than just a filler at the back-end of the rotation. (ETA – 2018)

Andrew Church, SP: We had all pretty much forgotten about Church after his 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons were all disappointments. Somehow 2016 has become his year, spending time in both Columbia and Port St. Lucie. The results for the Fireflies have been phenomenal but even when he was in A+, and a little overmatched, he held his own. (ETA – 2020)

Dilson Herrera, 2B: Like Plawecki, there is some amount of issue with calling Herrera a prospect. He’s been in the majors a few times and failed to impress and there are several holes in his game that have kept him from ascending to the majors to help the Mets at Citi Field but Herrera is still talented and does still factor into the Met’s plans for their future infield. He’s still got a good amount of speed and power and the last time I checked, that was good for quite a lot. (ETA: N/A)

Kevin Kaczmarski, OF: In 2015, when Kaczmarski rocked the Rookie League, I didn’t get too excited because he was 23 and older than most of the players. In 2016 he’s played well enough to ascend to Port St. Lucie where, at 24, he’s about on par with the average age of the league. He’s also got a 1.047 OPS through his first 12 games. (ETA – 2018)

Harol Gonzalez, SP: When you throw 42.0 innings, manage a Sub 3.00 ERA and have a K/9 firmly North of 9.0, you’re doing something right. Gonzalez is doing all those things and more! He also has kept players off the basepaths with a crisp 0.91 WHIP and a tidy .181 Opp AVG. (ETA – 2021)

Peter Alonso, 1B: Hitting in the NYP is hard. Many Met players who have succeeded in the majors have shown very little in Brooklyn. Alonso hasn’t followed that model. He’s managed a .987 OPS in his 15 game debut into the majors. Add that he’s shown a solid eye at the plate and the Mets may not have been crazy to select a guy with the defensive versatility of David Ortiz. (ETA – 2020)

Nabil Crismatt, SP: Why do we opine about Crismatt so much? In five seasons with the Mets (between the DSL and NYP) he’s amassed a career WHIP of 0.98 and struck out 196 batters in 183.0 innings. He’s starting for the Cyclones and has 24 strikeouts over his last three starts. Crismatt is a name your will continue to hear in the future. (ETA – 2020)

23 comments on “Mets Minors: Amed Rosario and other talented farmhands

  • Jimmy P

    Nice recap, and gives one hope.

    The guys farther away always look better.

    • David Groveman

      A few guys who aren’t even that far away.

  • Jimmy P

    If system was top shelf, we’d go out and get Lacroy without thinking twice. I don’t believe that guys like Nimmo and Cecchini get it done. I’d flip Herrera. Not sure what to make of Smith. Want to keep Rosario. And overall, the Mets pitching is very thin. I would not surrender Wheeler.

    Meanwhile, the Rangers have an A+ system. The only hope is that they are focusing their resources on pitching.

    Wi be interesting to watch. The Brewers are not compelled to make a deal at this time; they could another year. Or the off-season, when suiters will multiply.

    None of these decisions are easy. And the Mets are right there in the thick of things. I wish we had more chips.

    • Chris F

      The chips are definitely on the short side. Even Smith and Rosario top out at 55/80 on the grading scale, a long way from the top of the prospect list. That gets you above average every day major leaguer in projection. I think we’d all take that at SS, but as excited as we all are for Rosario, he’s 67th on the mlb pipeline and not even a top 10 SS prospect.

      Shelby Miller is now in the minors! and in consideration for DFA – maybe we should think about him? I think Dbax ready to unload.

      Also listening to White Sox beat guy on radio today who mentioned Frazier to Mets…

      • Jimmy P

        I am always surprised that you of all people is so high on Frazier, after a season of ranting against the too-homer-reliant offense.

        Frazier would be the ultimate double-down on the approach. Low BA, tons of K’s, big power. Meanwhile you were against taking on Reyes for free. The inconsistency is confusing to me.

        Again, as I’ve said before, last winter it was completely unrealistic to imagine the Mets pursuing Frazier. David Wright had earned this shot and was under contract for like $90+ million dollars. You couldn’t just pretend he didn’t exist anymore. It would be unconscionable and wildly unrealistic. In 2016, he earned the opportunity to be Plan A, even when many of us felt that it would not work out in the long run. He’s an all-time great Met; you have to honor that.

        I don’t think Frazier fits. I wonder, off-hand, how he compares offensively to Lucas Duda.

        • Chris F

          Im not “anti” HR, rather I believe in a balanced line up, and I like power in several positions, 3B included. I like Frazier because he is dependable for RH power and can play the position. Is he Arenado or Machado? no. But Id have zero issue penciling him at 3B every day. I dont think Reyes has the chops to play 3B at an elite level, and I would never have signed him because I think his personal actions are reprehensible. Im not good at separating those kinds of things, which in practically all other work places in the world would get you, rightly, fired permanently. Besides his <.300 OBP isnt a ton to be too excited about.

          As for Wright, Ive been a huge fan for a long time. I was big supporter of his extension, and with no regrets. But no one else understands what it takes to do that job right, and there is no way to envision what he is facing that he would be able to do so ever again. Wright could have been moved to 1B if for nothing but for his health and platooned righty lefty with Duda. Those things can happen — ask Chipper Jones or Ryan Zimmerman.

  • Eraff

    You say Dilson hasn’t impressed— I’ve been impressed! As for the Squaks about Smith…I’m not a huge Smith Fan, but he’s competed well in every league he’s played (at a 2-4 year disadvantage).

    Rosario? Age…Stats..Rep… are there 10 Prospect SS’s ranked ahead?…Wow!!!

  • TexasGusCC

    The Mets farm system isn’t what it was a couple of years ago, but it has quite a bit of lower level talent. Champ Stuart is a great CF fit in AA if he can continue to cut down on the strikeouts. Also, pitchers Gabriel Yona (AAA), Robert Gsellman (AAA) and Marcos Molina (injured A ball) are a few of the righty pitchers that have done well.

    • Jimmy P

      Gus, your optimism about Stuart is impressive. Others would have been scared off by his .176 BA last season in A ball. Personally I have zero hopes for him.

      Every organization will produce ML players. And even pitchers in the Dillon Gee mold are nothing to sneer about. But I’ve always leaned toward “stars” over “depth.” Molina is interesting, because he showed flashes of being a frontline talent. I am drawn to live arms and plus fastballs.

      Mets have a spot start coming up, and will have to choose between Lugo, Ynoa, Gsellman, and possibly Montero (I know, I know). I’ll be curious to take a look.

      • Metsense

        Last year I saw Champ Stuart run and he is laser fast. I also saw him hit. I will be surprised if he makes it to the majors. To his credit, he has raised his OPS and has improved his hitting this year.
        Montero, with a strong showing on Monday, slots in well for Saturday’s start.Gilmartin is injured. Ynoa has a good start then one bad start. I would give Montero his last chance and throw him a life preserver before he drowns. Just maybe he will swim.

    • Brian Joura

      In repeating Hi-A, Stuart went from a 36.9 to a 30.1 K%. That’s improvement, for sure, but there is still a long way to go. For a point of reference, Kirk Nieuwenhuis had a 21.6 K% at the same level.

      Stuart had a .387 BABIP in Hi-A and has a .433 mark currently in Double-A, with the former being the top rate in the league among qualified hitters. The hits simply won’t fall in at this rate going forward. And he’s struck out 24 times in 55 ABs in Double-A.

  • Eraff

    Montero is an interesting case…from the Flailing Production to the Public Floggings to the “demotion”.

    I am truly just guessing that Vegas may be a a better place for Fireballers to “wait” while they put some finishing touches on their craft. The idea that your curve looses “bite” when your FB is 95-99 is one thing—so, you get hurt a few more times. A low mid 90’s guy working on location and a third pitch may find a tough time without some feedback loop of success with developing a pitch mix.

    Hopefully, for Montero, what Happened in Vegas will Stay in Vegas!!!

    • Brian Joura

      Well, let’s not pretend that Montero didn’t have success in Vegas. His performance there in 2013 and 2014 was excellent.

      He hasn’t been the same since the shoulder injury. Maybe he get it back but I wouldn’t wager anything on that at this point.

      • Chris F

        I came across an old thread from earlier this year when I placed a bet with you that Montero would not be int the system by the end of the season. I may eat my hat on this, as usual when we bet, but that Montero is Jeckyll and Hyde at AA is truly a sign the Mets must be close to cutting ties.

  • David Groveman

    Great to see so many people chiming in! Some interesting comments and I wanted to respond to a few.

    I think J. Lucroy might help the Mets in 2016 but I think trading Travis d’Arnaud + Prospects is way too much for him. d’Arnaud has been hitting lately and I still have faith.

    While T. Frazier isn’t “my guy” I would be happy with any type of true solution at third. The Mets don’t really have anyone for the position unless Wilmer Flores makes incredible leaps in production.

    Champ Stuart is one of the fastest players in the Met system but he isn’t a special prospect.

    Las Vegas is a tough place to have our AAA affiliate and I don’t like it. It discounts the hitting stats and destroys pitcher confidence. I dream about the Mets being allowed to move the team to the Newark Bear’s (currently unused) stadium. (FWIW this is a move that appears to be legally blocked by the New York Yankees somehow)

    • Brian Joura

      I believe teams have 50 miles that another team can’t move without express written consent. The Mets used this to block the Yankees from playing in Newark for a year.

      http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2011/09/izenberg_mets_blocked_yankees_plan.html

      It’s hard to imagine the Yankees ever allowing the Mets to move a club within the territory after the crappy way they handled that.

    • Jimmy P

      On Lacroy, it depends on the prospects. I would not go overboard there. But the Mets do have a minor glut at 2B (counting Flores, Herrera, Cecchini).

      I still really like d’Arnaud, too.

      Mets control Reyes next season, too.

      I hope the Mets can work something out with David Wright. Last I heard, he sounded hopeful and determined to make it back next season. Such a difficult situation for the organization; they still owe him, contractually, a boatload of money if he proves healthy enough to function. This doesn’t make Wright a villain, but it would all be so much easier if he’d just disappear. Barring that, it’s extremely hard to bring in a high-priced replacement. What do you do with DW?

  • Eraff

    LuCroy is a nice ballplayer…I’d love to see him on a re-tooled roster. I just don;t think the “cure” is a better hitting Catcher—and LuCroy is not a Mike Piazza, after all.

    The team has 40 some games scoring 2 runs— the :”since april” stat line at LF, 3b, 2b, SS is absolutely rotten. The combination of long stretches of Injuries, the overlap of the Walker/Conforto slumps….it’s difficult to imagine that the last 60 games could compare to the futility of the first 100.

    Dump DeAza—get a RH OF’er…pray for The Arms.

  • Chris F

    Great news on this front: Mid-season prospects update puts Amed Rosario as the Mets #1, and he’s improved to #7 best SS prospect in the land.

    Stock keep rising.

    • Chris F

      I just noticed….not only that, Rosario has moved from 67th to 18th in the MLB. So good. Next year!

      • Metsense

        And according to Adam Rubin,Rosario also moved to the disabled list with a injured leg. Dominic Smith moved to the bench for not running out a ground ball. He did this at a time when other teams are checking out the Mets minor league players for a deadline trade.

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