This offseason Brian Joura and I both turned in Top 50 prospect rankings.  I ranked Patrick Mazeika 12th overall and Brian ranked him 33rd.  Neither of us thought that he couldn’t hit, Brian merely had no faith in Mazeika’s power, saying:

 

“Lefty-hitting catcher, good AVG, no power.”

 

Where as I described him as:

 

“Mazeika is a hitting catcher with power and patience at the plate.”

 

One of these things is not like the other.  How could two Met pundits look at the same player and have vastly different views on his potential?  The answer lies entirely with Mazeika’s lackluster 2016 season.

 

In 2016, Mazeika played in 70 games for the Columbia Fireflies and amassed a total of 239 at bats.  A similar sample to the 62 games he played for Kingsport in 2015 when he hit .354/.451/.540 only in 2016 he only managed .305/.414/.402 which is a darn bit worse.  So why was 2016 such a bad year for him?

 

Higher Level of Competition: At the age of 21 he was likely a good deal older than a number of the players he face in Kingsport in 2015.

 

The SAL: The Mets may be out of Savannah, the worst hitter’s ballpark in the minors, but they are still in a pitcher friendly league.

 

Health: If you look, Mazeika only played about half a season and the first 25 games were likely played with an injury.  His numbers in the second half of 2016 are much better than those in the first half.

 

Now 23, he is hitting .368/.426/.632 for Advanced A Port St. Lucie.  His numbers with runners in scoring position is even better.  The contact is there, the patience is there and so is the power.  Time will tell if Mazeika belonged at 12th or 33rd in the player rankings but right now it looks like he’s going to be a Top 10 this offseason.

 

AAA: Las Vegas 51s

 

Amed Rosario looking more and more tempting – With Asdrubal Cabrera’s injury it becomes harder and harder for the Mets to keep him in AAA.  Another solid offensive week.

 

Dominic Smith has a slow week – In his last 10 games he only hit .205 but it’s nothing to get worried about.

 

Gavin Cecchini getting back in swing – He hit .295 this week and is getting his batting average back where it belongs.

 

Travis Taijeron looking better – He’s both hitting and not striking out every game.  I’m pleased with that.

 

Desmond Jennings might be ready – Signed to play a bench role, Jennings appears to be up to speed and ready for action if the Mets need another righty outfielder.

 

Brandon Nimmo needs some time – He’s healthy but his first four games in Vegas have not been good.

 

Tyler Pill’s scoreless streak comes to an end – 37.1 IP and only 1 ER is still pretty great.

 

 

AA: Binghamton Rumble Ponies

 

P.J. Conlon tosses a gem – 7.0 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk and 9 strikeouts.  Nice!

 

Luis Guillorme is still hitting – He has a .333 batting average over the last 10 games with 6 walks and 2 stolen bases.

 

Corey Oswalt keeps on rocking on – Another week and another strong outing.

 

Tim Peterson spotless – His WHIP is crazy low and it’s only a matter of time before the Mets toss him up to the wolves of AAA to see if it’s real.

 

A+: Port St. Lucie Mets

 

Justin Dunn, there’s something wrong – Nothing is working and if you are a Dunn believer you may need to check facts.

 

Wuilmer Becerra from bad to worse – Not only has he hit a measley .158 but he struck out 15 times in the last 10 games.

 

Peter Alonso out – He has not played since 4/11.

 

Jhoan Urena keeps going – He hit .343 this week and seems primed to move to Binghamton this season.

 

Anthony Dimino just knows how to hit – He’s on a tear and getting on base at a scary good rate.

 

Nabil Crismatt rights the ship – Nothing fancy but a strong outing after a few shaky ones is all we wanted to see.

 

A: Columbia Fireflies

 

Desmond Lindsay … sigh – What is wrong?  I wish I could say what the issue is but he’s just not seeing the ball well.

 

Tim Tebow empty average numbers – As old as he is compared to the competition he should expect more of himself.

 

Andres Gimenez wants you to meet him – 7 games into his stateside debut and he’s boasting a .924 OPS.

 

Jordan Humphreys has power – 40 strikeouts in 31.2 innings but he’s starting to give up more hits… so watch out.

 

9 comments on “Mets Minors: Patrick Mazeika looking like a top prospect

  • Chris F

    David, whats happening with Rosario on defense? Ive been reading little blurbs he is making a lot of errors.

    • David Groveman

      The Las Vegas infield is supposedly notoriously difficult. I’m not sure what that means, having never been to the field but Cecchini also had issue playing shortstop there.

      Rosario grades out as above average defensively at the position. I’m not concerned.

  • LongTimeFan1

    David Groveman –

    it’s not that complicated about Mazeika. He’s hit very well at every level.

    But he was sporting a Josh Thole slap swing quashing power.

    As Mazeika’s overall mechanics and arm action have improved, so has over the fence power.

    There was no way you could rightly predict power with those previous mechanics. You’re just lucky he’s now sporting better mechanics.

    • David Groveman

      Lucky like a fox 😉

  • Jimmy P

    The Lindsay and Dunn performances are disappointing and concerning.

    • David Groveman

      You’re not wrong.

  • Eraff

    Lindsay is Walking and Striking out… Dunn is walking guys and not striking them out. Dunn’s a college pitcher an picked at the top of the draft…more alarming.

  • mikeyrad

    Any news on Szapucki? Will we see him this year?

    • David Groveman

      The only thing I’ve been able to confirm is that when he’s healthy the Mets plan to send him to Columbia.

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