Keith Law, prospect guru of ESPN, released his rankings of all 30 MLB farm systems yesterday, with the Mets system coming in sixth. Only the Astros, Twins, Pirates, Cubs and Red Sox ranked higher.
The pitching depth that the Mets have been able to add coupled with the hauls from the R.A. Dickey and Marlon Byrd trades contributed to the high ranking.
Last year, the Mets system ranked 14th, and in 2012, 22nd.
Law had this to say about the system (courtesy of Mets Minor League Blog):
“The turnaround in this system is remarkable, especially when you consider they have not had a top-10 pick since they took Matt Harvey in 2010, and it puts the Mets in excellent shape relative to the other four teams in their division.
“The decisions to trade R.A. Dickey and Marlon Byrd look even better in hindsight. The Mets also have one of the minors’ best collections of pitchers who throw strikes but aren’t strictly finesse guys.”
Now I like prospects just as much (read: more) than the next guy, and this high ranking is certainly encouraging for the future, but let’s not confuse a high minor league ranking with success.
While I’m usually optimistic about prospects, I do realize there is absolutely zero guarantee that anybody currently in the system pans out.
As much as I like Sandy Alderson as the GM and think he’s done a good job given the circumstances he’s had to work with, the on-field product has to improve this year before I go and give his reign an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Improving the minor leagues from a barren wasteland (save Matt Harvey) when he took over, to a talent-rich system like it is now is a great accomplishment, but it means absolutely nothing if it doesn’t start translating to success at the major league level. Zack Wheeler, Travis d’Arnaud, and Wilmer Flores all have to improve this year, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Rafael Montero need to graduate AAA and the team needs to finish with more than 75 wins for the first time in years to truly consider 2014 a step forward.
Do I think that is a possibility? Yes.
But if it doesn’t turn out that way, there’s no more illusion of progress.
Joe Vasile is the voice of the Fayetteville (NC) SwampDogs. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeVasilePBP.
You’re so right.
Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, Jonathon Niese, Jenrry Mejia, Bobby Parnell, Josh Edgin, Josh Thole, Ike Davis, Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada, Juan Lagares, Wilmer Flores, Cesar Puello — if only that Minaya farm system could have produced anything…
What we need more than just a few prospects to pan out and make the club is a legit star to help the Mets take that next step forward. BJ’s list above shows that Minaya wasn’t terrible at building a farm. However, besides Harvey, and maybe Murphy, those guys haven’t proven indispensable. They are useful major leaguers no doubt, but we need a little more than that from the next group of young guys in order to be an October team, especially if our off-season spending will continue to be handcuffed.
Good article. Hopefully some of these prospects will pan out in the majors. Plus hopefully there will be a surprise prospect or two that really come into their own this year and next.
I am so hopeful that Brandon Nimmo can pan out- just to prove all of the doubters wrong.
Problem is that the Mets are ranked 6th solely because of their depth in pitching. The team doesn’t have an impact position player to add to the major league roster for the foreseeable future,
Patrick. Lagares appears to be a far better option than Rick Ankiel. Bobby Parnell has matured into a competent closer. It’s not Duda’s fault he’s played out of position. Flores will be on the 2014 roster and Puello right behind him. All depends on how you interpret the glass being half full or half empty.
I don’t think the high ranking is solely because of their pitching depth. Far from it. In fact, 8 of Law’s Mets top 10 are position players. Law is incredibly high on Smith, Nimmo, and Rosario, despite how far away they are.