The first two rounds of the MLB Draft was held yesterday on the MLB Network and it provided smiles for countless individuals. However, the Mets were absent from a pick due to their signing of Michael Cuddyer back in November. It remains to be seen whether or not this was a smart decision, but the Mets have selected Desmond Lindsay with their second-round pick. In any event, all the current Mets top prospects are going through another season; some of them have already reached the majors, some are dying to get their shot, and others are looking to get one step closer to the big leagues. So where will each of them end up at the end of the year? Let’s take a look into our crystal ball and take a guess:
(This list was taken from the Mets360.com list finished in January: https://mets360.com/?p=24120)
15) Wuilmer Becerra
Current Location: A Savannah
Predicted Finish Location: A+ St. Lucie
Notoriously known as the guy “thrown in” with the R.A. Dickey trade, Becerra is starting to appear as a steal for the Mets. While maintaining a current OPS of .851, he seems as if he could be a big time prospect in the near future. Overall, he is getting a bit old for his current level and should get an opportunity to play a level higher toward the end of the season.
14) Cesar Puello
Current Location: Disabled List (AAA Las Vegas)
Predicted Finish Location: AAA Las Vegas
At one point, there were only a few Mets prospects that had higher expectations than the 5-tool outfielder. While the others have come and gone, Puello still remains in the minors as a failed prospect. He has not played this season and still has the Biogenesis scandal to his name. After this season, the Mets will probably allow him to be eligible for the Rule V draft.
13) Gabriel Ynoa
Current Location: AA Binghamton
Predicted Finish Location: AA Binghamton
After an impeccable first four seasons in the minor leagues, Ynoa has taken a step back the past two seasons. His walk rate has taken an alarming climb from 1.5 BB/9 last season to 2.9 this season. His strikeout rate has taken a precipitous dip and he continues to allow a plethora of hits. If these trends continue, he will never make it out of AA- let alone this season.
12) Akeel Morris
Current Location: A+ St. Lucie
Predicted Finish Location: AAA Las Vegas
If this list was written three years ago, the Mets probably would have already called up Morris to help the struggling bullpen. Unfortunately for Morris and the Mets, the major league bullpen in Queens is dominant and has depth. That being said, the Mets front office needs to get this kid to more advanced locations after dominating each of the past three seasons. Hopefully they will promote this future closer as soon as possible.
11) Gavin Cecchini
Current Location: AA Binghamton
Predicted Finish Location: AAA Las Vegas
After one of the most ridiculed starts to a career, Cecchini has finally put together something worth noting. His .331 batting average in AA is impressive and his ability to avoid strikeouts this season is a good sign. In my eyes, he has already deserved a promotion to AAA Las Vegas, but that’s for another day. If the Mets do allow him to go to Vegas, hopefully they will not make the mistake of promoting him to the majors prematurely. Unless he is completely raking in Las Vegas, a call-up could hurt his development.
10) Marcos Molina
Current Location: Disabled List (A+ St. Lucie)
Predicted Finish Location: St. Lucie
Before going down with a bit of elbow difficulty, Molina was not exactly as dominant as last season. If Molina needs the dreaded Tommy John Surgery, then he will end the season on a negative note. An optimist would say that he will return toward the end of the season and make a few starts. We’ll see. Best case scenario, he could just take the Steven Matz route to the major leagues.
9) Amed Rosario
Current Location: A+ St. Lucie
Predicted Finish Location: A+ St. Lucie
Rosario is a raw prospect, so it’s hard to complain when his results have been sub-par. That being said, it does remain a little unfair of me to even think of criticizing this guy. He is a 19 year-old playing in a league for 22 year-olds and is actually hitting a respectable .272. If Rosario turns up his game, the Mets will have no problem promoting him to AA Binghamton.
8) Dominic Smith
Current Location: A+ St. Lucie
Predicted Finish Location: AA Binghamton
A first round pick in 2013, Smith appeared on the fast-track to the big leagues with an impressive rookie season in which his OPS exceeded .830. However after an uninspiring 2014, he left the top prospect lists and his development was put on hold. Regardless, this season he appears to be on the verge of stardom with a 15-game hitting streak and an incredible 29 doubles. He seems to be on the verge of forcing the Mets hands for a call-up. This future all-star looks to be on his way.
7) Michael Conforto
Current Location: AA Binghamton
Predicted Finish Location: AAA Las Vegas
Conforto is clearly the future of the outfield in Queens and he has been an absolute stud this season. There is not much to say about Conforto other than his 1.293 OPS in AA Binghamton. He will probably deserve a promotion to Las Vegas later in the season.
6) Brandon Nimmo
Current Location: Disabled List (AA Binghamton)
Predicted Finish Location: AA Binghamton
After a breakout season in 2014, Nimmo appeared to be only a short wait away from the major leagues. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL sprain and is out for a few more weeks. The Mets will be cautious with him because he is still a first round pick, and he will not get a promotion.
5) Rafael Montero
Current Location: Disabled List (MLB)
Predicted Finish Location: Another team
After a few dominant seasons in the minor leagues, Montero has failed to live up to his lofty expectations in the majors. The Mets are apparently shopping him and they will probably find a buyer. While this might hurt some fans, it most likely will be the end result.
4) Steven Matz
Current Location: AAA Las Vegas
Predicted Finish Location: MLB
Steven Matz has probably been the most hyped pitching prospect on the Mets since Generation K. While we all hope that he will be more successful than any of the three failures, he is still a prospect. In the end, he will make it to the majors somehow.
3) Kevin Plawecki
Current Location: MLB
Predicted Finish Location: MLB
Originally I would have said that he was destined for a trade to another organization, but apparently Alderson does not view him this way. Plawecki will be sent to the minor leagues right after Travis d’Arnaud comes back up, but he will certainly be a September call-up.
2) Dilson Herrera
Current Location: Disabled List (MLB)
Predicted Finish Location: MLB
After hitting the DL with a freak injury, Herrera has been forgotten by many Mets fans. That being said, he will still travel with the team as an important part of their future.
1) Noah Syndergaard
Current Location: MLB
Predicted Finish Location: MLB
Not much to say here. He has been a stud in the majors thus far and has shown zero signs of slowing down. Syndergaard is here to stay.
What benefit is there for Conforto or the Mets in him moving up to AAA, which is an easier hitting environment than AA?
He’ll get a serious look this Spring either way but moving him to Vegas mostly seems unnecessary.
AAA is “Buffing and Storage” for top prospects…. it gets them out of the way and at the ready for shuttling…for elite guys, it’s a place to park them and avoid super2, or to get a re-dip on some finishing and fundies when their first MLB stay gets rough.
Not sure how you can say Beccera is getting old for the Sally League when he’s the second youngest guy on the team at 20/8mos.
For an advanced prospect, he should be progressing at a quicker rate than the other prospects at that level. He is not getting too old per se, but the Mets should get him moving sooner rather than later to unlock his true potential (especially with the season he is having).
Rosario’s results have been subpar? He’s at almost 700 OPSin a high A league as a 19 year old SS….. reports are that he’s fielding the position extremely well. He’s about 2 years “younger than league” hitting against very talented, more experienced pitchers. …..He’s on a very high trajectory!
I’m not big excited on Becerra…he needs to hit at A+ to get my interest. He’s made some major swing changes from a widewidewide stance….it still looks messy to me. He’s not in my top 15 right now…. he’s more a suspect than prospect.
Morris should move to another level now….but relievers are really just honing 1 and 2 pitches, so it’s not as critical regarding level of hitters versus command of yopur Out Pitch—he should be pushed soon.
Maybe Nimmo will get called up in time to celebrate his 30th birthday in Queens