Rookie ball is not a league that most fans follow. Players in this league are generally below the legal drinking age in the United States and face a minimum of 3-5 years of sustained healthy/productive play to reach the majors. Today I will focus on the Kingsport Mets because I’ve never seen them quite this good.
The Mets have known they’ve had issues with Shortstop. Wilmer Flores is currently tearing it up in the majors but the Mets also boast, Matt Reynolds in AAA, Gavin Cecchini in AA, Amed Rosario in A+ and a certain guy named Milton Ramos in Rookie Ball.
Milton Ramos, SS – 19 – R/R – 5’11” – 158 Lbs
Ramos played in the lower level of Rookie Ball in 2014 where he managed a ho-hum, but respectable, OPS of .654 over 51 games. Ramos is a solid defensive infielder with some speed and a line-drive swing. He’s got a long way to go but could quickly rise to the premier shortstop in the organization, especially if he keeps up with his .341/.370/.455 line.
Raphael Ramirez, CF – 19 – L/L – 5’11” – 175 Lbs
Much like Ramos, Ramirez had a mediocre year in the Gulf Coast League in 2014 but is off and running in 2015. He is a player who makes decent contact and has a lot of speed but is also a player who is likely to strike out far too often. If he can improve his eye as he moves up through the minors he could become a force.
Dash Willingham, 1B – 19 – L/L – 6’2” – 230 Lbs
Willingham is not the most svelte athlete. At 230 Lbs he has the raw mass to become a major power threat. Through 12 games this season he’s batting .311/.327/.600 with 3 home runs.
Patrick Mazeika, C – 21 – L/R – 6’3” – 210 Lbs
Drafted in 2015, Mazeika can expect a promotion to Brooklyn if he keeps up his current performance. He’s batting .318/.412/.568 and has been the most complete hitter for the Kingsport Mets.
Kevin Kaczmarski, OF – 23 – L/R – 6’0” – 190 Lbs
Kaczmarski is old for this level and will be promoted as soon as there is room for him in Brooklyn. He’s currently hitting .279/.380/.442 proving that older players have more advanced eyes at the plate.
AAA:
Dilson Herrera rebuilding confidence – Remember when Travis d’Arnaud got sent back down to AAA. It looks like Herrera might be inclined to follow suit and kick things into overdrive.
Jayce Boyd has a steady bat – Boyd looks poised to lock down a bench role for the Mets starting the moment rosters expand.
Matt Reynolds is in free-fall – He hasn’t been mentioned in a while and I have to laugh when people call WFAN calling for his promotion.
T.J. Rivera can hit – The guy is hitting .304/.350/.408 in AAA and he’s hitting .412 over his last 10 games.
AA:
Michael Conforto is pulling out of slump – After getting off to a scorching start in AA he hit a snag but that seems to also be behind him now.
Brandon Nimmo is pulling into a slump – As one goes up the other goes down, ain’t that the way of the world?
Michael Fulmer is the Mets last and best trade chip – They can’t trade Kevin Plawecki, they can’t afford to lose Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey or Steven Matz and nobody really wants Dillon Gee or Jon Niese but Fulmer has looked like a future Ace as the season has worn on.
A+:
Dominic Smith says, “Bring on Binghamton!” – He’s hit .333 over his last 10 games and has not hit under .300 for over a month and a half.
A:
Wuilmer Becerra has done enough to be on my Top 10 – He’s going to be rocketing up through the Met minor league rankings on a lot of lists.
A-:
Brandon Brosher is powerful – He’s only played 5 games but his .333/.400/.917 line is ridiculously good.
Jeff Diehl was hot but might be cooling off – Diehl was very good through his first few games be pitchers might have started to figure him out.
R2:
Cecilio Aybar has hits – He has more hits than games played and that is always a good sign.
Ali Sanchez has more – Sanchez has 14 hits over his 8 games this season. That’s pretty great.
Merandy Gonzalez is the future of Met pitching – He’s a long way from the majors but he’s only surrendered 9 hits and 2 walks in 3 games.
Adonis Uceta is off to a good start – 5.0 IP, 2 Hits, 1 ER, 0 BB and 8 Ks. Nothing but good things to say about that.
Wuilmer Becerra is still in A- ball and on the 7 day DL . I think he deserves a promotion a few games after he gets his health back. He is a five tool player and a good right fielder.
The Sand Gnats will be moving to Columbia, SC next year. Here is a link of the new stadium
It looks gorgeous.
Edit: Becerra is currentlty in A ball in Savannah.
what’s your take on Rosario? Not as good as advertised or pushed too quickly to A+?