Mets Minors: Dilson Herrera and a lineup of future Mets

The Mets have traded away more than a little of the pitching they once had in their minor league system.  With Michael Fulmer, Casey Meisner, Luis Cessa and others all playing for new teams, one might think that the Met farm system is bereft of talent, but that is not the case.  The Mets have a tremendous store of hitting and it happens to stretch across a wide multitude of positions.  Because of this, I present a lineup of Met’s top prospects.

Brandon Nimmo, CF – At 22 years of age, Nimmo is playing in AAA and hitting well.  Nimmo has not developed prodigious power or made use of his great speed.  What he has displayed is an advanced eye at the plate, achieving a .324 batting average and a .415 on base percentage.  Nimmo will be challenging Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson for playing time as early as 2016.

Dilson Herrera, 2B – Despite spending parts of 2014 and 2015 in the majors, it’s easy to forget that Herrera is only 21 years old.  In AAA, Herrera has done it all, he’s displayed a fair amount of speed, considerable power and a quick bat that has generated a .342 batting average.  His one weakness is currently his eye.  He has only walked 17 times in 225 at bats.  The good news here is that he isn’t striking out so often as to be a problem.

Michael Conforto, LF – While Conforto has yet to taken the major leagues by storm, the Mets are aware of what a talent that he might become.  Conforto projects as a complete hitter, with a solid eye and a good amount of power.  He might appear to be something of a project right now but he will likely eliminate the need for additional free agent help in the outfield.

Wuilmer Becerra, RF – Becerra is still only in Savannah, though he is certainly making something of his time there.  At 20 years of age, Becerra seems like he might be one of the best power-hitting prospects to come through the Met system in some time.  The hope is that his hitting will not go the way of Aderlin Rodriguez as he advances beyond this point but that does not seem to be the most likely outcome.

Dominic Smith, 1B – Smith has absolutely torn up Advanced A in Port St. Lucie.  Smith is also young to be as advanced as he is, but his power is regrettably unlike a typical first baseman’s.  This might be due to him not being quite as large as other first basemen.  He is only 6’0” and 185 pounds but he is hitting talent and appears to be one of the best the Mets have ever seen.

Jhoan Urena, 3B – One of the only players on this list who has not had a good 2015.  He’s sporting a terrible .530 OPS in Port St. Lucie but given time to develop, he may yet make good on the promise he showed in Brooklyn.  If not Urena, Eudor Garcia might prove to be a better third baseman to list here.

Patrick Mazeika, C – Mazeika has not played catcher frequently for Kingsport, but it is the position that the Kingsport DH is known to play.  While his catching ability is not well known, His hitting talents have been quite visibly on display.  Thus far, he’s managed a line of .335/.431/.535 through 43 games which is a good showing from a prospect whether they are in the Appalachian League or in AAA.

Gavin Cecchini, SS – Some might suggest seeing Reynolds, Rosario or Ramos here, but Cecchini has well earned the right to be known as the Met’s top shortstop prospect in 2015.  Cecchini is poised to make the leap into the majors the moment that Terry Collins decides that Ruben Tejada’s and Wilmer Flores’ tandem isn’t doing enough to help.

AAA:

Matt Reynolds reminds us of why we liked him so much – This Spring there were a number of Met fans calling for the Mets to promote him to the majors.  If he keeps up this hitting, those calls will start again.

Logan Verrett waiting in the wings – The Mets aren’t likely to need Verrett in 2015 but in the event injuries start to fall, he’s a capable spot starter.

AA:

Josh Smoker may soon be the LOOGY – For all the Eric O’Flaherty nonsense and the LOOGY position being a generally bad thing for the Mets, Smoker might soon prove to be the best lefty specialist with the Mets.

A+:

Jeff McNeil keeps hitting – The Mets have a minor leaguer who has quietly hit over .300 for the entire year.  How one does this quietly, is anyone’s guess.

Amed Rosario is learning – We haven’t seen him suddenly click and achieve to the levels we hope he might, but he’s at the point where he’s looking ready for the league he’s playing in.

A:

 Patrick Biondi finally shows up – Biondi was supposed to be a solid leadoff candidate and as a college hitter, we thought he’d get rolling right away.  Better late than never.

Luis Guillorme adds his name to the shortstop contest – It’s a crowded field, but Guillorme has been solid in Savannah and hit .375 over the last 10 games.

Corey Owalt is a rare name left – With so many other pitchers flown the coop Oswalt’s strong performance Tuesday was a good sign.

Martires Arias might be the best starter left – He’s been very good all year, and should be returning to Advanced A as soon as there is room.

A-:

Alex Palsha is perfect – 17.2 IP and only 7 hits and 4 walks to blemish an otherwise immaculate record.

R1:

Kevin Kaczmarski needs a promotion – He’s too old to be in this league and he’s not being challenged.

Luis Carpio is showing strongly – He’s pretty low on the shortstop totem pole but he’ll rise up if he keeps hitting

Who is Nabil Crismatt – Your faithful blogger is on the job and I will find out all I can about this talented young pitcher.