Sandy Alderson and the Mets were without a first round pick in 2015 thanks to the signing of Michael Cuddyer. Ignoring that, Alderson seems to have managed to draft a respectable pool of talent without a first round stud to bolster things. As with most reviews, the future isn’t clear enough to tell just yet but here’s what we’ve learned so far.
Desmond Lindsay, OF – The Met’s top pick in 2015 was a very solid selection down in the 2nd round, where the Mets were forced to pick from. He’s got one of the best swings in the 2015 draft class making frequent line-drive contact with solid speed and developing power. We were a bit surprised the Mets did not begin the process of re-filling their depleted pitching development but Lindsay seemed to be the highest value on the board, so it is hard to complain. Lindsay began the year for the GCL Mets where he hit .304/.400/.464 through 21 games. It was enough to earn the 18 year old a promotion to Brooklyn but, with the Cyclones, he stalled and only managed a .574 OPS in 14 games. Lindsay looks to build off his success in the Gulf Coast League. The Mets would be aggressive to start him in Full Season A ball but that isn’t completely out of the question.
Max Wotell, LHP – Wotell is a lefty with a 93 MPH fastball and a physical projection that scouts think will have that speed increase. The combination of his awkward mechanics and limited pitch offerings (Fastball/Curve) make him a much more likely to wind up in the bullpen. Wotell threw only 10.2 IP for the GCL Mets but they were good innings. He struck out 16 batters and held opponents to a 0.57 batting average. He also walked 9… which is less good.
David Thompson, 1B/3B – Thompson was drafted to play 3rd but his arm strength makes him a better match to play first. He’s got a power swing but it’s got a slew of issues: It’s long, it’s slow and (as a college player) it’s going to be pretty hard to change. Thompson played for Brooklyn and, like most players for Brooklyn he was terrible. He’ll hope to improve on his numbers in 2016.
Thomas Szapucki, LHP – Alderson took Szapucki in the 5th round, making him the second lefty pitcher the Mets selected. Unless Wotell’s fastball someday cranks up to 97 you could make the argument that he’s the better selection. Szapucki boasts a 95 MPH fastball and some of the most impressive spin metrics of any pitcher in the draft. His delivery and limited pitches make him another candidate for the bullpen but his ceiling is very high. He only pitched 2.1 innings in 2015 and they didn’t go great.
Chase Ingram, RHP – These days you don’t see a ton of prospects who are better known for breaking pitches than their fastballs but Ingram in one of them. His fastball sits between 88-92 MPH but it is his curveball that draws the praise. Mechanically he could be a starter but the hope is that his fastball could become a little less of a fringe pitch. Ingram was a solid pitcher for Kingsport pitching 20 IP in 12 games and striking out 27. He did walk 10 batters and will need to keep an eye on his control moving forward.
Corey Taylor, RHP – The Mets drafted a lot of pitchers who don’t project as starters. Taylor projects as a middle reliever with a solid low-90s sinker. For Brooklyn he provided solid relief with above average peripherals.
Patrick Mazeika, C – Mazeika was taken as an offense first catcher and was surprisingly not even rated in Baseball America’s Top 500. The two knocks against Mazeika are a poor performance in the Cape League and defense that might not let him hold onto the position as a catcher. He does have a very good bat and an above average arm so there are plenty of reasons to feel like the Mets got a steal here. Mazeika’s 2015 should give you even more to feel good about. His OPS was .991 and he had 24 walks with only 26 strikeouts in 62 games.
Kevin Kaczmarski, OF – A smallish outfielder who does a little bit of everything. He has some power, some speed and good contact but his physical limitations might become apparent as he progresses through higher levels. Kaczmarski managed a .921 OPS in 2015 but he, and Mazeika, were both too old for Rookie ball. The hope is that both players make the jump (seamlessly) to the SAL.
Witt Haggard, RHP – A pitcher with some upside who projects into the bullpen? I’m detecting a theme. Haggard pitched well for Kingsport but not remarkably well.
Jake Simon, LHP – Simon is a relatively unknown lefty with a three pitch mix and a low 90s fastball. He’s a long-term development project but he pitched adequately in his first taste of the minors. Don’t expect Simon’s name to reach the majors anytime soon.
Thanks for the update David. Looks like they drafted a lot of organizational depth on the pitching and offensive side.
Lindsay, Mazeika and Szapucki look to have the greater upside, but overall… yes.
Much like with 2014 draftee Brad Wieck a season ago, I expect that Wotell (and P.J. Conlon, who had a terrific 2015) will be moved to the rotation the year after they are drafted.
Agreed, but Wotell projects to end up in relief eventually.
Wotell may very well wind up in the bullpen but it’s unlikely that the Mets’ took a guy with their second pick thinking, “Eh, he’ll probably be a reliever.” He’ll be given every opportunity to make it as a SP, especially as a LHP who already throws 90+
It seems like you covered really just the first dozen or so picks, but any thoughts on Thomas McIIraith.?No one thought much of him pre-draft, but he did well at Kingsport. Needs to get strikeouts up, but there must be a reason he made it to the rotation and Conlon , Humphreys, Becker, Shaw and Simon – all drafted higher – did not start any games. Any thoughts?
I was only reviewing the Top 10 signed picks per year. I can add McIlraith for an off season review at some point.
The reason that Conlon did not start any games in Brooklyn was that he threw 90+ innings in college this last season so the Mets had him on a strict 20 inning limit. I would assume the same to be true for all the college pitchers drafted this year.