This is the ninth entry in our prospect series, where we’re counting down the top 50 prospects for the Mets. Four people were involved in this project and what you see is a group consensus, not the results of one person. You can view 50-47, 46-43, 42-39, 38-35, 34-31, 30-27, 26-23, & 22-19 if you have not already seen it. Here are the next four:
18. Robert Gsellman– After a dominating start in St. Lucie, Gsellman was promoted to Double-A Binghamton, where he pitched to a 3.51 ERA in 16 starts. While he did pitched nicely in Double-A, Gsellman does not strike out a lot of hitters, as he struck out 49 hitters in 92 innings. He does not need to worry about being hit hard, as he averaged less than a hit per inning, which means opposing hitters are putting the ball in play, but Gsellman manages quite well, and gets outs.
Moving forward, Gsellman will probably begin the season in Double-A in order to work on his stuff, and get a little more polished. The 22-year-old could finish the year in Triple-A Las Vegas, but it would be nice to see more success while pitching for Binghamton.
17. Patrick Mazeika– In the eighth round of the 2015 draft, the Mets drafted Mazeika, in hopes that he would develop as a catcher. The organization has seen success stories in Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki over the past couple of years, and so far, Mazeika looks like a promising prospect. In his first year, he hit .354, with 5 homers, 48 RBIs, and 27 doubles in 62 games. The Kingsport Mets coaching staff must have been impressed with their young catcher.
Mazeika should find himself in Savannah to begin the 2016 season, where he will get time between catching and playing first base. If he continues to slug at a high rate, Mazeika could end up being promoted to St. Lucie, and even Double-A Binghamton.
16. Logan Verrett– What a whacky season it was for Verrett, as he was claimed by the Texas Rangers, and returned to the Mets. He certainly belonged in the majors last season, as Verrett went 1-1, with a 3.03 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 39 innings. Verrett’s spot start against Colorado was much needed, as he went 8 innings and earned his first big league win.
Verrett will enter Spring Training fighting for the fifth starter’s spot, but will most likely begin the season in the bullpen as a long reliever and spot starter.
15. Luis Carpio– While establishing himself as a middle infielder, Carpio hit awfully well in Kingsport, as he hit .304 with a .372 OBP. His defense at second base was impressive, as he had a .980 fielding percentage in 19 games. For an 18-year-old, Carpio had success in Kingsport, and will look to build from his 2015 season.
Carpio should begin the season in St. Lucie, as he will look to emerge as a top prospect for the Mets. With the organization having a couple of solid shortstop prospects, Carpio may move to second base, but it could hurt his value moving forward. It will be interesting to see how the organization develops Carpio in the infield.
Mazeicka is my favorite up-and-comer on the list. He just seems like he has a very advanced hitting tool.
I feel that Mazeicka was placed at too low a level for his age — perhaps for the fact that he’s unrefined as a catcher — so I don’t put much stock in his numbers.
I don’t think Gsellman’s success is sustainable with that poor K-rate. There really is no pitching in the system at this point. When you look at the financial landscape, there really needs to be a “second wave” of pitching prospects — and by second wave, I mean Sandy’s first wave. This needs to get fixed and, yes, there’s still time. But I’m not even seeing the next Robles (another Omar guy, btw).
Mazeika was drafted out of college on the 8th round. Here’s where other guys with that profile landed:
Kal Simmons – PIO
Colin Welmon – NWST
Blake Bass – NWST
Garrett Stubbs – NYP
Casey Schroeder – PIO
Preston Morrison – NWST
Reece Karalus – NYP
Mazeika – APPY
Ryan Lawlor – APPY
Nate Griep – PIO
Danny Young – NWST
Justin Garza – Did not play
Cory Taylor – NWST
Seth McGarry – GULF
Nick Collins – ARIZ
Andre Davis – APPY
Dominic Moreno – GULF
Tommy Bergjans – PIO
Koda Glover – NYP
Kyle Survance – PIO
That’s 20 guys drafted from a four-year school on this round and 19 of them went to a short-season league and the other didn’t play. Mazeika was placed at the appropriate level. The draft year is getting used to the professional life and for hitters, using wood bats. What’s important is the placement the first year after being drafted. Mazeika needs to be in a full-season league. If they send him to the NYP, then there’s a problem.
Spot on, Brian. I would say the same for Karczmarski, btw.
Even more so for him, because he was drafted as a college senior and is two years older than Mazeika.
Like the rankings but can’t say I see Carpio jumping two leagues up to PSL. Second, his only path up is through 2B. Too many impressive SS candidates to jump over. Wont happen in 2016, but could depending on how he develops this year.
Johnson at Savannah can certainly be beat out by better talent, but I do believe that it will be Vincent Siena getting the first shot at PSL due to his advanced age and the fact that he really hit the first half at Brooklyn before losing steam – long year for college players..
Ramos and Carpio make a nice Columbia double play combo in 2016.