Mets Minors: Introducing Thomas Szapucki

You may not know the name Thomas Szapucki just yet but (the player MLB.com ranked as the Met’s 17th best prospect) will likely be moving even higher in the rankings if he can continue his early success. At 20 years old, Szapucki is 6’2” lefty with a mid-low 90s fastball. He’s best known for his slider and for the tremendous “spin-rate” it achieves. Other scouts note that his slider may be more of a slurve or even a curve but so long as people have trouble hitting it, we’ll let that slide.

Prior to this season some scouts projected him to wind up in the bullpen. He only has two pitches (his changeup is not yet a major league offering) and he’s got a peculiar arm angle which was supposed to reveal too much to righties. If you watch him pitch, his arm action is almost a sidearm approach which will make him very good against lefties.

Thus far in 2016 he’s been pretty darned good against everyone. He’s pitched 29.0 innings for the Kingsport Mets over 5 starts, including one last night against the Burlington Royals. In that time he has given up 2 earned runs and struck out 47 batters.

If one looks for a flaw, there is little to be found from his stats. If you are in the area of the APP in five games go out and check out this new lefty phenom in the making.

AAA: Las Vegas 51s

Don’t Count Michael Conforto as “back” just yet – After a promising debut in AAA Conforto has carried over much of his scuffling ways from the majors.

Wonder what we’ll do with Kevin Plawecki – He’s playing and hitting well enough in AAA for someone to want him as their everyday catcher.

AA: Binghamton Mets

Amed Rosario shows no sign of stumbling – He’s acclimated to AA and looks like every bit the top prospect the Mets have been billing him as for the past few years.

Dominic Smith doesn’t want to be left behind – Since returning from the futures game he’s got 9 hits over his first 18 at bats.

A+: Port St. Lucie Mets

Kevin Kaczmarski is making the most of his promotion – He’s off and running in Port St. Lucie. That 1.188 OPS will be difficult for him to maintain but it’s a promising sign from an older prospect.

Corey Oswalt throws a gem of a game – 8.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts is part of the reason that Met writers haven’t forgotten his name.

P.J. Conlon stays sharp – Through three games at advanced A Conlon looks like he’s one of the better pitchers on his new team.

A: Columbia Fireflies

Andrew Church back to Low A – He might have gotten demoted but it hasn’t hurt his spirit, his last outing was a complete game, 1 hit, 1 walk, 10 strikeout gem.

A-: Brooklyn Cyclones

Peter Alonso is the best hitter on a bad hitting team – Brooklyn is a terrible hitting team year in and year out but you can expect Alonso’s bat to shine through.

The Mets correct an error and add Nabil Crismatt to the rotation – Anyone who paid attention last season knew that Crismatt had talent enough to earn a spot in the Cyclone’s rotation.

R1: Kingsport Mets

Jose Maria is a hitter – He doesn’t walk much but he also doesn’t strikeout too often which is promising. His .409 batting average to start the season is pretty promising too.

Walter Rasquin is a name to learn – He’s not doing anything that jumps off the screen but he’s quietly adding himself into the middle infield depth charts.

Franklin Correa has power – Of the Mets in Kingsport, Correa has the most power though his size isn’t gonna do him any favors as he progresses.

Max Wotell has been very good – His first four games have gone well but not as well as Mr. Szapucki’s.

R2: Gulf Coast League Mets

Victor Moscote looks better this time around – Last season didn’t go well but his second stint in the GCL is going much better.

Luis Silva is a good little pitcher – I hate calling anyone taller than I am little but at 6’0” Silva will need to overcome his lack of height.

Sixto Torres making strides – He is another player repeating the GCL and seeing dividends.