Once upon a time I wrote about Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom. Stating that “While Montero has gotten more attention, with his pin-point control, deGrom seems like the prospect with the higher ceiling.” How long can a blogger brag about being right about deGrom? I’ll tell you as soon as I’m done bragging.
The fact is that every year there are prospects that, for one reason or another, have faded into obscurity while others appear prominent. You can be sure that we’re all eager to see more of Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith, Thomas Szapucki, Justin Dunn and Gavin Cecchini, but who should we be eager to see, that we haven’t heard about in a while?
Wuilmer Becerra, OF – Part of the fabled R.A. Dickey trade Becerra has risen and fallen much in the esteem and expectations of the organization. In fact, he was roaring into the echelons of “Top Prospect” when he was hurt and fell on very hard times at the plate. He was hitting for a very high average and beginning to show signs of the power he hinted at in 2015 when his season hit a wall with injuries ruining a breakout season.
Critics will be quick to point out his relatively empty batting average as 2016 didn’t show us breakout power or plate discipline but he was trending upwards in both counts. A healthy 22 year old Becerra should begin his season with Port St. Lucie and could re-emerge as the best hitting Met outfielder since Michael Conforto.
P.J. Conlon, SP – Conlon has gotten some headline time on Mets360 this season and he deserved it. The reason that Conlon doesn’t get the hype of Dunn or Szapucki is really the strikeout. Over the past seasons, the Mets have been utterly spoiled by the likes of Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and company. We forget the pitchers can have elite success without elite strikeout numbers and Conlon fits that mold.
It would not shock me to see, years from now, that an inning eating workhorse like Conlon has had an ultimately better career than a fireballer like Dunn. Expect AA to be a big test for Conlon and don’t expect him to fail there.
David Roseboom, RP – With the Mets having lots of holes to fill in their team this offseason it’s surprising to some that the Mets haven’t done more to replace Jerry Blevins. Afterall, Blevins was the our #1 lefty in the bullpen and you know how Terry Collins loves his matchups. Some are concerned that the Mets are putting too much faith into Josh Edgin.
These people don’t know about Roseboom who has been putting up increasingly impressive numbers since 2015. He figures to get into the bullpen picture as early as spring training and could become a late-inning fixture by the end of the season.
Patrick Mazeicka, C – If you are a reader of my columns you know that I’m a big fan of Mazeicka. He seems like a pure hitter at catcher and, thus far, he’s been adequate behind the plate. He’s got enough bat that he could be a starting catcher and an impact hitter but he also needs to prove his health. Should he be healthy in 2017 I fully expect Mazeicka to make some serious waves within the Met farm system.
Eudor Garcia, 3B – We groan when we see prospects who get caught using performance enhancing drugs but we also need to recognize when a player still has potential to be an impact player. Garcia still has a glimmer of a chance to have his bat power him into the majors. This is probably the last season that we’ll hold out that hope, but we should still be holding it.
Would be nice to see any one of these bust out. I too, am most optimistic about Maz but think Lindsay & Thompson will eclipse Wullmer & Eudor shortly.
Really dark (black hole dark) horse? Victor Cruzado; could light up LV and eventually serve as UT OF.
The idea here was to establish sleepers. So Lindsay would be the obvious prospect with Becerra sneaking up behind and the same thing with Thompson and Garcia.
Cruzado isn’t a prospect.
Sorry, off-topic, but this had me shaking my head today, from an article on catcher Jason Castro:
>> Defensively, Castro has received high marks in terms of pitch framing, listed as the fifth best framing catcher in all of baseball last year, according to StatCorner. Castro was credited with an additional 96 strike calls in 2016, which resulted in an extra 0.92 calls per game. <<
I want to vomit all over that stat. Such BS.
Not that defensive ability — what we used to call "a good receiver" — doesn't have value. But all this credit for strike calls ignores three very important variables: the pitcher, the umpire, and the batter. It's all a big guess for people who need a spreadsheet in order to accept the reality of something. It's mostly about making money with proprietary stats.
Sorry, Dave, don't mean to interrupt.
Jim—as I’m reading, Just before you get to the subject of Vomiting, I’m thinking that I need to Tell Jimmy P that “I feel like Vomiting every time I hear Pitch Framing”….. we agree on that!!!
I will say right now that next November, Buccerra will be the #2 prospect on the Mets. I say that because while everyone talked about his injured shoulder, he still played DH until late July and I’ve never heard of anyone lose their timing on chasing fly balls. He was told to not hit for power but concentrate on consistent contact and he learned to make good contact without swinging for the fences. That can only help him. Add to that a great arm and good speed and he will a top 50 MLB prospect. He has nothing to learn in Florida and will start in upstate New York.
Excellent points Gus and I believe that Becerra could be the #1 prospect if Rosario has graduated.
I’ll go even further, Becerra ROY in 2018!
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I’ll take that bet.
Becerra is 22…still Knocking on The High A Door. He was a Secret Santa Gift in a big trade…a no lose, give him a look guy….and he’s been All Projection since.
I’ve never seen him play, but it’s time for him to make a move.
I have seen him play a few times for Savannah and he was very good. He is a good offensive player and has five tools.Each time I saw him he made a good defensive play and improved on his hitting. The injury obviously messed up his 2016 season. I am very bullish on him.
My favorite sleeper, and mean deep sleeper, is Nabil Crismatt. Just a feeling, but he has great control, has an easy motion, and touches 93 with a chance to improve with a plus change up and a plus curve. Last year in 62 innings, his k/bb comparison was 62/12. Never read a negative report on his makeup, read this mature thinking for Single A player:
“No matter where I pitch, it’s the same baseball and the same spots I need to hit,” Crismatt said. “I was feeling pretty good tonight. I was trying to hit my spots and make my pitches. I don’t know, I never try to strike out anybody, I just try to throw the ball where I want to throw the ball.”
“My changeup was pretty good tonight, so I was trying to use it all the time,” Crismatt said. “Most of the time, I have my changeup going. Tonight, I was using it behind in the count and a lot against the lefties.”
“I picked up the quick pitch after seeing videos of Johnny Cueto,” he said. “I try to learn something new every game, and the way he is able to move, mechanically, is really great. I’m not a guy who throws 95, so trying something different is going to help me. Baseball is about changing speeds and looks; if you do the same thing, the hitter can be waiting on you and timing you.”
I love Crismatt and think he’ll be on this list next year.