Anyone have high expectations for a 28th-round pick out of Nova Southeastern University? For those who pay attention to the later rounds of the draft you might recall the name Jeremy Vasquez. He was among a group of Met hitters who had been tearing things up in Kingsport until recently. I say this, because Vasquez is no longer playing for the Mets R1 affiliate, he’s been promoted to Brooklyn.
You’re probably asking, “Why are we writing about a 21 year old first base/outfield prospect who was drafted as organization filler?” It’s a good question and it deserves a full answer.
Vasquez was a High School star from Florida where he earned himself some notice with a smooth and powerful swing. He had a strong commitment to the University of Florida and went undrafted out of High School. Once in college, and over an injury, he had a strong rookie season with excellent contact, power and patience but a sophomore slump (coinciding with a shift to right field) had him alter course and transfer to NOVA Southeastern.
While he did hit well there the difference between the collegiate levels clearly scared some teams away from drafting him. Regardless if Sandy Alderson had done his homework or simply lucked into a guy whose potential could vastly outstrip his draft position, we may never know. Thus far, it’s looked pretty good.
Kingsport: 36 Games, .296/.394/.511, 8 Doubles and 7 Home Runs
Brooklyn: 8 Games, .423/.500/.615, 5 Doubles
Should he continue this level of play he might be given a shot to bypass Columbia and proceed to Port St. Lucie in 2018.
AAA: Las Vegas 51’s
Kevin Plawecki has seen success in AAA – So what. Unfortunately his success in AAA has not translated to the majors. He does have a good chance to be the backup catcher next season, though.
Someone woke up Gavin Cecchini – Maybe it was the promotions of Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith, maybe it was the trade of Neil Walker but Cecchini seems to smell opportunity and has started looking markedly better.
Jayce Boyd offers some depth – While he will never be a star in the majors, Boyd has the ability to play a good mix of positions and provide the Mets with some depth in 2018.
AA: Binghamton Rumble Ponies
David Thompson is hot again – He’s a streaky player but when he’s hot he’s red hot.
P.J. Conlon prepping for an MLB debut – The Mets might be having Conlon try out relief in advance of a September call up.
Corey Oswalt is back on track – His power numbers took a hit in 2017 but he’s leveled off and looks to hold around a 7.5 K/9 which is respectable.
Tim Peterson back at it – After struggling to find success in AAA, Peterson is pitching well in Binghamton.
A+: Port St. Lucie Mets
Justin Dunn needs control – He’s almost guaranteed to repeat Advanced A and he needs to learn how to throw strikes.
Adonis Uceta having a great year in relief – He’s gotten a promotion from Columbia’s closer to Port St. Lucie’s closer and he’s pitched phenomenally everywhere.
A-: Brooklyn Cyclones
David Peterson is just dipping his toe – He’s only pitched 2.2 innings in his first two games. Seems the Mets are being cautious.
R1: Kingsport Mets
Rigoberto Terrazas continues to impress – Can’t find too many flaws in the season he’s had. It begs the question why the Mets don’t send him up to Brooklyn.
Hansel Moreno has the typical troubles – He’s young and he strikes out too much. It is something the Mets will need to work on.
R2: GCL Mets
Guillermo Granadillo is your typical minor league leadoff guy – He has lots of speed and makes contact but needs to learn to walk more.
I was excited to see that Colby Woodmansee had a hit yesterday. I think it’s his one for the week. What the heck happened to this guy? He has seriously fallen off a cliff this year.
In positive news, I read this weekend that some Mets people say Giminez may be a better defender than Rosario. Oh man! I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if I get that again from another source.
It has not been a good year for many players. Colby Woodmansee showed promise but has failed to deliver in 2017.
Gimenez looks good but I want him to hit when he’s freed from the hitting mire of the South Atlantic League.
If he hits in 2018 (in Port St. Lucie) prepare for him to rocket up the rankings.
Three guys that hit the wall in LV after AA success: Peterson, Baldonado, Rosebloom. Competition? Heat? Thin air? Showgirls?
Any salvageable?
All three could recover but our AAA affiliate is just in the world’s worst spot to get an accurate read on players.
Another massive failure by Alderson — the inability to find a better situation than the toxic one in Las Vegas. And yes, I’ve read all the excuses from the Sandy apologists. But a failure is a failure is a failure.
Goes back to grammar school. He failed Musical Chairs.
I read somewhere a few years back about a certain working relationship the Coupons had with the 51’s owners…
Too, I’m not a Sandy apologist if I defend him occasionally, however, those times are dwindling down and I would serious like to see a real talent evaluator at GM, not a wise-cracking Ebenezer Scrooge.
The failure was getting booted from Buffalo…
Tidewater, New Orleans, Buffalo, Vegas——–the common thread is Wilpon!
Agreed with Norm
This isn’t an Alderson failure.
The Wilpons wore out their welcome with multiple AAA franchises.
I still wish the Mets could use the Newark Bears facility but that is most thoroughly not possible.
And they’ve been in Vegas how long?
Wanting to leave Vegas is great.
Which team wants to play there?
Who can the Mets trade with?
No matter where they land, the PDC is at the whim of the Minor League owner. Ideally, the Mets would purchase a (IL) franchise – probability 0.00.
They once owned the Jacksonville Suns –> Tidewater franchise, I believe, and sold it to Ken Young in the 90’s. Young’s investment group bought 3 other MiL franchises, all with Oriole connections in 2005-6. When the Mets PDC was up, they contracted with AAA Oriole team. They blamed it on Omar, who never attended a Norfolk game.
Yes, absolutely true.
For those interested, here’s the research I did the last time the Mets re-upped with Las Vegas:
So, the Mets and 51s will be partners through at least 2018 when perhaps there will be a greater chance of a move to a closer city. Among the cities whose PDC will be up at the end of 2018 are Durham, Louisville, Nashville and Syracuse. Nashville, while still in the PCL, is at least in the Central Time Zone.
Not a single person, hitter or pitcher, from the Mets’ 2016 draft class got an in-season promotion, making Vasquez’ jump to Brooklyn noticeable. And this is not an end of season 3-4 game look, either.
The Cubs are in need of a back up catcher with Wilson Contreras disabled with a pulled hamstring until mid September. Rene Rivera, who should not be in the 2018 Met plans, would make a good replacement for them. It would allow Plawecki to be promoted and take Rivera’s playing time. Plawecki has had a good year, 331/380/523/308 and 9 HR, so maybe he could shake his AAAA label and show enough to be the 2018 backup.
The problem isn’t whether Plawecki or Rivera is the backup. TdA is not good enough to be the #1. Unless Plawecki can take a giant step forward, they are all backups.