Tell me if you’ve heard this before – Desmond Lindsay, former 2nd round pick (the Mets top pick that year), is off to a dismal start in Advance A. The outfielder has only 10 hits in his first 15 games and has struck out a whopping 25 times. Now, I don’t often focus on the bad but I just can’t gloss over it.
In 2015 there was reason to hope…
Lindsay managed a debut OPS of .864 in the GCL and earned his way onto the Brooklyn lineup in the same year. His struggles in Brooklyn weren’t thought of because he was aggressively promoted there and the fans hoped with more time he would shine.
In 2016 there began to be buzz…
Starting hurt didn’t help his cause but after a rehab stint back in the GCL (where he managed a 1.017 OPS) he got another chance in Brooklyn and shone like everyone hoped he would. His .868 OPS was generated by a strong K/BB ratio and some solid power hitting numbers. He seemed like a budding corner outfielder with some, dare we say it, 5-Tool Potential.
Then in 2017 we blamed it on the SALLY…
Nobody hits great in the South Atlantic League. When Lindsay toiled to earn a .715 OPS in 65 games we hoped it was the league-wide effect. Not a lack of talent.
In 2018 he played most of the year hurt…
He managed a total of 84 games for St. Lucie but little about it was good. The .218/.310/.320 batting line did little to make Met fans think that he’d find some bounce now that he was out of the SAL. Though some would argue, again, that his injury held him back.
Now, in 2019, we are seeing it all again…
The batting average is under .200, his SLG doesn’t crack .300 and his OBP is propped up by an aberrant 4 walk outing. Nothing about Lindsay should say to anyone, “Top Prospect” and the Mets are without a bonafide prospect in the outfield in their entire system.
Am I wrong? Tell me in the comments.
AAA:
Syracuse Mets
Yes, Travis Taijeron has power – No, he’s still not a prospect. His 5 home runs in the last 10 games will not translate to the majors. Sorry to disappoint.
Tomas Nido is hitting in AAA – The strong defensive catcher is looking like he’s getting great contract in the minors. Hitting .385 in his last 10 games is a good sign… for when Travis d’Arnaud gets hurt.
AA:
Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Stephen Villines is a relief prospect to watch – Drafted in 2017 we usually don’t dwell on relievers but Villines stands out. So far, in 2019, he’s pitched 5.2 innings of scoreless ball with 8 strikeouts and only 3 hits given up.
Top Prospect, Andres Gimenez is off to a strong start – Through 10 games he has 5 extra base hits and 2 stolen bases. If we must complain he’s struck out 11 times on the young season. Pray for more good weather.
Don’t forget Harol Gonzalez – The workhorse prospect has done well at each level with steady solid pitching numbers. His first full start saw 6.0 inning, only 4 hits and 8 strikeouts.
A+:
St. Lucie Mets
Jeremy Vasquez is looking like a candidate for early promotion – He’s off his early slump and hitting like gangbusters. Not only did he hit .400 over his last 10 games but he walked 9 times. Coincidentally, that’s pretty good for one’s OPS.
Quinn Brodey is having strong, if quiet, start – His .836 OPS is fueled by a high batting average and some doubles but he needs to hit it out of the park or steal more bases to really get some buzz.
A:
Columbia Fireflies
Simeon Woods Richardson almost up to speed – On Monday he managed 3.0 innings of 1 hit, 5 strikeout ball. On Saturday, 4.0 innings of 2 hit, 4 strikeout ball.
Mets assign Thomas Szapucki to Brooklyn – In a move that makes sense to literally nobody.
Mark Vientos is hanging in – He’s not slumping but he’s just not shining yet. Plenty of reason to hope still.
Ronny Mauricio may be forced off of shortstop soon – For one thing, Shervyen Newton will be returning to the lineup but for another, Mauricio is not showing great glovework at his position. He has 4 errors on this young season. On the flip side he stole 2 bases this week and is walking more. Seems like his bat is plenty ready for Full Season ball.
Anthony Dirocie is making a charge – He’s hitting .345 over his last 10 games with 5 walks and 2 home runs in a very pitcher friendly league.
why was Thomas Szapucki sent to brooklyn…….TJ set back?
No clue but it is really frustrating
Possibly hiding Szapucki in the way lower minors to avoid having to protect him in the Rule 5 draft since he only has 83 innings pitched in professional ball and needs pitching experience? Or, maybe that’s the level he needs to start at while working his way back? He hasn’t pitched all that much.
in that case why pitch him at all at columbia
Just seems like he was being stretched out successfully and then delayed.
David, with the defensive train wreck that Rosario continues to be, if we move Mauricio off short, where does he go? could Gimenez be the both sides of the ball player that could dislodge Rosario in the nearish future?
The Major League squad got loaded with unnecessary veteran infielders to block the infield that made sense before the season.
1B: Alonso
2B: McNeil
SS: Gimenez
3B: Rosario
Good luck making this work with Cano, Frazier and Lowrie taking up payroll.
Mauricio is too far off to judge but I would bet outfield or 3rd base.
David, that infield seems like a very weak hitting left side. Rosario’s value is as a SS. As a third baseman, he is lacking. Also, Gimenez was put into AA, and rightfully so IMO, so expecting him to jump to MLB this year was a bit stretchy.
By next year, Frazier will be gone next year and Lowrie the year after that. I’m hoping that Cano can go to third base for the last two years of his deal opening up second base
There’s always been speculation about Mauricio not being able to remain at SS.
However, a high error total in the low minors in and of itself does not mean a player can’t handle the position.
Jimmy Rollins had 75 errors in his first 306 games in the minors.
Didi Gregorius had 68 errors in his first 226 games
Derek Jeter had 56 errors when he played in the SAL in 1993
Some guys have not had a lot of proper coaching as an amateur. Others never worked on their defense very much. Sometimes the fields in the bottom levels of the minors weren’t very good.
This is a case where I would trust the scouts and especially the coaches over the stats. If the Mets coaches feel he deserves to continue as a SS, I won’t stress about his error totals in Lo-A.