I have a number of running spreadsheets for the Mets farm system that are all updated on a monthly basis with rankings and depth charts that are updated regularly. I use this document constantly, as I’m making my posts and while we are in the postseason we begin to see a healthy amount of speculation appears as I try to predict how the rosters will pan out. What follows is how I predict the Mets will set up their top players within their farm.
AAA – Syracuse Mets
Top AAA Prospect: Mark Vientos, 3B #4
The story out of Syracuse will actually be their outfield, despite Vientos being the top prospect at the level. The Mets have Khalil Lee, Nick Plummer and Carlos Cortes (Vientos might even continue to be given looks in left field). This means that the team is overloaded with talented players on the cusp of the majors looking to crack a Mets outfield that currently has no vacancies. Khalil Lee and Nick Plummer have similar storylines as they are looking to prove that the numbers they’ve achieved in the minors (which have been solid) will translate to the majors.
This also means that players 1-4 in the Syracuse lineup have some nice hitting potential for speed and power and should make Syracuse a fairly competitive team. This is intriguing for AAA playoff implications as the Mets may have more of their top prospects join this team before the end of the year and it would be great to get them some experience in playoff baseball.
On the pitching front, Harol Gonzalez, Josh Walker and Adam Oller all qualify as prospects and starters while Thomas Szapucki is probably going to be relegated into the bullpen. There should actually be a ton of solid pitching in AAA as the Mets will hope to have David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi all spending time in the rotation as they wait for injuries to rear their ugly heads.
Possible Surprise: Carlos Cortes has been a hitter at all levels of the minors but he isn’t overwhelming in any facet of his game or a tremendous defensive player. Cortes is, if nothing else, consistent and that means he could have a nice career as a bench player.
AA – Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Top AA Prospect: Francisco Alvarez, C #1
Obviously, listing the “Top Prospect” is a little silly at this level as the Mets have their Top 3 all headed to Binghamton. The Mets actually have a ton of Top 50 talent at this level as well with players like Jake Mangum and Hayden Senger also slated to start their years at this level but all eyes will be on the core of the lineup Francisco Alvarez #1, Brett Baty #2 and Ronny Mauricio #3.
Fans who are looking to get to see all three in the same lineup should do what they can to catch a game early in the season as the Mets have some flexibility to promote these players to Syracuse if they get off to good starts.
On the pitching side of things Jose Butto is the headliner of the rotation with the likes of Tony Dibrell, Michel Otanez, Justin Lasko and Eric Orze looking to break out and establish some major league relevance
Possible Surprise: Hayden Senger was a surprise last year as the defensive catcher emerged as a relevant hitter for solid stretches of time. If Senger’s 2021 wasn’t a fluke he could develop into quite a handy backup catcher.
A+ – Brooklyn Cyclones
Top A+ Prospect: J.T. Ginn, RHP #5
The Mets farm system is quite top-heavy at the moment with few relevant prospects slated to begin their years with Brooklyn. J.T. Ginn and Matt Allan (once healthy) represent the biggest prospect names but the team does boast five Top 20 prospects (Mets360.com list).
On the offensive side of things Jose Peroza is probably the biggest pure bat while being ranked lower than both Alexander Ramirez and Jaylen Palmer. It’s possible that some of these players make good on their raw talent and break out but it’s equally likely that prospects who were at one time promising go the route of Adrian Hernandez and disappear entirely from relevance.
With pitching it’s also worth noting that neither Ginn nor Allan are guaranteed to stick in Advanced A for very long. The Mets could be quick to promote either as there is actually a decent amount of Top 50 prospects who may be ready to test the A+ waters.
Possible Surprise: While he’s ranked the lowest of the three, Jose Peroza could be the best offensive player at this level. The issue he will find is that the Mets definitely don’t need another third baseman. Keep an eye on where the Mets play Peroza because a shift of position could actually indicate the team holds him in higher regard and are looking for his future home.
A – Port St. Lucie Mets
Top A Prospect: Dominic Hamel, RHP #14
The Mets only have three Top 20 prospects assigned at this level and none of them are on the offensive side of the ball. Dominic Hamel, Calvin Ziegler and Robert Dominguez are all potentially relevant starting pitchers and they are all going to be targeting promotions to Brooklyn as quickly as they can manage it.
Dominguez has a very high ceiling but is ranked lower than Hamel and Ziegler who have a little more polish on their pitching. Even without much in the way of offensive talent, I’d expect the Mets to draft heavily for pitching in the amateur draft as they look to correct the farm after the 2021 debacle with Kumar Rocker.
Possible Surprise: Mike Vasil was once thought of as a potential Top 15 pick but he opted out of entering the draft before going to college and having the Virginia coaches alter his delivery. Drafted by the Mets in the 8th round, the Mets are claiming to have fixed those issues. If that is the case he could be an absolute steal for the organization.
MLB reportedly wants the power to cut down the overall minor league system from 180 players to 150 players, so that sounds like to me that they want to cut another minor league team out (to save expenses?)
If that did happen, I would guess the stateside ones are safe for now and they would just change from having 2 Dominican summer league teams to just 1.