Mets Minors: Preseason Part III, those ranked 31-50

Finishing out our Top 50 rankings we reach a grouping of players that tend to fall into two distinct categories. Players with limited potential (meaning that they aren’t likely to reach the majors as everyday players but they are close to the majors) and lottery tickets (players who are so far from the majors they really could wind up being anything. The handful of players that don’t really fit in one of these groups would qualify as scout darlings who haven’t shown results and players who played well but need to repeat it to have people really take notice.

31. Nate Lavender, LHP – AAA Syracuse
32. Jose Peroza, 3B – AAA Syracuse
33. Kade Morris, RHP – AA Binghamton
34. Matt Rudick, OF – AAA Syracuse
35. Nick Morabito, Util – A+ Brooklyn
36. Yohairo Cuevas, 1B – A+ Brooklyn
37. Jeremiah Jackson, IF – AA Binghamton
38. Raimon Gomez, RHP – A+ Brooklyn
39. Leandy Mella, SS – DSL Dominican Republic
40. JT Schwartz, 1B – AAA Syracuse
41. Wilfredo Lara, Util – A Port St. Lucie
42. Joel Diaz, RHP – A Port St. Lucie
43. Justin Jarvis, RHP – AAA Syracuse
44. Bohan Adderly, OF – DSL Dominican Republic
45. Daviel Hurtado, LHP – R Port St. Lucie
46. Joander Suarez, RHP – AA Binghamton
47. Franklin Gomez, RHP – A Port St. Lucie
48. Branny De Oleo, SS – DSL Dominican Republic
49. Rowdey Jordan, Util – AA Binghamton
50. Vladi Guerrero, OF – DSL Dominican Republic

Nate Lavender – The top two players on this list are intriguing because both could rank higher or lower and be justified. Lavender is a major league ready left-handed reliever who will see time in Queens this summer. He’s a solid option but will need to show success in the majors to make good. If he gets that success he should have been in the Top 20 and if he doesn’t, ranking 31st is way too generous.

Jose Peroza (The “Bold” Choice) – Players like Peroza are frustrating to rank. He’s been good in the minors for years but has never been great. His defense is solid but his ultimate MLB role is that of a bench player. A bench player is not something to ignore though. Basically, if the Mets lose Brett Baty or he struggles in the majors, Peroza is the man to hold the fort until the Mets find a permanent 3B solution. Peroza happens to play 3B, 2B and 1B decently and looks to have the right mentality to be a solid bench performer.

Kade Morris – A round 3 pick from the 2023 draft Morris should begin the year in Brooklyn based on his age alone. He has a decent shot of rising up the rankings with a strong early showing and is a player to watch.

Matt Rudick – A darling of 2023, Rudick hit very very well and got noticed by scouts seemingly out of nowhere. Rudick only began his minor league career in 2021 and some people might assume that means he has some time to prove himself but Rudick is actually 25 years old. The 5’6” lefty outfielder has a little power, a good eye and a near impossible task if he is going to become a major leaguer.

Nick Morabito – There is no question, I will always have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Morabito. I didn’t like the Mets picking him and he can do little to win me over. His 2023 was actually pretty good but the Mets had him playing in the FCL and SLU and he should have probably reached Brooklyn and started in Low A. He’ll start in Brooklyn this year and if he repeats his numbers will earn his way up the rankings whether I like him or not.

Yohairo Cuevas – The Mets have very few “true” first baseman in their minors. I would imagine the Mets believe that Pete Alonso is hanging around or are putting their emphasis on tougher fielding positions. Cuevas has power but struggled in Low A. He may be assigned back to St. Lucie to begin the year but will hopefully find his way to Brooklyn soon enough.

Jeremiah Jackson – There are a lot of players who are listed at the shortstop position who are destined to move elsewhere. In the depth charts, Jackson is the 7th ranked shortstop and has already begun splitting time between short, second, third and the outfield. With some power and speed he still has a surprisingly high ceiling for ranking this low but his window for achieving is closing.

Raimon Gomez – Brian wrote an excellent article on starters in the minors becoming relievers in the majors. Gomez is one of another breed who are relief pitchers from an earlier point. While his 2023 appearances came as a starter, he only pitched a handful of innings each time and doesn’t appear to have much hope of starting. He has stuff as well but his results in the minors don’t suggest he’s on the cusp of breaking out.

Leandy Mella – Another promising DSL player whom the Mets just drafted. Mella is a lottery ticket who scouts ranked just outside their Top 50. He’s a long shot but a player to keep an eye on.

JT Schwartz – Fist Baseman who don’t have a ton of power aren’t destined for greatness. His .820 OPS in AA last season was largely a product of doubles. Schwartz hits enough to deserve this ranking but is a longshot for the majors.

Wilfredo Lara – At a young age he put together a very fine season in Low A St. Lucie in 2023. What troubles me is that these numbers were aided by sudden power and sudden power is troubling in this day and age. Maybe he made adjustments or maybe he’s destined for a suspension. Time will tell.

Joel Diaz – Like Raimon Gomez, Diaz throws hard and scouts are impressed with his stuff. Unlike Gomez he spent 2023 on the shelf. The Mets are hoping that Diaz can come back from injury and break out in 2023.

Justin Jarvis – Nothing about his 2023 should suggest that Jarvis has a future as a major league starter. The former fifth-round pick had a solid 2022 but now tops out as a back-end relief pitcher.

Bohan Adderly – Another promising DSL player whom the Mets just drafted. Mella is a lottery ticket who scouts ranked just outside their Top 50. He’s a long shot but a player to keep an eye on.

Daviel Hurtado – One of the better international signees from last season. The Mets are hoping for more from him in 2024.

Joander Suarez (The “Bold” Choice) – Many people rank Suarez higher but having watched him for 5 seasons over 6 years (thanks to covid) Suarez seems to have had his chances for success and missed them. Maybe his 2023 breakout in Binghamton was real but I trust his mediocre numbers in Brooklyn more. He’s a bold choice because other lists have him far higher than my own.

Franklin Gomez – Pitched well in the DSL and earned a stateside trip. Pitched well again in the FCL before struggling in limited time in Port St. Lucie. Gomez had a very good year overall and should be on your watch list.

Branny De Oleo – I actually didn’t have this international signee on my lists but have included him because other Top 50 lists did. He is another name to check in on down in the DSL.

Rowdey Jordan – If we only look at June and July, Jordan looks like a great unknown prospect breaking out in AA but the rest of his season brings those numbers back to earth.

Vladi Guerrero – I’m a Met fan who still remembers when the Mets thought about bringing Vladimir Guerrero (his father) to Queens and didn’t. There isn’t a lot of reason to include him in the Top 50 other than name recognition and at my #50 overall I’m willing to do just that.