2
2011
Zack Wheeler Heads Baseball America’s Top 10 Mets Prospects List
An article by Craig Lerner
Baseball America has released their Top 10 Mets Prospects list which shakes out like this:
1. Zack Wheeler, rhp
2. Matt Harvey, rhp
3. Brandon Nimmo, of
4. Jeurys Familia, rhp
5. Cesar Puello, of
6. Jenrry Mejia, rhp
7. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, of
8. Michael Fulmer, rhp
9. Reese Havens, 2b
10. Wilmer Flores, ss
Best Average Hitter: Juan Lagares
Best Power Hitter: Zach Lutz
Best Strike-Zone Judgement: Danny Muno
Best Baserunner: Pedro Zapata
Best Fastball: Zach Wheeler
Best Curveball: Zack Wheeler
Best Slider: Matt Harvey
Best Changeup: Darin Gorski
Last year at this time the Top 10 looked like this:
1. Jenrry Mejia, rhp
2. Wilmer Flores, ss
3. Cesar Puello, of
4. Matt Harvey, rhp
5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, of
6. Reese Havens, 2b
7. Lucas Duda, of/1b
8. Fernando Martinez, of
9. Aderlin Rodriguez, 3b
10. Brad Holt, rhp
Thoughts:
- Holt, Rodriguez and F-Mart have each dropped off the list, while Lucas Duda now enjoys life as the Mets right fielder.
- In just one year, three of the top eight prospects in the organization were brought in by Sandy Alderson, including two of the top three.
- I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael Fulmer debut so high.
- Right-handed starter Jeurys Familia probably made the biggest jump in progress last season.
- One player I thought I’d see on this list is Jordany Valdespin. Jim Callis was high on him over the summer.
Hat tip to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York
About the Author: Craig Lerner
I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.
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Notice that 3 of the top 10 belong to the new front office in one year at the helm.Too bad the anti Alderson group has there heads so far up their ass’ that they can’t even see how bright the future is for the franchise.
Yep the future was really bright for Generation K and Alex Ochoa and Mike Vail.
Easy there, poncho.
Dude not for nothing but that is nothing to be boastful about. Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra and Carlos Gomez were once in the Mets Top 3 according to B.A.
Saying the future is bright cause Wheeler and Nimmo are ranked in the top 3 by B.A. just seems like a stretch.
I think what he’s saying (or what I’m going to say anyway) is that it’s quite impressive that 3 players added into the system in the first year under Alderson have made it to the Top 10 of the organization’s list, which is still heavily-occupied by players from Minaya.
I’m not on either side, and like and dislike aspects of both Minaya’s and Alderson’s tenures. I do think it’s impressive that the players brought in by Alderson would rise to the top of the list over Minaya’s players so quickly (there are plenty of Minaya guys already in the ML, of course, I’m just talking about the prospects he left us in the system).
Definite agree about Wright for Arenado.They are supposedly in love with Wright.I would do a Wright for Arenado and Rosario in a heartbeat.Pomeranz amd White are not being trade as others have suggested.If Wright would sign an extension I’m sure Colorado would do that deal.
I also agree with you on Kirk,Puello and Flores. Flores it srill only 20 but he has to show better plate discipline before he gets bumped up to AA.He is still one of the yongest kids in the FSL and has aa knack for the clutch RBI.No way Havens should even be considered a prospect anymore,I think Valdespin has passed him by.
By midseason Danny Muno and Phil Evans will bump 2 guys off the top 10.Jack Leathersich will find hi way among the top 10 as well.
That’s exactly what I’m saying Drew thanks.
MNJ that’s because the farm was so weak that’s all we had.My point is that things are looking up for the future.It may not pay any dividends in 2012 but I think in 2012 guys like Harvey,Wheeler and Familia could be what Doc,Darling and Fernandez were in 84.I don’t expect any of these guys to be as good as Doc ut they have the upside potential to be a very good rotaton.We alsready have a young Niese that should only get better and Darin Gorski who came out of nowhere last year and had a phenominal season,McHugh,Goedell,Hutchinson,Edgin,Mateo,Montero,Cessa,Morris,Tapia,Urbina and Peavey are also very good arms that could make an impact in the next few years or at the very least use as trade bait to ring in another teams star player that they can’t afford like the Phillies keep doing.
Thanks for expanding on your point. It was just that for me the top 10 in the Mets organization doesnt mean as much as opposed to the top 3 in MLB for reasons that you just used to explain the top 3 i listed at one point.
Our top 10 may not be up to par when held against all of mlb and even if they were say top 10 in all mlb until they actually deliver on that potential isn’t it still like counting your chickens before they hatched to say as you did the future is bright?
I don’t know I guess while on one point I want the Mets farm to be recognized as one of the better farms in baseball. All the recognition means nothing until they actually deliver. Which is why while I am excited to see kids like Harvey for example develop. Until I see him in the bigs succeeding he may just be the next Pelfrey (God forbid).
Brandon Nimmo at Number 3. I don’t think so. Someone has a lot of explaining to do. I love the kid, but he really hasn’t even got his feet wet. Let him earn the ranking.
Des, these rankings are projections only. That’s all you can do with prospects. They’re based on his skill set as much as they are based on their actual performance in the minors.
Although these ranking are claimed to be based on projections, they are sometimes not. Familia, Wheeler, Mejia, Kirk Nieuwenhuis have all worked for their respected ranking position. They moved up the chain as they got better in the minors.
A perfect example: When BA comes out with their top 100 prospect list for 2012, Familia despite being ranked #4 is all but guaranteed to be somewhere in the top 100 (probably anywhere from 70-80). Nimmo on the other hand is ranked #3 right now but will not make the top 100 because he has done nothing in the minors.
Oh boy, how many years till they compete? Nimmo,the third best prospect? He was the 15 th guy in the draft. Puello doesn’t seem to hit for power and doesn’t draw walks. Fullmer was just signed.Havens can’t stay on the field. Flores is going to have to move to a corner spot and doesn’t seem able to hit well enough to play there. Gotta think this system will still be ranked among the lowest in all baseball.
It was at #20 last year with pretty much the same problems. Adding guys like Wheeler, Fulmer, and Leathersich should help and good seasons from Gorski and Harvey should get us to the middle of the pack.
The big problem remains position players. Nimmo and a few IFAs improve that slightly, but it is still a pitching heavy system.
Oops, they were #24 in 2010 and #27 last year. Still, they should be near the middle for the next rankings.
I can’t believe Puello is still on the list. I was appalled last season to see him rated so high, considering he was a strikeout machine with no power who didn’t draw many walks…now, he is a strikeout machine, with some power, who doesn’t draw any walks, and who’s average dropped over 30 points this season. Not to mention he plays terrible, and I do mean terrible, outfield defense. Also, the fact that Capt Kirk is still in the top 10 is terrible news for the Mets farm system, since he suffered a possible career ending injury…really, a guy who may never play again is this organization’s #7 prospect?! Brandon Nimmo has been a pro for 10 minutes (or 10 games to be exact) and his highest level of play prior to being drafted was a high school in Wyoming…not exactly a baseball mecca…out of the 13 MLBers from Wyoming (that’s right…only 13 major leaguers ever came from WY), the best players were Tom Browning, Mike Deveraux, and John Buck. Wilmer Flores took a big step back this season, forget about him not having a position to play, his average dropped 30 points, his OPB was .309, and his SLG was .385…not good for the kid we Mets fans always hear about. And, Reese Havens is #9…I like Havens…glad to see he was healthy enough to play 61 games this year…his nickname should be Reese-Mart.
All-in-all, things do not look good for this team’s future. Need to trade Wright to the Rockies for Nolan Arenado ASAP to jumpstart this minor league system!
Definitely agree about Wright for Arenado.They are supposedly in love with Wright.I would do a Wright for Arenado and Rosario in a heartbeat.Pomeranz amd White are not being traded as others have suggested.If Wright would sign an extension I’m sure Colorado would do that deal.
I also agree with you on Kirk,Puello and Flores. Flores it still only 20 but he has to show better plate discipline before he gets bumped up to AA.He is still one of the yongest kids in the FSL and has aa knack for the clutch RBI.No way Havens should even be considered a prospect anymore,I think Valdespin has passed him by.
By midseason Danny Muno and Phil Evans will bump 2 guys off the top 10.Jack Leathersich will find his way among the top 10 as well.
best curveball zach wheeler??????? who did this list?? paul depodesta?!?! have you seen how familia’s curveball dropped like a darry kyle type curve!?!? this is pure crap if you ask me… also, nimmo #3 and fulmer #8?? in 50 at bats he had 2 extra bases and batted 211.. Fulmer not enpough of to be consider top 10? baseball america as usual stretchin the truth a little ..conspiracy theory right?
I love that how it has come down to the point of slamming our own players because some hate Alderson so much.
That’s right, we don’t want a bright future it’s all about today, that philosophy has been so successful.
I think I’m more disgusted with the ignorant fan base lately than the actually failing team. I can’t imagine any other fan base crying when some of their own are actually being promoted as potentially good players. Now everyone is a scout, a GM, a Manager and a center fielder.
you know, i ususally don’t even reply back to you, but i will… baseball america’s guys are “respected” around baseball. but more often than not, they make an assumption on a player’s high ceiling right?? in this case, wheeler is #1 on the mets list based on his “high ceiling”, not because he was mowing down hitters in single A, harvey and familia have logged more innings in the minors therefore have more experience, now, who would you rather listen too in terms of baseball knowledge, a guy from baseball america who is right about 11% of his predictions in terms of minor leaguers, or wally backman who praised these 2:
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-04/sports/29866061_1_matt-harvey-wally-backman-jeurys-familia
in no way i am trying to difute i am happy with our minor leaguers, but to say nimmo is #3 in our farm system is just ridiculous!!!!
no go back you know where……..
No, I don’t know go back where?
to not commenting whenever you see my name next to it. i have no interest in debating anything with you and i have made it clear for a long time.
btw, you remember baseball america had alex escobar as the mets best prospect at one point?? and alex ochoa as a top 5 along with carlos gomez recently?? just take anything BA tell you with a grain of salt.
Who do you thinkg you are? This is a public site you can’t dictate who can and cannot reply.
I never claimed these guys were going to be the next Cy Young or Willie Mays but while they were NU Mets across their chest I am glad the future looks bright, feel free to pee in your own fruity pebbles if that’s what floats your boat.
I love reading your comments on MMO. I hate it when a few of these brutes from the dark ages resort to bullying. LGM
Alex, did you have your prunes this morning? Get real. Everyone who is civil is allowed to voice their opinion. Neither you nor me is the gatekeeper to the Comments.
Seriously, I like Kay’s comments.
P.S.: Sometimes I even like yours. Alex. lol.
this is not a public site. it is because joe D allow us to be in here for free, but you’re more welcome to go ahead and donate. which i doubt you would or will…
What does that have to do with anything? Are you the treasurer here? It’s a little preposterous for you to assume who did or who didnt donate or if they should. Stick to your dull points, a Jerry Lewis you are not.
i am not a treasurer here, i am not assuming, i am guaranteeing she didn’t donate by her “this is a public site” comment.. how is that being preposterous? don’t bother replying, i don’t waste my time with ppl like you here…
Seems like the only people you do like to debate with are the clods. The CORE salutes you.
the clods????
Your guarantee that I have not made a donation is as accurate as the comments you attempt to make about baseball!
Thanks Lisa but I won’t ever allow anyone to bully me their words are cheap and shallow. Rock on sistah!!!
sigh……………………………………
LMAO Kay!.
Alex: If you’re gonna run around here calling Baseball America out, maybe you should consider where they get their information in order to make projections.
Why is saying Nimmo is #3 ridiculous? Because you’ve seen him play or because he was drafted under the Alderson regime?
You have no idea what Nimmo can and can’t do as a ballplayer, you only judge him based on the fact a GM you don’t like is the one who drafted him.
Since you CLEARLY have no idea what Baseball America does, here is some insight
“Our prospect ratings are based on our own research and conversations with scouts, managers, instructors, front-office personnel and others in the game. Obviously all of that input is very important, but we make the final determination about where players fit on our various lists.
We pay the most attention to a player’s long-term potential, and his chances of reaching that potential. A pitcher who could be a No. 1 starter usually rates higher than a guy who’s seen as a No. 4 starter, for instance, even if the second player has performed better in the minors. Others who rate prospects often pay more attention to a player’s present value—what he can do for an organization right away.
That’s why even players who haven’t lived up to expectations yet can be so high in our prospect ratings. Based on their ability and potential, if they put it all together they could be major league stars. Another thing to pay attention to is a player’s age. A 19-year-old who’s putting up decent numbers in Triple-A is much more impressive than a 22-year-old who’s tearing up a Class A league.
Of course no one can ever predict with certainty whether a player will reach his potential or whether an unheralded player will come through and surprise everyone. But we think Baseball America has a solid track record, which is why most people regard us as the best source of prospect information in the business.”
am i calling BA out??? tell me where i am calling them out??
again, if you notice i said they based their projections on high ceiling. nothing more, again, take it with a grain of salt bro, this aint news, every year they say x player will be this and Z player will be that and most of the time they’re wrong. it is what it is. remember alex escobar? alex ochoa? paul wilson? bill pusiper? darren dreifort to name a few? they don’t come out after they make they’re stupid projection or prediction and apologize, why should i?? hell, not long ago they said justin smoak will be the next big thing for seattle, yeah, uh huh, how’s that 247 Carrer BA is working out in seattle?? please, don’t be all douchy here ok. and btw, i am not calling out anyone for donating or not, i can care less, but i said that this is not a public website, that joe D makes it that way for us. and by assuming she didn’t knwo about it i also assume and rightfully so that she hasn’t made any donations.
Alex: “am i calling BA out??? tell me where i am calling them out??”
“baseball america’s guys are “respected” around baseball. but more often than not, they make an assumption on a player’s high ceiling right?? in this case, wheeler is #1 on the mets list based on his “high ceiling”, not because he was mowing down hitters in single A, harvey and familia have logged more innings in the minors therefore have more experience”
“now, who would you rather listen too in terms of baseball knowledge, a guy from baseball america who is right about 11% of his predictions in terms of minor leaguers, or wally backman who praised these 2:”
“but to say nimmo is #3 in our farm system is just ridiculous!!!!”
That seems like calling out Baseball America to me
“and btw, i am not calling out anyone for donating or not, i can care less”
Really? Caring less and not calling people out for whether they donate or not?
“but you’re more welcome to go ahead and donate. which i doubt you would or will…” “i am not a treasurer here, i am not assuming, i am guaranteeing she didn’t donate by her “this is a public site” comment.. how is that being preposterous? don’t bother replying, i don’t waste my time with ppl like you here…”
he’s not slamming anybody.
What he basically said was:
1) Familia has a better curve than Wheeler – That’s slamming?
2) Nimmo and Fulmer were ranked too high – He’s right about that, Nimmo should be a lot lower, and Fulmer probably shouldn’t be on the top ten.
He has the right to his opinion on where the Mets players should be ranked without being attacked for it.
you know vinny, is funny how he copy and paste when other make comments, yet whenever he makes erroneous comments he never copy and paste them.. how about you pasting your little crappy article about brad eamus and OBP?? huh? for once stop being such an ahole. ok..
again, i will say this, nimmo ranked #3 is stretching the truth, am i wrong about that?? would you rank a guy who hit 211 #3 in any organization?? especially you jesse who always talk about numbers??
also, i will say this again, i rather listen to wally backman 400000x before i listen to anybody in BA or is a sabergeek. wally played baseball, breaths baseball, knows baseball, and is around baseball all the time, so i am sure he knows what he’s saying when he compared familia’s curveball with gooden. and, you do remember gooden’s curve ball right? i mean, even at the age of 6 you watch him right?? live and let live bro, stop being a douch0e.
Alex, I appreciate the help, but I dont want anyone to donate at gunpoint. Also, Kay, Des and srt are among the most generous donors. I would rather we keep the discussion on baseball and not donations. Thanks.
joe D, if you go back to read again, all i said was that this websiote wasn’t free.. jesse wants me banned therefore he instigate the situation to make it seem like i’m starting a warfare here in the blog..
No, you are making donating a prerequisite to joining in conversations. Which is odd since you should have no access to who is donating how much.
No all you said was “this is not a public site. it is because joe D allow us to be in here for free, but you’re more welcome to go ahead and donate. which i doubt you would or will…”
“i am not a treasurer here, i am not assuming, i am guaranteeing she didn’t donate by her “this is a public site” comment.. how is that being preposterous? don’t bother replying, i don’t waste my time with ppl like you here…”
“i am not calling out anyone for donating or not, i can care less, but i said that this is not a public website, that joe D makes it that way for us. and by assuming she didn’t knwo about it i also assume and rightfully so that she hasn’t made any donations.”
When I said it’s a public site, I meant that if you go to any search engine and type in NY Mets Blogs – MMO comes up, to me that means it’s open to the public, you do not need a special private invitation to participate, if that wasn’t clear I apologize, but in the future I think it’s in your best interest to stop making guarantees and promises you clearly cannot back up, and Joe D said above.
Lets Go Mets
Vinny, see its not what he says and it’s HOW he says it
“best curveball zach wheeler??????? who did this list?? paul depodesta?!?!”
Right there, clear agenda driven comment.
“this is pure crap if you ask me”
“also, nimmo #3 and fulmer #8?? in 50 at bats he had 2 extra bases and batted 211..” — Clearly a lack of understanding that this is a projection for the future not based on 2011 at bats.
“baseball america as usual stretchin the truth a little ..conspiracy theory right?”
“Basically” saying something and “alex saying something” are 2 different things.
Show me where “slammed” any of the Mets players.
He said Familia had a great curve, and that it was better than Wheeler’s. And then made a joke about Depodesta making the list – He did not say anything bad about any Mets prospects.
And he thinks Nimmo and Fulmer should be lower…..He’s not slamming them, he’s just giving his opinion about them.
vinny,
that is what he does, he’s a dou0che imo, don’t bother, but i am glad you and other have taken notice in who he truly is and what he does. i will say my truly feeling about him, but joe D told me not to bring up anything raci-al in this blog so i’ll leave it alone
The Real Top 10 Mets Prospect list:
1. Matt Harvey
2. Zack Wheeler
3. Jeurys Familia
4. Jenrry Mejia
5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis
6. Wilmer flores
7. Cesar Puello
8. Reese Havens
9. Jordanny Valdispin
10. Juan Lagares
Extended list:
11. Brandon Nimmo
12. Matt Den Decker
13. Corey Vaughn
14. Darin Gorski
15. Danny Muno