Jan
10
2012

Matt Harvey Tops BP Mets Prospect List

An article by Joe D

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus sums up the Mets farm system like this:

With improvement coming via all three areas—draft, trades, international—the Mets are finally moving in the right direction.

Here are eleven of his Top 20 prospects:

Five-Star Prospects

1. Matt Harvey, RHP

2. Zack Wheeler, RHP

Four-Star Prospects

3. Jeurys Familia, RHP

Three-Star Prospects

4. Brandon Nimmo, OF

5. Juan Lagares, OF

6. Jordany Valdespin, 2B

7. Jenrry Mejia, RHP

8. Reese Havens, 2B

9. Cesar Puello, OF

10. Michael Fulmer, RHP

11. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF

Regarding Matt Harvey he adds:

Harvey attacks hitters with a 92-95 mph fastball that can touch 97 and features plenty of life. His slider gives him a second bat-missing offering with its heavy two plane break, and Harvey is comfortable throwing it at any point in the count. He’s an efficient pitcher who throws strikes and has the kind of body and delivery designed to handle a big league workload.

I’ve seen Wheeler and Harvey flip-flopped as the Mets No. 1 prospect a lot in the last few months. It doesn’t really matter who is ranked number one all I care about is seeing both of them realize their true potential and not end up like a former Mets No. 1 Prospect; Fernando Martinez.

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

26 Comments + Add Comment

srt January 10, 2012 at 10:22 am

Nice….Baseball Prospectus has us with 2 five star prospects? That’s a better position than I thought we’d be in going back to this same time last year.

Just keeping my fingers crossed they both pan out. Would be icing on the cake if the 4 star prospect Familia did too.
- LA Mets Fan January 11, 2012 at 12:05 am
  
  Two 5-star guys is huge. I’m actually starting to believe the hype on Wheeler and Harvey, I hope they shine this season.
Tommy2cat January 10, 2012 at 10:39 am

It’s an accurate list. And here’s the rest that round-out the top 20 – it’s an accurate list and a good one. Has Alderson’s pawprints on it!

Nine More (Parenthetical comments are mine):

12. Cory Mazzoni, RHP: 2011 second-rounder was great in brief debut; will move to rotation in 2012. (Seen footage of him play baseball – he’s got really, really nasty stuff AND he can hit!!!)

13. Akeel Morris, RHP: 20-year-old Virgin Islands native has big, but unrefined, power arm.

14. Darin Gorski, LHP: Had arguably the best stats of any pitcher in the system, but he’s older and has more finesse than stuff. (Very, very intriguing. His stellar performance follows an adjustment in his delivery – which means EVERYTHING. It’s like finding the key that unlocks the door to success. Trust me on this one – Gorski is the REAL DEAL)

15. Phillip Evans, SS: Over slot 15th-rounder profiles as offense-oriented second baseman (Heard alot of good things about him)

16. Wilmer Flores, INF: Bat has never taken expected move forward while scouts see big moves down defensive spectrum. (Convert him to Catcher NOW!!! – We waited too long with Daniel Murphy)

17. Jefry Marte, 3B: Age and strong showing in Arizona Fall League saves him; some scouts still believe in the bat. (Wait & See)

18. Juan Urbina, LHP: Shows flashes of high-ceiling potential, but not enough of them. (He’ll take time, but shows promise)

19. Chris Schwinden, RHP: Reached the big leagues, but what you see is what you get with potential to be a number-five starter. (My kids nick-named him “South Park”)

20. Darrell Ceciliani, OF: Plus speed and a leadoff man’s approach, but never got going with the bat in full-season debut. (Wait & See)…

2-Cat
Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 10:55 am

Ahh, NOW this is more like it… Familia will be our stud for years to come.. i am looking forward for him and harvey to be up with the club this year by mid june or next year!!
- trs86 January 10, 2012 at 11:01 am
  
  I am not sure it is good news at all if either are up this year. Wouldn’t it be nice to see players actually develop and have a chance to prove themselves in the minors instead of being thrown out there because of poor planning and decision making on the big league level?
- Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 11:28 am
  
  So wait, if familia and harvey are DOMINATING triple A wouldn’t you want either or both of them up just to see what they got instead of watching mike pelfrey be horrible every 5th day!?!?
  - srt January 10, 2012 at 11:32 am
    
    Not exactly……they brought Pelfrey up too early and that might have contributed to what we’re looking at now with Big Pelf.
    
    And how come no love for Wheeler?
    - trs86 January 10, 2012 at 11:55 am
      
      Obviously because he is associated with Sandy and would invalidate many of his arguments.
    - Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 12:22 pm
      
      No love for wheeler??? because he’s at least 4 years away.. on the other hand familia and harvey will be up 2 years ahead of him,…. talk to me about wheeler in 2014…
      - trs86 January 10, 2012 at 12:31 pm
        
        4 years away? I have seen very few if any projections that have him 4 years away.
      - Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 1:00 pm
        
        you’re right TRS86 i should listen to you and give him love NOW when he’s what? 3 years away??? isn’t he 19 now?? you’re the one who always preach about the kids to fully develop in the minors right? so igive wheeler 4 years and you bitch and moan… figures1
      - Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 1:04 pm
        
        you’re right TRS86 i should listen to you and give him love NOW when he’s what? 3 years away??? isn’t he 19 now?? you’re the one who always preach about the kids to fully develop in the minors right? so i give wheeler 4 years and you b****and moan… figures
  - XtreemIcon January 10, 2012 at 11:32 am
    
    Not necessarily. Depends are where the Mets are. If they’re out of it, do you want their arbitration clock started for no reason? Get back to me by the deadline, when there might be spots available in the rotation. No sense in discussing this now.
  - trs86 January 10, 2012 at 11:56 am
    
    Bringing them up in August when the AAA season is over and rosters are expanded is one thing. Bringing them up in July to actually take a spot in the rotation is risky IMO.
    - Donal January 10, 2012 at 1:12 pm
      
      Well, if he’s blowing up the International League, they may not have a choice.
- Joe Diaz January 10, 2012 at 11:42 am
  
  You may be right Alex.If Familia ever developes that change up,forget it.He’s flat out nasty.
  - Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 12:23 pm
    
    98 mph, great curve.. once he controls his fastball, the man will be untouchable… gooden like stuff!!
    - Des January 10, 2012 at 12:39 pm
      
      Alex68 — So he has problems controlling his fastball and needs work on his change up. C’mon. He’s got to be better than that. He’s at least four years away!!! lol. Alex please explain.
    - Alex68 January 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm
      
      Des, he throws hard, but he’s a little wild, usually in the minors you refined your pitches.. he went to pitch in the DWL and dominated in the few outings he participated.. including the first 3 batters he faced, struck all 3 out.. on 100 mph fastballs.. point is, this kid will be the man..
Mack Ade January 10, 2012 at 11:52 am

You would think a well paid sportswriter, from a well funded sports organization, would take the time to research that everytime Jordany Valdespin plays second base, something goes wrong.

Spin is a shortstop.
- Donal January 10, 2012 at 12:28 pm
  
  18 more errors in 359 fewer chances at SS. Seems everytime he plays shortstop, something goes wrong at a greater frequency.
  - Mack Ade January 10, 2012 at 12:34 pm
    
    Donal:
    
    The stats you quote are true, but, yo have to watch him play over a two year season and talk with the coaches.
    
    Many of his shortstop errors came early and were on rutine plays he simply didn’t follow through on. These were in his 2-year trouble-maker period.
    
    He’s a shortstop.
    
    Trust me.
    - Donal January 10, 2012 at 12:41 pm
      
      “The stats you quote are true, but, yo have to watch him play over a two year season and talk with the coaches.”
      
      And you don’t think KG did that?
      
      “Many of his shortstop errors came early and were on rutine plays he simply didn’t follow through on. These were in his 2-year trouble-maker period.”
      
      He has 49 career errors at SS. 32 came in 2011.
    - Des January 10, 2012 at 12:43 pm
      
      Mack — Is he still stabbing at the ball? Doing this shows a lack of discipline.
JetsMets13 January 10, 2012 at 1:44 pm

I agree with what you said at the end. Who cares which player has more upside or higher ceiling, lets just cross our fingers and hope they all meet expectations. These lists really mean nothing in the long run and only serve as who’s who among Mets prospects.
Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado January 11, 2012 at 12:36 am

I like baseball prospectus…they rank Arenado the #1 prospect in The Rockies organization. Ahem, David Wright trade, just saying.

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