Andres Gimenez/Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
Baseball America updated their top 100 prospects list, and two Mets made the cut. Andres Gimenez came it at No. 69 on the list and Peter Alonso came in at No. 77 on the same list.
They had this to say about Gimenez:
“Gimenez has a shorter, thicker build than many shortstops but compensates with twitchy athleticism. Scouts expect him to impact the ball more frequently as his body matures and he gains strength in his 20s.”
They also added, “His instincts and feel for the game will keep him at shortstop-where he has plus defensive potential-as he climbs the ladder.”
He’s not flashy and his ceiling might be limited but there is plenty to like about Gimenez. Do not underestimate the ability of a young hitter who can put the bat on the ball and has the natural instincts to play the most premium position in baseball.
Of course the natural tendency of every fan will be to compare him to Amed Rosario but I do think it is unfair to both. Rosario was seen as the more raw prospect while Gimenez should come up with more polished tools. Just because you might have reservations about Amed Rosario ever reaching his potential doesn’t mean you should be down on Andres Gimenez
Rick Nelson/MiLB Photo
Onto to the next player. Here is what Baseball America said about Alonso:
“Alonso generates by far the highest exit velocity and has the most power in the Mets system. He looks for pitches to elevate with his plus-plus raw power, and the ball carries to all fields when he connects. In addition to plus game power, Alonso has a chance for an average to above hit tool because he hits the ball hard with frequency and doesn’t swing and miss as much as many sluggers.”
Alonso started off the season looking like Paul Goldschmidt 2.0 but has cooled off a little bit since then. Regardless, scouts love his raw power and for good reason. I think it is only a matter of time before he regains his stroke from earlier in the season. He has a great work ethic and he works very hard to improve his game. The Mets will probably give Dominic Smith a long leash so there is no reason to rush Alonso this season.
Other prospects who could make this list down the line could be David Peterson, Jarred Kelenic, and Justin Dunn. Dunn has really rebounded well from a poor 2017 season and Peterson is progressing as expected. He could finish the season at Double-A. Kelenic is dominating the GCL in his early professional career. He was deemed the best prep hitter of the 2018 draft class and should make the list by the beginning of next season, if not earlier.
