(Robert Emrich / MiLB.com)
We have decided as a team here at MMO/MMN to take a look at the best individual tools among Mets prospects. We’ll look at the talents of the position players first. They are going to be in a group of three that is in no particular order. To come up with three for each, Teddy was given first choice, Jacob second, and then finally I was last. We were not allowed to name the same player for any particular tool. Here goes…
Best Pure Hitter: Best Power Hitter:
Teddy – T.J. Rivera, 2B Travis Taijeron, OF
Jacob – Dominic Smith, 1B Dash Winningham, 1B
Mike – Jeff McNeil, IF David Thompson, 3B
Best Plate Discipline: Fastest Runner:
Teddy – Luis Guillorme, SS Champ Stuart, OF
Jacob – Jonathan Johnson, 2B Patrick Biondi, OF
Mike – Brandon Nimmo, OF Raphael Ramirez, OF
Outfield Defense: Infield Defense:
Teddy – John Mora, OF Luis Guillorme, SS
Jacob – Champ Stuart, OF Milton Ramos, SS/2B
Mike – Jared King, OF Dominic Smith, 1B
Catcher Defense: Athlete:
Teddy – Jose Garcia, C Ivan Wilson, CF
Jacob – Xorge Carrillo, C Wuilmer Becerra, OF
Mike – Ali Sanchez, C Desmond Lindsay, OF
Infield Arm: Outfield Arm:
Teddy: Jhoan Urena, 3B Michael Bernal, OF
Jacob: Amed Rosario, SS Wuilmer Becerra, OF
Mike – Gregory Guerrero, SS Maikis De La Cruz, OF
One name that is noticeably missing from this is Mets shortstop prospect Gavin Cecchini, who doesn’t have one great tool. Instead he showed solid tools in a bunch of areas last year with the bat, he would have been my next pick for pure hitter and plate discipline.
This list shows that there are some guys who aren’t top prospects that still have one or two really good tools (Stuart/Wilson) but have shown little to no improvement in other areas. Stuart is an 80 grade speedster but struck out 141 times last season in just 330 at bats over 97 games. Wilson has great raw power potential and is a good athlete, however he is another guy who is averaging more than one strikeout per game (58 in 146 at bats over 42 games in 2015).
Next week we will do the top tools for the talented pitchers in the Mets farm system. Be sure to check out MetsMinors.net, your #1 source for Mets prospect news!
