Hear ye, hear ye. Friends, countrymen, and Mets fans, lend me your ears. Today, we do hereby proclaim, that henceforth this 30th day of January shall forever be remembered as Keith Law Day.
And with that, here are Keith Law’s Top 10 Mets Prospects, available through ESPN Insider.
Organization Ranking: 4
Top 10 Mets Prospects
1. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
2. Michael Conforto, LF
3. Kevin Plawecki, C
4. Dominic Smith, 1B
5. Amed Rosario, SS
6. Brandon Nimmo, OF
7. Dilson Herrera, 2B
8. Steven Matz, LHP
9. Rafael Montero, RHP
10. Gavin Cecchini, SS
Overview Snippets
This system continues to improve each year thanks to strong drafts, an influx of international talent, and a patient front office that hasn’t dealt any prospects for major-league help … although the time has probably come for the latter. I’d rather see that than to have them cough up a first-round pick for the embers of Michael Cuddyer‘s career.
Herrera just missed the top 100, a potential above-average regular at second base who has great bat speed and is an above-average runner, athletic enough to be a plus defender at second but more erratic there in the majors than I expected, given his history at shortstop and play at second in double-A. He should be ready to take over the position by midyear.
Matz’ comeback the last two years has been a great story, as he missed three years after he was drafted due to Tommy John surgery and other injuries; he’s got plus velocity and an above-average to plus changeup, but the delivery’s a bit mechanical and he’s more control than command, probably a good-quality No. 4 starter in the end if he can stay healthy.
Michael Fulmer is the mystery man of the system, missing the beginning and end of the year with knee injuries; he’ll show three present above-average pitches in the fastball (up to 97), slider, and change, and can even spin a curveball. There’s some effort to the delivery, and if the knee issues don’t stop he would profile very well as a power reliever who might pitch with a 70 fastball and 70 slider.
They also have their own Jack and Mrs. Sprat with Champ Stuart, a Bahamian-born 80 runner with a decent idea at the plate and improving defense in center; and catcher Brandon Brosher, who has as much power as Stuart has speed, but whose season ended after seven games (with four homers) when he slipped in the Kingsport dugout and broke his leg.
The Mets could see a lot of help from within this year, as Syndergaard, Plawecki and Herrera should all be in the big leagues to stay by August, while Matz and Montero could also get the call to help in the back of the rotation.
Hansel Robles should end up in the bullpen this summer as long as he throws strikes in Triple-A this spring. Matt Reynolds (14) could get some big league time at shortstop if and when the Mets tire of watching Wilmer Flores struggle there; Reynolds is just average at the position but will make the routine plays — a better, more reliable version of Ruben Tejada who just doesn’t have the power to play semi-regularly at any other spot.
Third baseman Jhoan Urena (11) hit only five home runs for Brooklyn this summer, but there’s a lot more raw power in there, and he’s going to be pretty good at third base given some more instruction. He makes a lot of loud contact and the Mets rave about his makeup, especially his enthusiasm for learning.
