Photo by Logan Barer, MMO
Earlier this morning Fangraphs dropped their top 100 prospects list, and they seem to be fond of some Mets products. The following players made their list:
48: Peter Alonso
52: Andres Gimenez
68: Ronny Mauricio
92: Mark Vientos
We’ve all grown accustomed to seeing Alonso among the ranks on these lists, but it’s good to see Alonso in the top half of one of these lists. Fangraphs is also the only site with tools ratings to give Alonso his proper 80-grade raw power, with 55/70 in-game power. Fangraphs goes on to call Alonso’s possible average future outcome to be somewhere along the lines of the 2018 seasons of C.J. Cron and Jesus Aguilar. They also note his efforts defensively, but note that he is still a below average fielder.
Gimenez was not far behind here, ranking 52nd on this list, just four places behind Alonso. Fangraphs looks at Gimenez’ middle infield defense as his largest positives and helps make him an everyday player. They are a bit in between on his hitting tools though. Noting his sneak power during the season in high-A, but also noting the lack of it during his showing in the AFL as a 19-year-old. They do liken his offensive potential to be somewhere in the realms of Ozzie Albies, noting that if his contact ability becomes a real tool, he has a swing that could find some lift and bring him there.
Mauricio has to be the biggest surprise on this list. It’s not a surprise that he made it on here, but rather, just how high up he was on the list. Ranked at 68th, Mauricio is compared to the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Manny Machado, Carlos Correa, and the number three prospect on this list, Fernando Tatis Jr., for his combination of larger frame and athletic ability. They note that he has the physical gifts to stay at short, but also grow into some “huge power.” Fangraphs also seems to have liked his ability to keep up with his aggressive placement as a 17-year-old, stateside in the Gulf Coast League, and his ability to not be overwhelmed there. They believe if he outgrows shortstop, that he will be a plus glove and bat at third base.
Mark Vientos also cracked the bottom-10 of Fangraphs’ list. They considered his performance in the Appalachian League in 2018 a breakout. Also believing that Vientos has shown the competitiveness that scouts once believed he lacked for bringing the results he did in a powerful lineup in Kingsport. They seem to question just how real the hit tool is, given its rating is at a 25/55, but also note that he may have turned a corner there. While noting some concerns for his defense, as he is a below average runner, they also say he has the ability to be an average defender at third.
Former Mets prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn also made the list at 84 and 89 respectively. Kelenic is touted for his well rounded skill and excellent raw power. Dunn was regarded as having four plus pitches with the development of his curve and especially change-up in 2018. His change-up is now regarded as a 50/55 pitch, which is the best that it has been rated by any pundit.
