Identifying Two Intriguing Mets’ Prospects At Each Minor League Level

It is just past the halfway mark in minor league baseball which means several of the standings in the league are reset for the second half. Unfortunately, for the teams that make up the New York Mets’ system, there was not a lot of success in the first half. Only one of the squads in the higher levels – Single-A through Triple-A – finished with a record above .500 (Double-A Binghamton at 35-34). Luckily, most of the teams have started the second half much better.

Despite that, this does not mean each of the teams are not lined with intriguing prospects. So, who are some of the under-the-radar guys Mets’ fans should keep their eyes on as each work their way up the system?

Note, this list did not include impressive under-the-radar guys in Paul Gervase and Christian Scott as features were just published on each of the recently. The one on Gervase can be read here and the one on Scott can be read here. 

Triple-A (Syracuse): Luke Ritter and Nate Lavender

Luke Ritter was terrific in the first half which resulted in a call-up June 12. Before his call up from Double-A Binghamton, he posted an OPS of .958 with 14 home runs for the Rumble Ponies. He continued this power surge in Triple-A as he already has four long balls across only 74 at-bats. His 19 organizational home runs leads all Mets’ minor leaguers.

In all, the five-foot-11 second baseman has an OPS of .890 across the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season. It is a great bounce back after the 26-year-old posted a .204 average and .673 OPS in the minors last season. Another good sign is after he struggled in Triple-A during a short stint earlier this season, his second call-up has been much better. He is 14-for-53 and 5-for-11 over his last three games.

As for left-handed relief pitcher Nate Lavender, he has built upon an extremely successful 2021-22 season. So far this year he owns a 2.08 ERA across 26 Double-A and Triple-A innings. He has struck out a staggering 43 batters across these appearances. This is after posting a 1.70 ERA and 67 strikeouts across 47 2/3 Single-A and High-A innings last season.

This year is just more straight-line progression for the 23-year-old who was drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Certainly an intriguing bullpen arm who may be in the major leagues sooner rather than later.

Double-A (Binghamton): Matt Rudick and Jose Peroza

Outfielder Matt Rudick has broken out in a big way at the Double-A level this season. Through 201 at-bats, he owns a slash line of .289/.435/.478 which is good for an OPS of .912. He has clubbed nine home runs and have driven in 31. This is a large improvement on a so-so year last season where he posted a .710 OPS across four levels in the Mets’ system.

Unfortunately, an injury has disrupted his season as he is currently on the injured list. When he does come back, it will be interesting to see if he can continue his development and improve on his wRC+ that leads all qualified Mets’ minor leaguers (46 total).

Like Rudick, Jose Peroza has one of the best OPS marks in the organization. Through 214 at-bats he owns a slash line of .294/.387/.519 which is good for a .905 OPS. He has hit 10 home runs to go along with 43 RBIs. His wRC+ of 139 is fifth among the 46 qualified hitters in the Mets’ minor league system.

Peroza, 23 years old, had a pretty strong season last year with High-A Brooklyn posting an above average .755 OPS. He can play anywhere in the infield and will hopefully earn a call-up to Triple-A in the near future.

High-A (Brooklyn): Tyler Stuart and Stanley Consuegra

Tyler Stuart has been one of the best starting pitchers in the organization this season. He has spent all season with High-A Brooklyn making 13 starts. Over these starts, he has thrown 69 2/3 innings allowing only 52 hits while striking out 79. He has posted a starling 1.42 ERA. His xFIP of 3.37, still a very strong number, ranks seventh in the organization among 96 pitchers who have thrown at least 10 innings.

This is Stuart’s first full, interrupted season since his last year of college. Hopefully, he can continue this strong development as the 23-year-old is still very early into his professional career.

Stanley Consuegra has been in the Mets’ organization since he was 17 years old. The now 22-year-old has a .785 OPS across 155 at-bats with Brooklyn (High-A) this season. His 108 wRC+ ranks 19th among 82 hitters in the Mets’ system who have at least 50 plate appearances.

The raw power is there, as Consuegra hit 13 home runs across three levels last season. He has yet to really explode yet, but possesses all the tools to do so.

Single-A (St. Lucie): Jacob Reimer and Wilfredo Lara

Jacob Reimer was drafted by the Mets in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He got 23 at-bats in the Florida Complex League right after he was drafted and posted an OPS of .892.

In a full season so far this year, he owns a slash line of .279/.400/.386 good for an OPS just a shade under .800 at .786. As you can see, Reimer has walked a ton so far this year with St. Lucie (Single-A) resulting in that terrific .400 OBP.

Like a few others on this list, Reimer’s season has been interrupted due to injury as he is currently on the injured list. However, it has been a great start to his professional career for the third baseman who can also play first. When his power starts to come (only a .386 SLG this season) he may emerge as a very strong prospect in the Mets’ system.

Wilfredo Lara has spent the past three seasons in the Mets’ organization and is by far turning in his best year. He currently owns a .789 OPS with nine home runs as a 19-year-old. These nine home runs rank fifth in all of the Florida State League. Further, his 113 wRC+ ranks 18th among the 82 hitters in the Mets’ system with at least 50 plate appearances.

The five-foot-10, 180 pound shortstop still has a long road to go in his development. However, his performances this year have been one of the few bright spots for a St. Lucie (Single-A) team that has struggled mightily.

Note, all statistics of July 1 before the games commenced.