The New York Mets have announced their 2019 Minor League Awards. They represent some of the best players in the Mets farm system, and much to look forward to in the next couple years.
Hitter of the Year: Mark Vientos (3B)
19-year-old infielder Mark Vientos earned his Hitter of the Year honors by slashing .255/.300/.411 with a 105 wRC+ in 111 games for Single-A Columbia. He knocked 27 doubles and 12 home runs, driving in 62. Considering he is 2.5 years younger than the average position player in Single-A, and that league is notoriously difficult for hitters, these numbers are impressive as he continues the success he enjoyed in short-season rookie ball in 2018. Last year in 60 games, he slashed .287/.389/.489 with 11 home runs and 12 doubles.
Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Smith (LHP)
Left-handed starter Kevin Smith split time between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton in 2019 and excelled in both leagues. The 22-year-old was 5-5 with a 3.15 ERA across 17 starts in St. Lucie, striking out 102 batters in 85 2/3 innings (10.7 K/9). He earned a promotion to Double-A where he went 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in six starts, striking out 28 batters in 31 1/3 innings. Overall in 23 starts, he went 8-7 with a 3.15 ERA, 10.0 K/9, and 1.256 WHIP across 117 innings.
Best Defender – Andres Gimenez (SS)
As Amed Rosario starts to cement himself as the Mets shortstop, Andres Gimenez continues to cement his name on top prospect lists. Spending his whole season in Double-A Binghamton, Gimenez slashed .250/.309/.387 with a career-high nine home runs and a 105 wRC+. More importantly, though, he showed off his superb defense that’s only getting better, registering a .973 FLD% (11 errors in 413 chances).
Best Baserunner – Sam Haggerty (U)
The 25-year-old speedster not only played well enough to earn this award, but well enough to earn a late-season call-up to the Bigs. Haggerty played for Low-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton, and Triple-A Syracuse this season and excelled for all three teams. In 86 games, he slashed .271/.376/.387 with 23 stolen bases. After swiping 49 bags in 112 games in 2017, his 26 steals in 94 games in 2018 and 23 steals this season continue to garner attention as a baserunner.
DSL Hitter of the Year – Freddy Valdez (OF)
Slashing .274/.367/.448 in 60 games, the 17-year-old made a great first impression in his first season playing in the Mets system. The outfielder knocked 16 doubles, three triples, and six home runs, also swiping six bags.
DSL Pitcher of the Year – Ronny Rincones (RHP)
Appearing in 13 games, 11 of which he started, the 17-year-old Rincones had a great season, sporting a 2.44 ERA and 1.277 WHIP, striking out 53 batters in 51 2/3 innings. He also registered one save.
Coach Of Year – David Davalillo
Davalillo, 44, Managed the Gulf Coast League Mets to a 30-24 record in 2019.
