Stanley Consuegra, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO
No. 40 Stanley Consuegra, OF
Age: 21 (9/24/2000)
HT: 6’2, WT: 167
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent in 2017
ETA: 2025 Previous MMO Ranking: N/A
2021 Stats (FCL Mets): 20 G, .270/.325/.500, 9 2B, 2 HR, 111 wRC+
After making his debut with a .650 OPS over 64 games during the 2018 season with the DSL and GCL Mets, Consuegra didn’t get a chance to play competitive baseball for two straight years. A torn ACL knocked him out for 2019 and then the pandemic hit in 2020. Despite the time off and such limited pro experience, the 21-year-old had a 111 wRC+ this past season with the Florida Coast League Mets.
The tall and lanky outfielder has started to put on a bit more muscle, though there’s still plenty of room for more growth there as well. Throughout Consuegra’s time with the Mets he’s been known as a guy that puts up above average exit velocity numbers. He’s been up to 112 mph exit velo already this spring, and has been one of the early standouts in camp according to Mets officials.
The untapped raw power starting showing up a bit in 2021 when he posted a .230 isolated slugging, tied with Carlos Cortes and Travis Blankenhorn for eighth in the Mets system. Consuegra struck out 24.7% of the time in 2021, certainly not a bad number for a power hitter, but he walked only 4.8% of the time.
Defensively, the former shortstop played mostly center in 2021, but he certainly has enough arm to be a good fit in right field if he continues to add to his frame. However, slightly above average speed and good reactions in the outfield could leave him in center field.
At this point for Consuegra, it’s all about staying healthy and seeing if he can put together a full season this year, likely with the Low-A St. Lucie Mets.
Kevin Kendall, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO
No. 39 Kevin Kendall, SS
Age: 22 (6/25/1999)
HT: 5’10, WT: 175
B/T: L/R
Acquired: 7th Rd in 2021 Draft – UCLA
ETA: 2024 Previous MMO Ranking: N/A
2021 Stats (St. Lucie Mets): 31 G, .327/.421/.451, 7 2B, HR, 8 SB, 143 wRC+
After struggling offensively in his first two seasons at UCLA, Kendall had an impressive .356/.413/.498 batting line in his final season before getting drafted by the Mets in the seventh round last year. Kendall also played a ton of different positions at UCLA including shortstop, second base, third base, left field and center field. In his first 30 pro games, he played 26 games at shortstop and four games at second base.
Kendall has quick hands, good bat speed and has shown power to the pull side. Better plate discipline over the last year helped him cut down on his strikeouts significantly. The overall power to this point has been below average despite some loft to his swing.
Kendall’s carrying skill is his speed, which Baseball America notes is nearly plus-plus. He stole 32 bases in 145 games at UCLA and swiped eight in his first 31 pro games. His speed and athleticism has also helped him be a plus defender at shortstop and center field despite multiple injuries resulting in below average arm strength.
The versatility, speed and ability to get on base will certainly make Kendall an interesting prospect to watch moving forward. I would expect him to start the 2022 season in High-A Brooklyn.
No. 38 Keyshawn Askew, LHP
Age: 22 (1/5/2000)
HT: 6’4, WT: 190
B/T: L/L
Acquired: 10th Rd in 2021 Draft – Clemson
ETA: 2024 Previous MMO Ranking: N/A
2021 Stats (FCL Mets): 9 IP, 1.00 ERA, 3 H, 4 BB, 14 K
Keyshawn Askew was knocked around a bit in his final season at Clemson as shown by his 5.84 ERA and 68 hits allowed in only 57 innings. Despite the performance, the Mets were hoping they could unlock something from the young left-hander, and in the short-term they certainly have. When drafted, Askew was throwing his fastball mostly in the upper 80’s while topping out around 92 or 93 mph.
Well, in his short time with the Mets, I was told that Askew was sitting in the low 90’s and reached up to 96 mph while pitching in the Complex League. The funky lefty is still delivering a high spin breaking ball in the high 70’s that gets significant horizontal break.
Poetry in motion. 🖌 👀@keyshawn_askew pic.twitter.com/XVg3Jgc0Bq
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) May 4, 2021
As you can see from the video above, Askew is a long, lanky left-hander who throws from a low arm angle making him very tough on left-handed hitters. Askew also hides the ball well in a delivery that shows the ball late and slings his arm across the body.
Despite the high ERA in college, Askew still managed to strike out 10.9 per nine innings and walk only 1.7 batters per nine innings. The Mets are confident moving forward that Askew will continue to show good control and plan to use him as a starter at least in the short term. I would expect Askew to start the 2022 season with the St. Lucie Mets.
Joander Suarez, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO
No. 37 Joander Suarez, RHP
Age: 21 (2/27/2000)
HT: 6’3, WT: 223
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent during 2017 period
ETA: 2025 Previous MMO Ranking: 24
2021 Stats (St. Lucie Mets): 6 GS, 24.2 IP, 7.66 ERA, 5.34 FIP, 5.84 BB/9, 9.49 K/9
The 2021 season was a rough one for young right-hander Joander Suarez as he struggled with the St. Lucie Mets to the tune of a 7.66 ERA and then needed season-ending Tommy John surgery in June. The injury means that the soon-to-be 22-year-old will likely miss most of the upcoming season as well.
Suarez has the big, sturdy frame that you love to see for a starting pitching prospect. He throws his fastball mostly in the 91-94 range and was up to 96 mph during the 2021 season.
The right-hander has two intriguing offspeed pitches in his big vertical breaking curveball and a changeup that gets above average horizontal movement. He threw a couple of breaking balls this season with more than 65 inches of vertical break. For reference, Adam Wainwright averaged 66.5 inches of vertical break on his curve this past season. He throws the curve in the mid-70’s and that was generally used as the third pitch in his arsenal.
Suarez seems to have more confidence in his changeup, evident by having one start in 2021 where he threw it more than his four-seam fastball. He throws a hard change in the 86-88 mph range. He threw multiple changeups this season with 18-to-19 inches of horizontal movement. That type of movement is in the same category as Mets reliever Miguel Castro.
Consistency with all of his three pitches has been an issue as he has trouble commanding all of them.
No. 36 Jordany Ventura, RHP
Age: 21 (7/6/2000)
HT: 6’0, WT: 162
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent in 2018
ETA: 2025 Previous MMO Ranking: 29
2019 Stats (Rookie): 52.1 IP, 3.78 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 3.27 BB/9, 9.29 K/9
Unfortunately, Jordany Ventura needed Tommy John surgery during the Spring of 2021, so he hasn’t pitched since 2019. He was one of the players who reported to Port St. Lucie early this year to begin the rehab process.
Ventura has an effortless delivery that’s easily repeatable that allows him to command his pitches well for such a young pitcher. He’s a good athlete on the mound who will still likely add muscle to his frame.
Ventura’s fastball is an exciting one that sits low 90’s and has touched 95 mph. The fastball has natural cut to it and has been by far the favorite pitch of Ventura to throw. His secondaries include a breaking ball that has flashed plus with late break and a changeup that has shown good tumble at times.
The 21-year-old has shown the ability to miss barrels and command multiple pitches at a very young age, but he’s now lost two years of development and will likely miss most the 2022 season as well.
