St. Lucie has an interesting team this year. Honestly I was blown away by Amed Rosario, Jhoan Urena, and Marcos Molina three guys I had pegged for Savannah being named to the St. Lucie Roster, they’re now getting aggressive, not sure how I feel about it.
This team looks to be a stacked team going forward with two first round picks in Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith, The Mets highest amateur International Free Agent bonus baby in Amed Rosario, an up-and coming pitching star in Marcos Molina, and a bullpen ace in Akeel Morris all being on the same team.
In addition, the starting Rotation looks pretty awesome, and there are many diamonds in the rough to look at as well from this group. This is likely the most stacked and interesting team of all the affiliates and I bet they’d give Vegas a run for their money. Some reports will be longer than others, because I don’t have enough information on all of them. Anyway, I’m going to go through the roster and review the guys playing for the 2015 St. Lucie Mets starting April 9th.
Starting Pitchers
Kevin McGowan – Tall college righthander, 88-92, touches 95. Doesn’t K much, and needs a bit of work on control, but he’s definitely someone to watch.
Robert Whalen – Rob is the kind of kid you definitely want to root for. He works very hard, pitches very well, and was a born and raised die-hard Mets Fan. Rob is armed with a fastball that runs up to 94, and a sinker that goes up to 91. He also has a plus curve, and good change to go along with that, as well as some good command. He induces a lot of ground ball outs. Last year, his season was cut to 11 games with a bad hand injury, but he kept on dominating, and came out with a 2.01 ERA. He got some reps in the Arizona Fall League, and didn’t do too well, but he needed the reps against better competition. He also needs to miss a few more bats.
Miller Diaz – When I watched Diaz in Brooklyn, he impressed me. A big kid with a strong build, he is armed with a fastball that sits from 92-94, and an above-average slider to work in. He missed a lot of time in the middle of the year and was only limited to 13 games, but pitched pretty dominantly in Savannah. Keep an eye on his progress in general.
Robert Gsellman – A high school pitcher with a fastball that lives in the 88-92 range, bumps at times 95. He has thrived so far, but needs to develop curve. Has a good changeup.
Marcos Molina – Predicted by now-Cubs Scout Jason Parks, Molina was relatively unknown. Molina throws in the mid-90’s, with great accuracy. Paired with that is a slider that could one day flash plus, and a changeup with a possible similar trajectory. Molina carved through the New York-Penn League last year with ease, with a 1.77 era. One of the biggest concerns, however, to some, is his delivery. He does not use his bottom half much, causing strain on the elbow. This can cause fear of possible injury sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on him to continue his success against guys who were a level above the one he was dominating. Also anything about his mechanics changing, velocity might climb a tick with age as well, and breakers will get sharper.
Bullpen
Akeel Morris – Pitches from 92-94 and shut the South Atlantic League down as a closer. Has a below-average slider, but a plus changeup, and below-average control Moving out of pitcher’s heaven will definitely pose a challenge
Beck Wheeler – Throws in the low 90’s, steadily moving up the ladder
Ricky Knapp – Faltered as a starter in the Sally, but is a college righty who throws many different types of pitches.
Robert Coles – 2013 draft pick, throws in the low 90’s with a good slider
Kelly Secrest – Senior Sign lefthander who throws 90-94 with iffy breakers. Could move quickly.
Kyle Regnault – You can read about him here: https://metsmerizedonline.com/2015/03/lhp-kyle-regnault-trying-to-impress-in-camp.html/
Julian Hilario – Was a starter in the past but moved to relief and faltered at this same level last year. 90-92 touching 94, with an ok slider but stiff change.
Logan Taylor – 2012 11th rounder who has done well starting but is possibly piggybacking this year. Throws 90-94, touches 95. Throws 3 additional breakers including cutter, curve and change.
Mike Hepple – 2014 post-draft free agent, has been a career reliever, who tops out in the low-90’s.
Jake Kuebler – A converted 1B who missed last year with Tommy John, the RHP went to the Arizona Fall League and pitched 5.1 scoreless. Throws in the low 90’s with an ok slider.
Catchers
Jeff Glenn – Drafted with promising potential, has turned into minor league depth
Colton Plaia – 2013 Senior Sign, hit .261/.332/.360 as backup in Savannah last year.
Adrian Abreu – Hasn’t done much since hitting .295 in the DSL in 2012.
Infielders
Phillip Evans – Signed for above slot bonus in 2011,Evans hasn’t lived up to the money, and is likely moving to 2nd base after playing shortstop for his first 3 years in the Mets Org. He doesn’t have any standout tools, but he plays hard and works hard. Is Injured to start the year.
Dominic Smith – 11th overall in the 2013 draft, Smith had a pretty bad year last year when it came to expected production. As a first baseman, you’re supposed to hit for power. He didn’t, and instead had a lower Slugging percentage than his on-base percentage at a .338 slugging vs .344 on base. Probably one two of the biggest reasons of why he didn’t hit for power were because he was out of shape, from what had been reported, and because Savannah’s Historic Grayson Field is one of the oldest and the worst park for hitters in the Minor leagues. He worked out in Barwis’ program over the winter and has reported in a lot more fit than last year. He’s 19 years old this time around, has a good swing that he modeled after Robinson Cano, and still has time to figure it out, but I don’t believe he will ever be a .500+ slugger. He will, however hit for a good average, have moderate power, and give great defense. His top priority is him hitting for more power. I wouldn’t expect home runs, but doubles will be a good sign…
Matt Oberste – A 7th rounder from 2013, is a 3b/1b with right-handed power, could probably spell Smith and Urena.
Jeff McNeil – An underrated infielder drafted in 2013 out of college. Very interesting, probably going to be playing at 2nd base and then backing up Amed when Phil Evans comes back.
Yeixon Ruiz – Definitely the Utility guy at St. Lucie, can play the middle infield.
Amed Rosario – The highest Mets international bonus ever for an amateur IFA, Rosario is definitely the top shortstop prospect in the Mets System. Amed is right now all projection, with incredibly quick bat speed, he has a lot of raw power that hasn’t shown up in-game yet, enough to possibly generate high-teens to early 20’s in home runs, to pair with an average around .280. His defense is above average and he has a strong arm and above average speed. Definitely a kid to keep an eye on, and I’ll probably shove his progress down your throat anyway. This placement yesterday caught me by surprise, because I had him ticketed for Savannah. To put it plainly, you’re looking for him to succeed, and hit for more power than he did last year. Hey Gavin, he’s gaining on you…
Jhoan Urena – 20 years old, an underrated 3rd Baseman. He has the athleticism to stick at 3rd base, a plus arm, and has great durability, playing every game of the New York-Penn League. This kid switch hits, and has a smooth stroke from both sides of the dish. Also has some serious pop and could possibly hit 18+ home runs in the future. I had him ticketed for Savannah, but he could fit in at St. Lucie after hitting for average and power at Brooklyn, but this will be a hefty challenge for him. I see him as a possible adequate heir to David Wright in a few years.
Outfield
Victor Cruzado – An under-the-radar switch hitter who has performed well. He has a line-drive swing, and plays plus defense.
Michael Conforto – Mets first pick in 2014, Conforto was the most advanced bat in the draft. After sitting and relaxing initially, the left-handed hitting Conforto cut through the New York-Pen League like a hot knife through butter. The hitter has a Sandy-friendly approach, and the ability to hit possibly 20 home runs or more. As well, he has been a pleasant surprise in the outfield, with good jumps, and has flashed an above-average arm. Mets are considering him to play right field while he’s in the Minors. He could possibly chew this league and spit it out as well. We’ll see, I have him pegged for Binghamton by the end of May.
Champ Stuart – Top of the scale (a straight 80 on the 20-80 scale) speed , whose bat is questionable. If he does connect, there is a bit of pop there, and he will be a serious base-stealing threat.
Maikis de La Cruz – An above average defender who has a bit of speed and can play all 3 positions. Will likely backup or spell any for days off days.
