Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
With over a month into the season and with players like Pete Alonso graduating from prospect status, MLB Pipeline has updated their Top 100 prospect rankings. Even with Alonso being removed from the top 100, the Mets still have two prospects ranked on the top 100.
The reason why the Mets still have two top 100 prospects is because shortstop Ronny Mauricio is now the 92nd ranked prospect. The 19 year old is 3.5 years younger than the average South Atlantic League player, and he has performed. With him it is more than his performance. It is his tools which MLB Pipeline believes will make him an “impact player on both sides of the ball.” Specifically, MLB Pipeline says:
He’s impressed evaluators with his combination of bat speed and raw power from a swing that works really well and should allow him to hit for both average and power. Mauricio’s raw pop is already showing, and he’s only going to add strength and tap into it more as he matures. His outstanding defensive actions, soft hands and plus arm strength will give him a chance to stick at shortstop, where he stands to offer the most value with his bat.
Ahead of Mauricio on the list is Andres Gimenez, who moved up four spots to 54. One of the reasons why he has moved up the list is his power. As noted by MLB Pipeline, “He may never win a home run derby, but the 2018 Futures Gamer showed more extra-base thump in ’18, with a bit more to come.”
It should be noted that if the Mets did not go through with the trade for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, the team would have had four top 100 prospects. Not only did Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn remain on the list, they were risers. Kelenic rose seven spots and is now the 42nd ranked prospect. Dunn rose even higher going from 91 to 76.
Overall, the Mets have shown their farm system has been acquiring and developing talented players who could and have an impact at the Major League level. What is exciting to think is Mauricio may be just the first to crack this list. By the time of the midseason update, we could see prospects like Anthony Kay and Mark Vientos joining Gimenez and Mauricio on MLB Pipeline’s and other top 100 rankings.
