Highly regarded minor league analyst John Sickels recently released his end of year profile of the Top 75 Prospects in the minor leagues, his third and final prospect list of the 2013 season. John runs the blog Minor League Ball and writes his own yearly prospect book. He is extremely knowledgeable, and I recommend everyone check out his work. He really knows his stuff.
Noah Syndergaard is the highest ranked Met prospect on the list. Sickels ranks the right handed pitcher 11th overall adding that he is “one of my personal favorites”. Ranking eleventh overall is a truly an achievement. Noah Syndergaard is a real beast and everyone is beginning to know it. I can’t wait to see him in the big leagues.
Also featured on the list was highly touted prospect Travis d’Arnaud who ranked 24 overall. Like many analysts, Sickels says d’Arnaud “just needs to play”, something that is pretty much undeniable. The 24 year old still has some doubters, after being set back by numerous injuries and opening his major league career to a relatively slow start, yet his upside is enormous and he still hasn’t really seen enough major league playing time to make any sort of judgement.
Rafael Montero also appeared on the list, appearing 50 overall. After a fiery-hot finish in Triple-A, the right handed pitcher deserves this recognition fully. He is one of the best prospects in the Mets organization and is expected to make his major league start sometime in 2014.
Also mentioned were Wilmer Flores, Steven Matz, Kevin Plawecki and Cesar Puello as honorable mentions.
Overall, I think the Mets are represented well. With three players featured in the top 75 and four players getting additional recognition, I think the list does a good job recognizing some of the promise and ability seen all throughout the Mets system.
(Photo Credit: Gordon Donovan)
