The St. Lucie Mets played in their first playoff game since the 2012 season and dropped game one of the best-of three series to the Bradenton Marauders 11-6 in Port St. Lucie.

Chris Flexen got the start for the Mets but had a terrible first inning in which he allowed six runs on six hits. Flexen would settle down with three scoreless innings to follow and struck out seven in his four innings of work.

The game would remain 6-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Mets rallied for three runs to make the game close in the short term. Patrick Biondi delivered a two-run single to get St. Lucie on the board and David Thompson knocked in the third run with a double.

Mets reliever Alex Palsha imploded in the seventh inning giving up five runs turning the game into a 11-3 score and the final nail in the coffin.

Thompson doubled in in another run in the bottom of the seventh but the Mets still trailed 11-4 with only six outs left to work with.

After an extremely impressive ninth inning by St. Lucie reliever Tyler Bashlor who struck out three of the four batters he faced with a blazing fastball.

Catcher and Florida State League batting champ Tomas Nido walked with the bases loaded in the bottom half of the 9th to make it 11-5. A run scoring groundout by John Mora made it 11-6 before Luis Guillorme lined out to end the game with two runners on.

Thompson continued his strong season with a 3 for 5 night with RBI. Leadoff man Patrick Biondi had two hits and scored half of the Mets runs.

Reliever Domingo Tapia pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts for St. Lucie after a strong finish to the regular season in which he allowed only three runs in his last 16.2 innings.

Outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski left in the fifth inning for a pinch hitter after jamming his shoulder on a head first slide into second base.

St. Lucie will now have to beat Bradenton two games in a row to save their season beginning tonight on the road at 6:30 PM ET with ace P.J. Conlon on the mound.

The post Mets Minors: St. Lucie Season on Brink After Blowout Loss appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Las Vegas 51s (69-73) 11, Salt Lake Bees 2 Box Score

• Brandon Nimmo CF 2 for 5, 2 R, .354/.424/.545
• Gavin Cecchini 2B 1 for 4, 2 BB, HR, 2 R, .327/.390/.453
• T.J. Rivera 3B 4 for 6, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R, .349/.391/.511

Rivera narrowed the gap for the PCL batting title with a great night as he trails Nimmo with two games left. Cecchini played his second career game at second base and had his 16 game errorless streak snapped. He committed a throwing error while trying to turn a 6-4-3 double play.

• Darin Gorski LHP 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, 4 BB, 7 K, W (6-4, 5.90)

Erie SeaWolves (61-78) 6 vs. Binghamton Mets (62-76) 3 BOX SCORE

• Amed Rosario SS: 2 for 4, 2B, 2 K .332/.378/.473
• Victor Cruzado RF: 2 for 4, HR, 3B, 2 RBIs, 2 R .265/.357/.379
• Jayce Boyd LF: 2 for 4, RBI .258/.337/.331
• Phillip Evans 3B 1 for 3, HBP, .329/.369/.477
• Dominic Smith 1B 1 for 4, .301/.367/.455

Rosario had a multi-hit game but, did strikeout twice, he has struck out twelve times in his last six games. Cruzado hit his eight home run of the season, a two-run home run in the second. Evans is now at .329 as he chases Aneury Tavarez for the batting title who is now hitting .333 for Portland.

• Rafael Montero RHP: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, L (4-3 2.20 ERA)
• Kevin McGowan RHP: 3.2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K (3.26 ERA)
• David Roseboom LHP: IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K (1.94 ERA)

Rafael Montero was on a low pitch count because he is set to make a spot start on Tuesday for the Mets. Paul Paez allowed two runs as his struggles in Double-A continue.

St. Lucie Mets (74-60) 5 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (67-69) 3 BOX SCORE

• Tomas Nido DH: 4 for 5, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2 R .316/.353/.457
• Jonathan Johnson SS: 2 for 3, RBI, R .245/.370/.321
• John Mora RF: 2 for 4, RBI, R, K .244/.340/.345
• Jhoan Urena 1B: 2 for 4, RBI, R .228/.304/.354

Tomas Nido collected four hits and leads the FSL with his .316 batting average. Nido missed a home run for the cycle and was the St. Lucie Mets lead off hitter to get as many plate appearances as possible. Urena is hitting .371 with ten RBI over his last ten games.

• Casey Delgado RHP: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, W (8-3 3.39 ERA)
• Domingo Tapia RHP: 3 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K, (H,2 3.54 ERA)
• Kelly Secrest LHP: IP, H, 0 ER, BB, K (S,1 2.77 ERA)

Casey Delgado pitched a solid game for his 12th win this season. He has eight with St. Lucie and four with Binghamton this season.

Columbia Fireflies (66-71) 5 vs. Charleston RiverDogs (74-62) 4 F/14 BOX SCORE

• J.C. Rodriguez 2B: 2 for 5, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K .237/.302/.351
• Patrick Mazeika C: 4 for 7, 2B, R, 2 K .303/.414/.402
• Eudor Garcia 1B: 2 for 5, RBI .277/.330/.431

The Fireflies won on a walk-off error from the shortstop Hoy Jung Park on a Dash Winningham force out. J.C. Rodriguez hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fifth. Garcia is hitting .381 with 11 RBI in his last ten games.

• Chase Ingram RHP: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (4.60 ERA)
• Nicco Blank RHP: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K (5.97 ERA)
• Johnny Magliozzi RHP: 2 IP, H, 0 ER (2.70 ERA)
• Seth Davis LHP: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, K (2.31 ERA)
• Tyler Bashlor RHP: IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K, W (4-2 2.50 ERA)

The Fireflies bullpen was outstanding with nine scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. Bashlor struck out the side in the top of the 14th for the win.

Brooklyn Cyclones (37-37) 2 vs. Aberdeen IronBirds (30-43) 0 BOX SCORE

• Luis Carpio DH: 2 for 4, R, K .139/.311/.167
• Colby Woodmansee SS: 1 for 4, 2 RBIs .256/.303/.326

Woodmansee hit a two-run triple with two outs in the top of the sixth. Michael Paez was thrown out at the plate on that hit.

• Raul Jacobson RHP: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, K, W (3-2, 2.31 ERA)
• Gary Cornish RHP: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K (S,3 2.16 ERA)

Jacobson has been very solid for the Cyclones. In 12 games (four starts), Jacobson has pitched to a 0.96 WHIP. Cornish now has a tremendous 44 strike outs compared to only three walks in his first pro season.

The post Mets Minors: Nimmo, Nido Hold Batting Title Leads appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Bradenton Marauders (58-56) 10 vs. St. Lucie Mets (61-51) 7 BOX SCORE

• Patrick Biondi CF: 2 for 5, 2B, RBI, CS .266/
• David Thompson 3B: 2 for 3, 2B, RBI, R .293/.353/.407
• Luis Guillorme SS: 1 for 3, 2B, R, RBI .260/.332/.314
• Lednier Ricardo C: 2 for 4, 2B, 3 RBIs, R, .184/.236/.254

The St. Lucie Mets scored five runs in the second to open the scoring. David Thompson extended his hitting streak to seven games, over those seven games he is 11-24 (.458) with four walks.

• Chris Flexen RHP: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K (3.67 ERA)
• Domingo Tapia RHP: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, L (0-2 5.30 ERA)

Flexen and Tapia could not hold the 5-0 lead they got in the second. Combined they allowed nine runs (4 ER) in six innings. Flexen allowed five walks for the second time in his last ten starts. Tapia is having a tough time after his TJS, pitching to a 1.81 WHIP.

Columbia Fireflies (53-64) 8 vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (62-55) 0 BOX SCORE

• Enmanuel Zabala CF: 2 for 3, RBI, BB, R .297/.348/.351
• Eudor Garcia 3B: 0 for 2, R, 3 BB .242/.299/.387
• Dash Winningham 1B: 2 for 4, R, RBI, K .240/.286/.372
• Patrick Mazeika DH: 2 for 3, 2 R, RBI, BB .255/.367/.354
• Tyler Moore C: 3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBIs, R .233/.302/.312

The Fireflies scored two in the second and six in the fourth. Eudor Garcia walked three times,to increase his OBP to .299.

• Joe Shaw RHP: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, W (7-8 4.14 ERA)
• Tyler Bashlor RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K (2.47 ERA)
• Jimmy Duff RHP: IP, 0 H, 0 ER (2.51 ERA)

Joe Shaw followed his eight inning performance in his last start, with 6.2 shutout innings. In his last two starts, Shaw allowed just nine hits in 14.2 innings pitched, walking just three and striking out fourteen. Tyler Bashlor keeps running up the strikeouts, in his last two outings he has struck out nine in 3.1 innings. He has 62 strikeouts in 47.1 innings for the season.

Before the game the Fireflies announced that Spirit Communications Park will host the 2017 SAL All-Star Game.

Brooklyn Cyclones (28-25) 7 vs. Vermont Lake Monsters (19-34) 4 BOX SCORE

• Jose Reyes 3B: 0 for 1, R, 2 BB, 2 SB (Rehab Assignment)
• Nick Sergakis 2B: 0 for 0, 4 BB, 2 R, RBI, SB .252/.353/.364
• Blake Tiberi DH: 2 for 3, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 R, BB .235/.317/.286

The Cyclones collected just seven hits but walked twelve times in the victory. Reyes played five innings at third base.

• Justin Dunn RHP: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (0.50 ERA)
• Raul Jacobson RHP:  3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2.51 ERA)
• Joseph Zanghi RHP: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, fourth save (1.69 ERA)

Justin Dunn keeps pitching really well in his first pro season. Dunn has allowed just 13 hits in 18 innings pitched, while striking out 19. The six strikeouts are a new career high for Dunn who reached 97 MPH on his fastball.

Injury note: According to our own Jacob Resnick who was at the game, Peter Alonso is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken finger. Photo taken by Jacob as well. 

Yesterday we released our Mets Midseason Prospects #25-21 which you can read here.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Alonso Breaks Finger, Dunn Flashes Heat appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Vegas 51s(47-43) 3, Iowa 2 Box Score

The victory brought the 51s to 5.5 games out of first.

• Dilson Herrera 2B: 2 for 5 .276/.320/.476
• Michael Conforto RF: 0 for 3, BB, R .321/.400/.547
• Kevin Plawecki C: 1 for 3, RBI .318/.404/.581

Plawecki and Eric Campbell drove in all three runs. Conforto played in right field for the third straight game while Matt Reynolds was in left.

• Darin Gorski LHP: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, W (3-1, 3.65 ERA)
• Josh Smoker LHP: 1 IP, K, 5.51 ERA

Jim Henderson pitched a perfect ninth to get the save in his first rehab appearance for the 51s. Smoker now has 60 strikeouts this year in 40.1 innings.

Binghamton Mets (40-49) 7, Yard Goats 5 Box Score

Each one of the starting eight had a base hit as the teams combined for a total of 29 hits.The team came back as the bullpen closed the door for 3.2 innings after the Yard Goats got to starter Tyler Herron (1-1, 8.44) for all five runs.

• Champ Stuart CF: 3 for 5, HR (7th overall), 2 R
• Amed Rosario SS: 2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI .429/.471/.619
• Dom Smith 1B: 2 for 4, 3B, RBI, R .280/.344/.444

The triple was Smith’s second of the season, which doubled his career total. Rosario scoring a run gave him 42 on the season, matching his career high. Phillip Evans hit a game-winning three run homer in the seventh inning.

• Tim Peterson RHP: 1.2 IP, 4 K, W (3-0, 4.00)
• Alberto Baldonado LHP: 1 IP, 2 K
• David Roseboom LHP: 1 IP, 2 K S(4)

Roseboom has converted all four save opportunities since being named the B-Mets closer.

St Lucie Mets (45-41) 5 Dayton 2  Box Score

• Jhoan Urena DH: 1 for 3, RBI .223/.284/.336
• Tomas Nido C: 2 for 4 .314/.352/.472
• David Thompson 3B: 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, E(3) .285/..338/.449

Nido continues his torrid pace, hitting .390 over his last 10 games. Urena is hitting .284/.324/.448 since the AS break. Vinny Siena dropped to ninth in the order, was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

• Casey Delgado RHP: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 K
• Domingo Tapia RHP .2 IP, 2 K
• Alex Palsha RHP: 2 IP, H, W (1-0, 0.00)

Delgado demoted to St. Lucie, quickly proving he should be back in Binghamton. Palsha earned the victory in his A+ debut.

Delmarva 8, Columbia Fireflies (41-50) 5 Box Score

• Brandon Brosher C: 2 for 4, .224/.293/.418
• Eudor Garcia 3B: 0 for 4, .262/.326/.286
• Enmanuel Zabala CF: 1 for 3, BB, R, RBI .207/.270/.293

Brosher got his first base hits since his promotion to Low A. JC Rodriguez hit his fifth HR of the season.

• Joe Shaw RHP: 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 K
• Jimmy Duff RHP: 2.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, L (0-1, 11.57)

In his return to Low A since being demoted, Duff continues his rough season.

Update: Andres Gimenez has been selected to play in the DSL All-Star Game. 

For the full recap head over to MetsMinors.net.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Smith Triples, Conforto in Right Field Again appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

On Wednesday, Baseball America released their Top 31 Mets Prospects. Why 31? Why else, they have a man-crush on Mike Piazza, doesn’t everyone?

1. Noah Syndergaard, rhp

2. Travis d’Arnaud, c

3. Rafael Montero, rhp

4. Dominic Smith, 1b

5. Kevin Plawecki, c/1b

6. Wilmer Flores, 2b/3b

7. Amed Rosario, ss

8. Brandon Nimmo, of

9. Gavin Cecchini, ss

10. Jacob deGrom, rhp

11. Cesar Puello, of

12. Steven Matz, lhp

13. Dilson Herrera, 2b

14. Michael Fulmer, rhp

15. Gabriel Ynoa, rhp

16. Cory Mazzoni, rhp

17. Vic Black, rhp

18. Jeurys Familia, rhp

19. Domingo Tapia, rhp

20. Logan Verrett, rhp

21. Gonzalez Germen, rhp

22. Luis Mateo, rhp

23. Jack Leathersich, lhp

24. Matt Koch, rhp

25. Matt den Dekker, of

26. Dustin Lawley, of/3b

27. Robert Whalen, rhp

28. Juan Centeno, c

29. Wilfredo Tovar, ss

30. Jayce Boyd, 1b

31. Matt Reynolds, ss

No matter where you go for your top prospects fix, the first five all seem to mirror each other. As a matter of fact, without revealing too much, our MMO Top 25 had the same players in the top ten save two. We had Puello and Matz in there and Cecchini and deGrom just outside the ten best at 11 and 12.

I’m still shocked at how many are still so down on Puello and are all leaving them out of their Top 10, especially coming from three outlets who screamed loudly at the BBWAA for not voting in prominent players that never failed a drug test like Piazza, Bagwell, et al. I guess sanctimony is a two way street.

It was great to see Lawley on this list, but at 26 years old is den Dekker still considered a prospect? He struck out 23 times in 58 at-bats with the Mets before being shipped back to Las Vegas and has racked up 136 whiffs in 474 Triple-A at-bats.  

My sleepers on this list are Reynolds, Whalen and Koch. Look for all three to move to the teens by next year. Also, Chris Flexen is a huge omission here.

You compare these lists with 4-5 years ago and it’s amazing how many high ceiling prospects we now have in this organization. This group is oozing with upside.

The post Baseball America’s Top 31 Mets Prospects appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

12. Jacob deGrom

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Age: 25
Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Jacob deGrom, drafted in the 9th round of the 2010 draft out of Stetson University, is already 25 years old. That does not mean he cannot be considered a true prospect, however. He played shortstop in college so it probably took him longer than most to develop his tools as a pitcher. deGrom started only 6 games in rookie ball the year he was drafted and underwent Tommy John surgery the following season, which sort of explains why he’s a little behind.

He has an ideal build for a pitcher with a 6’4”, 185 lb. frame. Using his height to his advantage, he throws a two seam and four seam fastball in the low 90’s consistently with the ability to reach the mid 90’s at times. As his strength increases, he should be able to add a few more ticks to his velocity. His changeup, already average, has the potential to be an above average major league pitch. His slider needs some work but has a chance to be an above average pitch as well. Although his control needs much improvement, his three pitch mix should allow him to stick as a starter. Across three levels last season (A+, AA, and AAA), deGrom registered a 4.51 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 120:46 K:BB ratio in 147.2 IP.

Outlook: deGrom’s inconsistent control last season is somewhat of a head-scratcher because the season before it was 0.997 in 111.1 IP. It could have possibly been injury related, due to fatigue, or just pure regression. Who knows? Nevertheless, as he builds up strength to control his lanky body, his command should improve anyway. deGrom, like Syndergaard and Montero, will likely start the season in AAA with the chance to be called up midseason or earlier in the case of an injury. If he’s called up around the same time as Montero and Syndergaard, he’ll most likely have to prove himself in the bullpen but if he refines his control and secondary pitches in AAA, he definitely has the ability to start and should be given that chance one way or another.

25. Wilfredo Tovar, SS

24. Juan Centeno, C

23. Cory Mazzoni, RHP

22. Jeff Walters, RHP

21. Jack Leathersich, LHP

20. Luis Mateo, RHP

19. Jayce Boyd, 1B

18. Domingo Tapia, RHP

17. Gabriel Ynoa, RHP

16. Vic Black, RHP

15. Michael Fulmer, RHP

14. Jeurys Familia, RHP

13. Dilson Herrera, 2B

12. Jake deGrom, RHP

11.

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

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2.

1.

The post 2014 Mets Top Prospects: No. 12 Jacob deGrom, RHP appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

18. Domingo Tapia

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 186 lbs.
Age: 22
Bats/Throws: Right/Right

This kid’s arm strength is off the charts. Domingo Tapia consistently throws in the high 90’s with the ability to hit triple digits at times which is why he finds himself high on this list. Both his fastball and changeup have sink that help him induce a good amount of groundballs. His curveball lags behind the other two pitches but should develop into an average offering when all is said and done. Up until last season in St. Lucie, Tapia had put up good BB/9 numbers but last year was his worst with 5.09. He also put up his highest WHIP (1.48) since playing professional ball. Because he was putting so many runners on base, his ERA ballooned to 4.62. This could have been due to the burned hand incident but we won’t know that until we see him perform this season.

Hopefully his lackluster control was just an aberration and he can improve it this upcoming season where he could start in St. Lucie again or move up a rank to Binghamton. His ceiling is sky high but if he is not able to keep the walks down, he’ll have trouble reaching the majors.

Outlook: Some scouts see Tapia as a future starting pitcher. I on the other hand, think he is best suited in the bullpen because the human body is not designed to throw that hard for multiple innings on every fifth day and his two pitch mix fits better there. His shaky control and slow delivery to the plate could forcibly land him there anyway. As he fills out his large frame and adds more strength he should have an easier time taming that ferocious fastball and serving it over the dish more. Once his changeup and curveball develop a little further, he could project in a rotation but more likely as a dominant bullpen arm. It’s only a matter of time before this kid starts to shoot up prospect lists because of his true plus potential.

25. Wilfredo Tovar, SS

24. Juan Centeno, C

23. Cory Mazzoni, RHP

22. Jeff Walters, RHP

21. Jack Leathersich, LHP

20. Luis Mateo, RHP

19. Jayce Boyd, 1B

18. Domingo Tapia, RHP

17. Friday, Jan. 17

16. Saturday, Jan. 18

15. Sunday, Jan. 19

14.

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8.

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5.

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1.

The post 2014 Mets Top Prospects: No. 18 Domingo Tapia, RHP appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

We received an MMO Mailbag question from JetsMets13 asking for our top five prospects who could potentially close games in the future.

Here are my top five choices for players who could become future closers.

5. Luis Mateo

Mateo might be higher on this list had he not underwent Tommy John last season. Before he went under the knife, he had a solid fastball with a promising curve and probably the most devastating slider in the system. With already solid control and a developing changeup, he very well could end up a starter but due to his injury history, he’s probably destined for the back of the bullpen.

4. Jack Leathersich

Leathersich offers an above average fastball with movement that induces groundballs and a great number of strikeouts. Also in his repertoire are a solid curve and below average changeup. He struggles with control but with his existing strikeout rate some and some command improvements he could end up a solid closer or dominant set-up man.

3. Domingo Tapia

Tapia is just 22 years old, yet he throws triple digits fairly consistently. He also does it with acceptable control. If his solid average sinking changeup and slow curve develop a little further he could end up a promising starting pitcher prospect. However, the human body is not designed to throw that hard for multiple innings on every fifth day. To preserve his health, he’s probably better suited as a future closer.

2. Vic Black

Vic Black might not have the same quality stuff as Tapia or Mateo but he will start the season with the big club so he is the closest out of all of these names to get a shot at the closer job. In fact, he had an opportunity last season with Parnell out and impressed. He throws a borderline plus fastball with an average hard slider. In both the minors and majors, Black has struggled with control a bit. However, he is most likely next in line to get a shot to close if Parnell falters this upcoming season which is why he is so high on this list. If Parnell is as good this season as he was last, then Black will most likely be the set-up man and backup closer.

1. Jeurys Familia

Familia throws in the mid 90’s and can dial it up when he needs to. His fastball also has some nice sink and lateral movement on it, which is absolutely lethal considering he still throws that hard. He currently offers an above average slider and average changeup as well. He has struggled with control in the past but his K:BB ratio has looked good so far in winter ball. If and when Familia learns how to command his pitches, he is the closest thing the Mets have to a future elite closer.

The post Who Are The Mets’ Top 5 Closer Prospects? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The analysts over at Fangraphs compiled their 2014 Top 10 Prospects in the Mets farm system. They took a good look at each player listed and included an in-depth individual assessment of their choices.

They ranked the prospects in order:

#10 — Wilmer Flores (3B)

#9 — Gavin Cecchini (SS)

#8 — Steven Matz (P)

#7 — Jacob deGrom (P)

#6 — Kevin Plawecki (C)

#5 — Rafael Montero (P)

#4 — Amed Rosario (SS)

#3 — Dominic Smith (1B)

#2 — Travis d’Arnaud (C)

#1 — Noah Syndergaard (SP)

It was interesting to see Dominic Smith placed so far up in the order after only his first season as a professional. The young first baseman is only 18-years-old, and Fangraphs was extremely impressed with the mentality and abilities he displayed this season. Smith spent most of his time this season with the GCL Mets hitting .287/.384/.407, before being moved to Kingsport for three games. However, Fangraphs believes this is only the beginning of his rapid ascent.

The Scouting Report: Smith was even more advanced at the plate than expected. He should hit for average and power while also getting on-base at a healthy clip. His power is generated by quick bat speed and he doesn’t have to pull the ball to hit it out of the park. Like many young hitters, he has work to do against same-handed pitchers. At first base, he could develop into on of the best fielder in the game at his position thanks to his athleticism around the bag and soft hands.

The Year Ahead: Smith is advanced and mature enough to handle a jump to full-season ball in his first full pro season. He could move fairly quickly for such a young player and could reach the Majors in late 2016.

The Career Outlook: Smith has a chance to be an impact player both as a middle-of-the-order hitter and as a defensive whiz at first base.

Fangraphs also included a short briefing on the five players who just missed the list. These names included Dilson Herrera, Michael Fulmer, Domingo Tapia, Brandon Nimmo and Vic Black.

Over at MetsMinors, we have compiled our own prospect ranking. You can find our list of the top 25 prospects here.

(Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The post First Rounder Dominic Smith More Advanced Than Expected appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

1. Zack Wheeler, RHP

Status: Hot

The MMN top prospect heading into 2013 enjoyed his most dominant start of his young MLB career on July 10th against the San Francisco Giants. He was in control for most of the game, throwing plenty of first pitch strikes, using his fastball wisely, and keeping his pitch count down.Wheeler went a career-high seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. In five big league starts, he’s 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA. He’s been enjoying the All-Star break, and will commence his season today at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Matt M.)

2. Travis d’Arnaud, C

Status: Injured

d’Arnaud is still rehabbing in Port St. Lucie, and according to manager Terry Collins last week, the top catching prospect is doing everything except playing in games. He’s throwing, hitting some batting practice, and catching bullpens. He’s due to be evaluated by doctors on Monday, hopefully getting the news that he’s cleared to start playing in minor league games again. In 36 at-bats with Las Vegas before getting injured, d’Arnaud was hitting .250/.429/.472 with one home run and eight RBIs this season. (Matt M.)

3. Noah Syndergaard, RHP

Status: Neutral

Well, it was bound to happen. In his first start back with Binghamton following his appearance in the MLB Futures Game over the weekend, Syndergaard struggled with his control a little bit. After walking just four hitters in his first 20 innings pitched in the Eastern League, Noah walked three Flying Squirrels in five innings pitched Wednesday at NYSEG Stadium. He earned the no decision and remains undefeated since getting promoted, but allowed three runs and seven hits (two homers), along with five strikeouts. (Matt M.)

4. Rafael Montero, RHP

Status: Neutral

With the Triple-A AS break timed with the MLB one, Montero hasn’t had a chance to pitch against this week. He did, however, toss a scoreless inning in the Futures Game and did so effortlessly. I’m really not fond of Montero pitching in the PCL or in Las Vegas itself, but I’ll have to deal with it because there is no need to add him to the 40-man roster yet and the Mets want to prevent his clock from starting.

5. Wilmer Flores, INF

Status: Injured/Neutral

Similar to Montero, Wilmer Flores hasn’t had much time on the field again this week because of the Triple-A AS break. Flores was slated to the start the game at second base, but had to pass on the chance to let an ankle injury heal up. The injury is considered minor, so Flores should return to raking soon. He went into the break leading the PCL with 75 RBIs.

6. Brandon Nimmo, OF

Status: Cold

Oh, how bad I want to say something positive about Nimmo — I couldn’t explain in words. I’m waiting for the form we saw earlier in the season; I’m waiting to see him tear it up again. But ever since he returned from injury, he’s been a different player. Even with a two-hit game Thursday night, he still has only six hits in his last 32 at-bats, giving him a .188 average over that span. He still has only one home run on the year as well, which is tough. It’s beginning to look like Joe D. was right back in January when he said there’s no way Nimmo doesn’t stay in Savanna for the entire season.

7. Domingo Tapia, RHP

Status: Cold

Just when I thought Tapia had turned a corner with regard to harnessing his control of the strike zone, he makes a fool out of me. He put together a decent performance on July 9th. Despite getting the loss, he only walked one and struck out seven over 6.2 innings pitched. His next appearance came on July 15th, and he reverted back to the Tapia we’ve mostly seen in 2013. He allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, four walks, and one strikeout in 1.2 innings pitched. It was the sixth time he’s walked three or more hitters in his last 10 starts.

8. Michael Fulmer, RHP

Status: Warming up

The weather has prevented the St. Lucie rotation from getting into any kind of rhythm. Fulmer made his second start in High-A on July 14th, but it was obviously cut short because of the rain. He allowed one run on one hit (a homer), one walk, and one strikeout in three innings pitched against Dunedin. He’s tossed eight innings since completing his rehab in the GCL, and owns a 4.50 ERA heading into his next start.

9. Gavin Cecchini, SS

Status: Injured

He’s still working his way back from the ankle injury that sidelined him earlier this month. He did get the walking boot removed off his foot yesterday, though.

10. Jack Leathersich, LHP

Status: Neutral

Leathersich has been on shaky ground recently. The strikeouts are there in abundance, as always, but six earned runs in his last eight-and-two-thirds innings is pretty bad for a reliever. As I tried to note earlier this week, the PCL and Las Vegas pose perhaps the worst possible environment for the young fireballer, so don’t get too down on him.

(Remember. the next Top 10 Tracker will  reflect our updated Midseason Top-25 Prospects as we continue to roll that out on MetsMinors.net and them Metsmerized Online, so keep an eye out for that!)

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