Jonathan Mayo ranked the top ten right-handed pitching prospects and the Mets, not surprisingly, had Zack Wheeler check in at No. 4 and Noah Syndergaard at No. 10.
Of the pitchers on the 2012 list of the Top 10 right-handed pitchers, six pitched in the big leagues. One finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting. This year’s Top 10 right-handed pitchers list has seven repeat performers, with a trio of newcomers. Eight of them are former first-round picks, with the other two having been selected in the supplemental first round of the same Draft.
1. Dylan Bundy, Orioles
2. Taijuan Walker, Mariners
3. Jose Fernandez, Marlins
4. Zack Wheeler, Mets: After being picked sixth overall by the Giants in 2009 and signing for $3.3 million, Wheeler was traded to the Mets for Carlos Beltran in ‘11. Wheeler split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, pitching well at both levels while generating a lot of strikeouts. Wheeler’s fastball and curveball are both considered plus, and he complements them with a slider and changeup. Wheeler has made the trade with the Giants look like a coup for the Mets, as he has all the tools to become a frontline starter.
5. Gerrit Cole, Pirates
6. Jameson Taillon, Pirates
7. Trevor Bauer, Indians
8. Archie Bradley, D-backs
9. Shelby Miller, Cardinals
10. Noah Syndergaard, Mets: Syndergaard was taken in the sandwich round in 2010 by the Blue Jays out of the Texas high school ranks. His full-season debut in 2012 was a big success, and he was named to the Midwest League All-Star team. Syndergaard was sent to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade and could end up being the best player in the deal, though it may take more time for him to develop. The big right-hander has a ton of arm strength to go along with three pitches that could be at above-average when all is said and done.
Read the rest of the player capsules here.
