The Mets are finally starting to see the results of their improved minor league system. Former prospects – turned major leaguers – like Jacob deGrom, Travis d’Arnaud and Jeurys Familia are here to stay and have all made significant impacts in 2014. These performances are getting many fans excited for the future of the team rightfully so, and the Mets could possibly see even more exciting rookie performances next season.
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York recently profiled ten players who could potentially debut in 2015. Naturally, he lists top prospects such as Noah Syndergaard and Kevin Plawecki, but he also includes several lesser known players like Cory Mazzoni, Matthew Bowman and Logan Verrett. The biggest surprise for me is that he also believes Brandon Nimmo could debut next season.
Cory Mazzoni, RHP – Mazzoni’s season did not start up until late June because of a strained right lat suffered in the final spring-= training game in Port St. Lucie. Although he has been a starter throughout his minor league career, the Mets already were speaking last offseason about using the NC State product in the bullpen in the majors.
Matt Bowman, RHP – Vegas manager Wally Backman said Bowman is not a sleeper to him and definitely should be a major leaguer. Bowman, a Princeton product with a Tim Lincecum-style delivery, went 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA with Binghamton and Vegas this season. The primary thing that may hold Bowman back is the organization’s depth of young, upper-level starting pitching.
Logan Verrett, RHP – Expected to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason, the former third-round pick out of Baylor went 11-5 with a 4.33 ERA in 28 starts for Vegas.
Brandon Nimmo, OF – Nimmo would appear on track for at least a September call-up considering the Mets are light on upper-level outfield prospects, and he will need to be added to the 40-man roster during the 2015-16 offseason anyway. Looking considerably stronger after spending last winter at the IMG Academy bulking up, the 21-year-old Nimmo hit a combined .278 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 14 steals and a .394 on-base percentage in 558 plate appearances between St. Lucie and Binghamton.
Expecting Nimmo to play in the majors in 2015 is probably a little too aggressive. Nimmo struggled after being called up to AA-Binghamton, hitting just .238 with six home runs. This production doesn’t hurt Nimmo’s stock as a top prospect, but it does show he still needs more time in the minor leagues and he’s still very young.
While Mazzoni, Bowman and Verrett do not project to be stars, they could each become solid contributors very soon. Bowman is probably the best of the group as he has succeeded at every level of the minors. He has a career 22-14 record and 3.06 ERA over 45 starts.
Mazzoni and Verrett are similar pitchers and they project to be either back of the rotation starters or relievers. However they each have different styles. Mazzoni throws harder and has more overpowering stuff, while Verrett relies mostly on his command and deception.
It is unrealistic to think that any of these prospect could match what the Mets rookie class accomplished this year. However, there is a strong chance that at least one of them makes a significant impact. The Mets farm is stocked with talent, and many of them are almost major league ready. There’s always those unpredictable, under-the radar prospects in addition to the top guys in the system. It’s an exciting time for the organization where the kids are concerned.
