Thanks dude, I appreciate it. I like to write; I've always had a knack for it and being able to write about baseball is awesome.
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The future is going to be a big part of this franchise. I would be lying through my teeth if I told you that we were in win now mode... that's just not going to fly. This thing needs to be overhauled big time, not many of the players on the current roster have any sort of value... even when looking at the numbers. We could try to rush a winner into action but by looking at the current farm system, most, if not all of the current impact talent is major league ready. Wheeler... d'Arnaud... Familia... it's all towards the top. We've got a few gems down lower in the system like Nimmo, Syndergaard, Cecchini and Smith. That may look like a lot, but 6 or 7 players doesn't win a championship. It takes 25 players and right now, the system is loaded with impact talent... then there's 50 feet of crap and then, there's maybe a few gems. We might be inclined to Huston Astros this thing if we don't show promise this season. We need more talent to fuel this franchise and turn it around. In other words, we need to completely overhaul the way this organization is run from top to bottom.
We might as well shift on over to the top 20 prospects because that's what you all are reading this post for right?
1. Zack Wheeler- RHP
The key figure of the Carlos Beltran trade, Wheeler has shown plenty of promise in his short time with the Mets. Wheeler has electric front of the rotation type stuff and some tweaks to cleanup his delivery have improved his control to give him legit #1 starter potential. Wheeler will get a long look in Spring Training but with this type of talent, and given the current financial situation, the New York Mets will not rush him.
2. Noah Syndergaard- RHP
One of the key pieces of the R.A. Dickey trade, Syndergaard has the build and stuff of a future #1 starter. With just two pro seasons under his belt, he still has a long way to go before he can crack the Mets' rotation. At this stage in his development, Syndergaard needs to develop a plus breaking pitch to solidify his status as a front of the rotation arm.
3. Travis d'Arnaud-C
With d'Arnaud, its never been a question of talent or potential but rather can he stay healthy enough to be an impact player. Another key prospect from the R.A. Dickey trade, d'Arnaud is widely viewed as the top catching prospect in all of baseball. He has a power bat and good contact skills to match plus defensive skills. The fact that d'Arnaud brings plus tools to both sides of the ball makes him a legit impact prospect at the catcher position.
4. Brandon Nimmo-OF
Nimmo was drafted as a very, very raw high school outfielder with great tools across the board. As a 20 year old, he's still raw but the gears are starting to turn in his development. With a plus bat and average fielding skills, it's likely that Nimmo ends up moving to a corner outfield spot. At this stage, there is no reason to rush him to the big leagues so the Mets will take it slow with this talent.
5. Gavin Cecchini-SS
Cecchini is everything you look for in a big league shortstop. He has a plus hit tool, weak power and plus defensive tools. Right now, Cecchini is a good shortstop prospect. If he can develop more power then he could be a great one. At just 19 years old, he's still very raw but it already looks like the Mets have their leadoff man of the future.
6. Domonic Smith-1B/OF
Smith doesn't really have a natural position at this point. However, his bat more than makes up for that. Given Ike Davis' recent struggles he could end up at 1st base. Or since the Mets aren't particularly deep in the outfield he could end up manning a corner position there. Regardless though, Smith has the potential to hit for average and power making him a potential middle of the order threat.
7. Jeurys Familia-RHP
To be honest, Familia has better raw stuff than Syndergaard and Wheeler. However, his lack of control is what has him so low on the list. Right now, Familia needs to touch up his command but could find himself in a bullpen role. He's going to get a long look in Spring Training but his arm might be too special to leave off the roster this time.
8. Wilmer Flores-3B
One of baseball's top 3rd base prospects will probably have to make a move to another position for obvious reasons. Flores' bat is just too special to just leave to toil in the minors. He doesn't run very well but his arm is graded out as a plus. He's still young so at this point, he's bound to spend some time in AAA to learn to play a corner outfield spot.
9. Rafael Montero-RHP
Yet another one of the Mets' high ceiling arms, Montero is a different breed however. He has a plus fastball with average secondary pitches. His advanced command separates him from the other prospects at this point with just average secondary pitches. However, Montero still projects as a middle of the rotation arm.
10. Michael Fulmer-RHP
It should be no shocker that another arm rounds out the top 10. He's another one of those pitchability guys with great stuff. He has a plus fastball and a plus slider to go with an average change up. With his durable frame and his workhorse mentality, he should be an excellent back end of the rotation type.
11. Luis Mateo-RHP
Plus, plus stuff across the board... future middle of the rotation type due to lack of wipeout 3rd pitch.
12 Andrew Church-RHP
Great stuff, good command, front of the rotation arm if he can put it all together.
13. Domingo Tapia-RHP
The Met's best relief prospect has great stuff across the board and could be the future closer.
14. Hansel Roble-RHP
Good fastball, average secondary pitches but plus command allows him to be a potential middle of the rotation type arm.
15. Jacob DeGrom-RHP
Has #2 stuff but his command and control will decide whether he's a front end or back end starter.
16. Cesar Puello-OF
He's got a good ceiling as the next Mets' right fielder with all tools either above average or plus.
17. Wilfredo Tovar-SS
He'll give Cecchini a run for his money at short but at this point, he might be forced to move to the outfield.
18. Cory Mazzoni-RHP
He needs more pitches to stay in the rotation. If he can't, then a future in the bullpen is in store.
19. Amed Rosario-3B
He's just 17 but he could potentially be David Wright's successor. All of his tools grade out as a plus... however, it's too early whether we can place that burden on him.
20. Kevin Plawecki-C
Originally thought of as the Mets' long term solution at Catcher, with TDA in the fold, he probably will see time as a very, very good backup.
And there you have it, that's the Mets' top 20 prospects. The biggest thing you'll notice is how deep we are in pitching. Which isn't a bad thing at all. Aside from Smith and TDA, there aren't many impact bats in the system. Hopefully, that's something that will change here in the near future.