So we’re a few weeks into the season but it’s not too late to come out with our official list of top prospects. Throughout the week we’ll be counting down from 20 all the way down to 1. So without further adieu let’s start the prospect countdown:
20. Akeel Morris – Morris rounds out the top 20 because he owns one of the most electric arms in the organization. Such electricity brings a lot of strikeouts, but it also brings control issues and a lot of walks. Morris is still not in full-season ball, so he has a lot of time left to learn how to control his pitches better and hone is stuff, but in the mean time a guy that can throw heat the way he does should be interesting to watch.
19. Erik Goeddel – If Goeddel can get back on the mound, he has potential to become a nice bullpen arm for the Mets, it will certainly be interesting to see if they convert him to the pen or not, as it appears that his arm struggled with the stress of being a starting pitcher. He pitched well before being injured and has the potential to have two plus pitches, so all hope is not lost.
18. Aderlin Rodriguez – Rodriguez ranks here because he has a lot of raw power. Last year as a 19-year old he hit 17 homeruns while playing half of his games in pitching friendly Grayson Stadium in Savannah. His power and youth will continue to give him a chance to prove himself as a prospect for years to come, which is a good thing because other than his power he doesn’t have a whole lot going for him. He does not hit for a good enough average and his walk rate is low while his strikeout rate is high. Also, his defense at third base is subpar, despite having a strong enough arm to play the position. His power is too much to ignore, but if he can’t become more of a well-rounded player in the next couple of years he’ll top out as a homerun-hitting AAA player.
17. Juan Urbina – Urbina was a major international signing, and although the results haven’t been there yet, he is not yet 19 so he has plenty of time to reach his potential, which is rather high. Any lefty who can throw in the 90’s is going to be a guy to watch, let alone one with a potential plus breaking pitch and great bloodlines from his father Ugueth, who pitched in the big leagues for 11 years. Keep an eye out for Urbina to breakout at some point, because he is young and loaded with talent.
16. Matt Den Dekker – One would have to search far and wide to find a better defensive centerfielder than Den Dekker. He has plus speed, gets good reads on the ball, and has a propensity for making spectacular plays. That defensive prowess is his biggest asset in making it to the major leagues. The question with Den Dekker is whether or not his hitting will be enough to make him an everyday player. He is coming off a season in which he had an outburst of power with 32 doubles, 11 triples, and 17 homeruns. However, his strikeout rate was way too high and he still hasn’t proven that he can consistently hit lefties in the upper levels. Moving forward he’ll need to improve against lefties and show a diminished strike out rate while still being able to hit for some power. If he can do that then he may just be the Mets centerfield of the future, but if not he projects more as a fourth outfielder.
52 comments
Stick
4/23/2012-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Den Dekker so far does look like he won’t be a complete enough hitter to become an every day guy. But, a cheap 4th OF that can player upper echelon defense, and have some pop off the bench, can still be valuable.
Bryan
4/23/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
That would be my guess at this point. It’s still early but the strikeouts are still a little high and he’s not done well against lefties.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/23/2012-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Am I the only one that thinks that Torres isn’t a bad comp for MDD?
Stick
4/23/2012-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Ithought that same thing, but had already hit submit before I added that. basically, MDD could profile to be a more powerful, younger, cheaper Torres right now. With better defense.
And a very useful piece if you are going to have a ocuple of defensively challenged (or average at best) guys starting out there, since there is a bigger need for a defensive replacement type.
trs86
4/23/2012-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
I was thinking maybe a poor man’s Rasmus or even an old school Obie McDowell.
Prismo
4/23/2012-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
So Valdespin and Hefner are taxi’d to NY, but neither is officially called up.
Wouldn’t Valdespin only be called up if he was going to see significant playing time?
People are saying he’d replace Baxter on the bench, but that makes 0 sense to me.
Prismo
4/23/2012-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
I guess Collins is addressing it before the game?
I’m totally lost. Maybe they traded Daniel Murphy for Roy Halladay.
Stick
4/23/2012-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
unless there is an injury issue we don’t know about?
no way you could be looking at Spin as a defensive upgrade in CF! And, to be on the bench, replacing Baxter, he would have to be usable in RF and LF too.
No, he makes no sense unless they are cutting ties with Cedeno, are calling it quits on Murphy at 2B, or someone is hurt.
Stick
4/23/2012-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
heffner makes sense, in terms of being activated for game 2 with batista being sent down. Based most likely on how much the pen pitches iin game 1.
Spin? No clue why he is here. Can’t see him replacing anyone starting, and while he might be more well rounded on the bench than Baxter, it seems to be a waste to have him sitting up here instead of playing daily. Plus, he hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire.
srt
4/23/2012-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
This must be for the new CBA rule involving allowing 26 man rosters for double headers.
Can call up the extra guy w/o sending anyone down for the day.
Sounds like with Hefner and Valdespin called up they’ll use one only in each game?
srt
4/23/2012-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t expect to see Valdespin here for more than the one day. I agree you can’t have him sitting on the bench – even if you sent Baxter down.
Hefner…..I could see leaving him in the BP but who in there has options to go back down? Certainly not Batista. They’re not going to send Parnell down. I think Manny is out of option as well.
Stick
4/23/2012-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
I think I must have missed the point. I was thinking they needed to replace a guy on the roster.
If this is a case where you keep the 25 man intact, but can add a 26th just for the DH, sending him back down afterwards, that makes a difference.
Heffner could get added for game 1, figuring that between him and batista they can get a normal Sp innings allotment?
Still don’t see why Valdespin, unless they want to give him a try in game 2 so Murphy doesn’t have to play back to back? Thought they do have turner. maybe to replace tejada?
I guess we shall know soon enough.
trs86
4/23/2012-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, I missed that rule. Interesting.
srt
4/23/2012-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
I suspect it was more about getting an extra arm up without having to send someone down for 15 days. But there is no restriction to say it can’t be a position player.
I didn’t realize though you could have 2 different guys activated – one for each game – which seems to be the way we’re going today. 1 arm, 1 position player.
Makes sense though.
If I remember correctly, we wound up playing 2 double headers in like a 4-5 days span last year. Second one was in Atlanta. Mets were not happy that Atlanta forced that double header as it was earlier in the season and could have been easily made up. We really had to mix/match with pitching on that stretch. Now it won’t be an issue.
srt
4/23/2012-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Reading Rubin’s recent tweets:
Valdespin and Hefner are here and will be in uniform in the clubhouse, but neither have been called up yet. Terry will address…
Taxi squad is available–not just as injury contingency like Satin/Wright in Philly. Player just has to leave next day if not activated.
Terry Collins cryptically said there is a player who may be disabled in next hour.
*********************************************
Interesting on that last one. Who currently can be considered hurt to go on the DL? And who of the 2 would they be keeping then?
srt
4/23/2012-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Per Rubin:
Collins said he didn’t want to tip off Giants about injury in case player avoids DL.
*****************
What?
Stick
4/23/2012-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Valdespin seems like a DL replacement option. Heffner seems like a 26th man since the pen will be short. And you need some kind of long man in case batista flames out early today.
srt
4/23/2012-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Line-up for firs game:
1) Kirk Nieuwenhuis CF
2) Daniel Murphy 2B
3) David Wright 3B
4) Lucas Duda RF
5) Ike Davis 1B
6) Josh Thole C
7) Ruben Tejada SS
8) Mike Baxter LF
9) Miguel Batista RHP
**************************
Interesting…Duda and Ike switched.
Don’t see any injury candidates here. Someone in the BP?
Stick
4/23/2012-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
francisco? Can’t think of anyone else that has been hobbled. Well, bay isn’t playing, but I figured that was a L/R thing.
Prismo
4/23/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Unless…BAY IS HEADED TO THE DL.
DUN DUN DUNNNNN.
Stick
4/23/2012-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
must have been something new if that was the case. Finger regressed?
and if that was the case, baxter and hariston would platoon, with Spin being the spare OF, with Kirk moving to a corner if needed?
Just don’t see it, but all should be explained soon enough.
NJstuckinTX
4/23/2012-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t think of who else it could be.
NJstuckinTX
4/23/2012-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
Never mind. Per Matts Blog
“Mike Baxter is starting in left field for game one because he wants to get him in the lineup. Jason Bay and Scott Hairston will play in the outfield in game two.”
Stick
4/23/2012-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
then for position players, that only leaves Turner and Cedeno. Valdespin does play MI, so he could replace Cedeno.
Prismo
4/23/2012-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
So this only leaves Cedeno and Turner, right? Am I missing anyone?
NJstuckinTX
4/23/2012-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
Believe so. Either way, isn’t it better for Spin to get more reps than ride the bench?
Prismo
4/23/2012-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
Ronny Cedeno is not out practicing with the team. (Per Rubin)
Could it be him!?
P.S. We need more Mets-mysteries like this to keep me busy during the day.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
It would (logically, though this is the Mets we are talking about…) have to be Cedeno, since he is the only guy that Valdespin could really replace positionally. With the added bonus I guess of being able to wander around aimlessly in CF on occasion.
srt
4/23/2012-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
Rubin:
Ronny Cedeno is likely going to DL, I’m hearing.
So I would expect Hefner active for doubleheader, then Valdespin tomorrow, once they get through day.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
why not DL cedeno for valdespin, and deactivate someone else for Heffner (a SP?)
srt
4/23/2012-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think they need to deactivate anyone for Heffner. He’ll probably be the 26th man for at least game one.
I’m reading it’s Cedeno who might be hurt. So don’t know if he’s unavailable today and won’t be DL’d until tomorrow – whereby Valdespin takes his place.
Not really understanding why they just don’t put Cedeno on the DL today. Unless they’re giving him one more day to see how he is tomorrow. Then if need be, Tuesday they DL him and Valdespin takes his place.
But…that leaves them a bench man short today for a DH. Which makes no sense to me.
Bryan
4/23/2012-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
It seems like if Cedeno goes on the DL Hefner will be available for the double header and then be optioned and Valdespin will then be activated.
On a side note, Hefner was supposed to pitch for Buffalo tonight, so he needs to be replaced and with the new rule Buffalo can bring up players to replace Hefner and Valdespin while they are taxi-squaders. Now, Binghamton is off tonight but if they were playing their starter on normal rest would be Zach Wheeler. So, not sure if it will happen, but the Mets have an opportunity to give him a spot start at AAA if they want.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
I still haven’t seen any clear explanation of the taxi squad rule. normally it means you can deactivate someone just for the game, in order to have some extra bodies, so in that case doesn’t it make sense to deactivate Pelfrey for the day, since he pitched last?
I cedeno really is going on the DL, they should do that now and activate Valdespin so that the bench is not short for 2 games. Heffner would then taxi squad with someone else.
srt
4/23/2012-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
This makes sense to me too. Which just goes to show I really don’t know all the rules with this new regulation.
Why play a man short on the bench today during a DH?
Bryan
4/23/2012-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
The Taxi Squad rule, from what I understand, means that the team can bring Hefner and Valdespin to New York and they can be in the clubhouse just in case a roster spot becomes available, but they are technically active.
In the past they would have been sitting in a hotel room real covertly a mile from Citi Field waiting for a call. The rule also allows Buffalo to add 2 players to its Roster for tonight’s game to replace Hefner and Valdespin. Also, Hefner and Valdespin have 24 hours to be activated or they have to return to Buffalo.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
OK. so while they are with the team, they still can’t play unless a move is made to the 25 man roster 9DL or someone going down).
so it really could be batista pitching game 1, then being sent down with Heffner activated?
Still can’t figure out why they would hold off on the Dl for Cedeno, unless they really think he could be better tomorrow? But playing 2 games in one day a man short seems silly.
Bryan
4/23/2012-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
It seems like Hefner and/or Valdespin being activated is contingent on Cedeno going to the DL, but my first thought when I saw this was that if Batista got bombed in game 1 and the bullpen had to go 5 or 6 innings that they could DFA him in-between games and use Hefner in game 2.
Stick
4/23/2012-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
before even hearing about the taxi squad, I mentioned that they should have a guy on hand for that reason. If Batista can pitch deeper (like a SP should) and will be lost for 3-4 days, then send him down and get a fresh arm up for the 2nd game and the Marlin’s series.
wanny
4/23/2012-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
Never thought I would read someone reference good bloodlines and Ugie Urbina in the same sentence. I guess from a talent perspective…
I am not familiar with this 26 man roster rule for DH. interesting.
If Valdespin is an injury replacement, I guess you have to look at middle infielders and outfielders. Justin Turner can certainly be DL’d because his bat is broken.
Stick
4/23/2012-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
not likely, since he is the back up at corner IF too, right?
Prismo
4/23/2012-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Cedeno “likely” headed to the DL.
Time for the Mets to start tanking. (jkjk)
Prismo
4/23/2012-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
Valdespin could be called up for the second game if Hefner pitches in the first.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
If you took a poll as to the 1 guy on the team that would have the least negative impact to lose, he would probably win in a landslide.
What will be interesting to see though if Valdespin replaces him, how much PT will he take from murphy and Kirk? can’t see him impacting Tejada at all.
and I have to laugh, Terry playing coy games with the Giants not wanting to tip his hand, about Cedeno? You think the Giants even knew he was on the team (or gave a hoot?)
Bryan
4/23/2012-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
No way Valdespin plays CF in the bigs at this point. Kirk, Hairston, and possibly Bay would all have to be incapacitated before Valdespin played there at this point. He’s only had a couple weeks in AAA and does not have the nuances down. He would probably only get pinch-hit AB’s, maybe a start or two.
srt
4/23/2012-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
So it’s looking like Hefner activated one day for the double header.
And possibly Cedeno to the DL with Valdespin being activated tomorrow, if necessary.
Stick
4/23/2012-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
For the DH replacement, do they just take 1 guy from the 25 man and deactivate him for a day? If so, makes sense to do pelf, since he won’t play anyway. And Dl cedeno for Spin so the bench is not short.
Bryan
4/23/2012-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
No, you can’t just deactivate someone for one day. What would happen is Cedeno would be placed on the DL freeing up a spot for Hefner. If Hefner pitches in game one they would likely option him back to Buffalo between games opening up a spot for Valdespin. Or, if Hefner doesn’t pitch in game one wait until after game 2 to option him and then Valdespin would be active for tomorrow.
srt
4/23/2012-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
My head hurts……
Stick
4/23/2012-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
I guess that makes sense. And it would continue a Met tradition of playing a man short whenever possible.
Ceetar
4/23/2012-2:58pm at 2:58 pm (UTC -4)
not really, just would have a 12th pitcher for the doubleheader.
Ceetar
4/23/2012-2:58pm at 2:58 pm (UTC -4)
13th.*
Stick
4/23/2012-3:06pm at 3:06 pm (UTC -4)
a man short on the bench that is.