We’ve reached the top 5 of our list of prospects. So, without further adieu here’s the Mets best 5 prospects for 2012 (spoiler alert, it’s mostly pitchers):
5. Jenrry Mejia – Mejia was number one on everyone’s lists just a few years ago, but his prospect status has fallen a bit. He was part of an ill-fated bullpen experiment that Omar Minaya and Jerry Manual tried to use to help save their jobs, and that probably lead to Tommy John Surgery for him. He should be back by June or July of this year, and could join Harvey and Familia in the Triple-A rotation. Whether Mejia’s future is as a starter or reliever is still up for debate, but he’s young enough for the Mets to be patient with him and allow him to develop his secondary pitches. If that doesn’t pan out he has enough stuff to be a useful bullpen piece.
4. Jeurys Familia – Of the Mets big four pitching prospects Familia may have the best fastball, which is the main reason how he got where he is now. His slider isn’t too shabby, showing signs of being an above average major league pitch. The key for Familia will be his changeup. If his changeup develops as a reliable third pitch he’ll have what he needs to become a number 2 or 3 starter. If not, then Familia will most likely end up in the bullpen, where he has the stuff to become a quality late-inning reliever. Either way, the Mets will add a talented and powerful arm to their pitching staff in the not-too-distant future.
3. Brandon Nimmo – The Mets’ first round pick last season, Nimmo is a five-tool prospect. Drafted out of Wyoming where he played Legion Ball, he didn’t have high school baseball where he attended school. Nimmo caught the attention of scouts at the All-America game in Chicago, holding his own with some of the top draft prospects in the country. He’s years away from the big leagues, but his ceiling is that of a star. Look for him to play for the Cyclones later this summer.
2. Zack Wheeler – When he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants last summer Wheeler immediately became one of the Mets top prospects. He has mid to upper 90’s velocity and the kind of stuff that can make him a top-of-the-line starter in the big leagues one day. Of the big four pitching prospects the Mets have in the upper levels of their farm system he has the highest ceiling. The only thing keeping him from the top spot on this list is the fact that he is at least a year and a half to two years away from his big league debut. There’s still plenty of time left before Mets fans will see him at Citi Field, but he had a strong finish last season after the trade and he is starting this season at AA, so he’s getting closer and should have a bright future ahead of him.
1. Matt Harvey – Harvey has blazed through the minor leagues, and is the Mets top prospect. He starts the year as the ace for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and could be pitching in Citi Field by the end of the season. He is a sturdy righty that throws a good fastball with sink, a curveball, and a change-up, which needs development. Harvey’s ceiling is a good number two starter or possibly a solid ace.
9 comments
Stick
4/26/2012-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Harvey will be up this year, and I would not be surprised to see Wheeler in 2013, even if just a September cameo to get him acclimated.
Bryan
4/26/2012-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
If Harvey keeps up what he’s done the last 2 starts, the all-star break call up could be a possibility. Wheeler will def be up September 2013 at the latest since he’s rule 5 eligible after 2013 anyway.
srt
4/26/2012-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
4 pitchers and a position player. I guess the reputation of the NY Mets being a pitching franchise first continues.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/26/2012-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
I’m midway through a post about a need for impact bats. Stay tuned!
Stick
4/26/2012-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
make sure to include that young stud SP is tremendously valuable, and a wonderful trade chip.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/26/2012-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
I won’t be knocking the prospects we have, just pointing out a need for impact position player prospects. Maybe Wilmer is breaking out? Who knows.
Stick
4/26/2012-4:27pm at 4:27 pm (UTC -4)
never know when a guy like legares, Puello, etc. is going to fully click and just burst onto the scene either. Both are potential candidates for that.
Stick
4/26/2012-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
dang, wish I was able to watch this game. Had gameday up for the 9th, sneaking peeks during a CF. Looked exciting.
and screw anyone who said this team doesn’t have heart, grit, balls or interest in playing and winning.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/26/2012-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
Recap up, but yeah, GRIT BABY