Baseball America has come out with its list of the top 10 Mets prospects, and here it is:
1. Zack Wheeler, rhp
2. Gavin Cecchini, ss
3. Brandon Nimmo, of
4. Luis Mateo, rhp
5. Rafael Montero, rhp
6. Wilmer Flores, 3b/2b
7. Michael Fulmer, rhp
8. Jeurys Familia, rhp
9. Domingo Tapia, rhp
10. Cory Mazzoni, rhp
Wheeler being at the top is no surprise; he’s going to be at the top of everybody’s list. I’m a little surprised that Flores isn’t higher than 6th, and that he’s below Cecchini. I suppose it means that BA believes that Cecchini has a high ceiling. What Mateo is doing on this list, much less at 4, after one good season in Brooklyn is beyond me. He’s likely a top 20 prospect, and a guy that could rise through the system relatively quickly, but there’s no way he’s the fourth best prospect and second best pitcher in the organization. I’m a little surprised that Montero is ahead of both Tapia and Fulmer; although he is much closer to the big leagues. My final thought is why Mazzoni rounds out this list. If they wanted a guy that was close to contributing they could have gone with Matt Den Dekker, Darin Gorski, or Wilfredo Tovar. They also could have looked at Cesar Puello (still has great tools) or Aderlin Rodriguez.
In addition to the top-10 list, BA also has a list of the best tools in the system:
Best Hitter for Average: Wilmer Flores
Best Power Hitter: Aderlin Rodriguez
Best Strike Zone Discipline: Danny Muno
Fastest Baserunner: Alonzo Harris
Best Athlete: Bradley Marquez
Best Fastball: Domingo Tapia
Best Curveball: Zack Wheeler
Best Slider: Luis Mateo
Best Changeup: Darin Gorski
Best Control: Rafael Montero
Best Defensive Catcher: Albert Cordero
Best Defensive Infielder: Wilfredo Tovar
Best Infield Arm: Aderlin Rodriguez
Best Defensive OF: Matt den Dekker
Best Outfield Arm: Cesar Puello
Honestly, there are no surprises on this list, with the possible exception of Aderlin Rodriguez having the best infield arm because I know that Wilmer Flores also has quite a strong arm. The full write up, including a rather silly projection of the 2016 lineup can be found here: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2013/2614461.html
2 comments
Stick
12/14/2012-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
I wonder if the lack of true position is what is holding Flores back? But Gavin at 2 seems like a tremendous reach, and based only on draft position. Though I hope it really is based on in depth analysis and projection!
and man, I see they have Flores listed at 2B/3B. Assuming he is not traded soon, and is here next season, if he could show enough to be a viable 2B that would be a great bonus.
wanny
12/14/2012-9:08pm at 9:08 pm (UTC -4)
Mateo might be too old for my softball league.