Happy Friday, everybody! Today, we wrap up the first half of our top-50 prospect list with 26-30. Today we’ll see plenty of familiar names, as we’re getting to the part of the list with older guys that are tough to rank. Here it goes:
30. Tyler Pill, RP – Pill is probably my favorite of all the college pitchers the Mets took in 2011. He was a pitcher and a hitter in college, so he didn’t focus solely on pitching until he became a professional, so there’s more room to grow than with most college arms. He had great control and great numbers between Savannah and St. Lucie last year. The stuff won’t blow anybody away, but his changeup and his curve have a chance to be average MLB pitches. If he can become a guy with three average pitches and pinpoint control, he’ll have a chance to pitch in the big leagues.
29. Elvin Ramirez, RP – It’s tough to know where to place Ramirez on this list. He’s not a finished product, so while he probably won’t have a spot on the opening day roster, it’s hard to believe we won’t see him at all in Flushing in 2013. He’s only thrown a little over 80 innings above A-ball, including his time in the big leagues, so he could definitely use more seasoning. He can throw the kind of heat that will eventually put him in a big league bullpen, but his control will ultimately determine if he’s a 5th and 6th inning guy or a 7th and 8th inning guy.
28. Zach Lutz, 3B – Lutz is another guy who is hard to place. There’s no doubt that Lutz can hit, but he’s never been able to showcase his skills in the majors, and he may never be able to break the stigma of being injury prone. He has no outfield experience, so while his bat could be useful on an MLB bench, he doesn’t have much of a shot at making the Mets out of spring training. He’s getting close to being the next man cut on the 40-man roster if/when the Mets need to clear a space, so he may not even be with the organization much longer. Still, the guy can hit and if given a chance he could be a decent major league third baseman.
27. Reese Havens, 2B – Havens is running out of both time and opportunities. The once “second baseman of the future” is now 26 and has exactly 0 at bats in AAA or the big leagues. He missed the first part of last year, but eventually managed to play in 94 games; however, his strikeout rate skyrocketed to an unacceptable level, which helped drop his average to .215. If the Mets need to free up space on the 40-man roster at some point, Havens could be near the chopping block, as his future is hard to predict. Most likely, something will finally give for Havens and the Mets in 2013, either he’ll finally figure it out or it’ll be the end of the line for him in the Mets organization.
26. Erik Goeddel, RP – I doubt anybody has Goeddel as high as I do, but I’m just not willing to give up on a guy that flashes such brilliant stuff. Goeddel has been a starter in his minor league career, but he has been too inconsistent from start to start, either getting through it without much trouble or struggling considerably. At some point the Mets will have to move him to the bullpen, and once he’s there if he can hone his stuff and pitch with consistency, he has the talent to be an impact bullpen piece in the majors.
53 comments
Prismo
2/8/2013-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
I honestly think barring a true turn-around/healthy year Reese Havens is pretty much done in the organization. Between his age, lack of production, and injury history it’s just looking dim.
Lutz is also 26, turning 27 in June, and has no spot on this team as solely a corner infielder. I think if he has any value the Mets should trade him before he’s forced off the 40 man and picked up by another team. Also not a big fan of his HR power….seems as if his ceiling is 20-25 home runs, which is hard to sell at one of those positions.
srt
2/8/2013-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
While the odds of Havens staying healthy doesn’t look too good – since his signing with the Mets have been just one injury or another – how great would it be if he finally has put that in the past?
From what I’ve been reading he still projects as a power hitting second baseman. We could use one of them in the lineup right about now.
TRS86
2/8/2013-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
I can’t see him being any better than Murphy offensively and dammit he’s left handed. Did Omar ever draft a RH?
Prismo
2/8/2013-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
Checking out his draft history. Probably will be too lazy to come to conclusions…
Oh my god, he sacrificed our first round pick in 2007 to sign MOISES ALOU. Can you imagine Sandy doing that? LOL
srt
2/8/2013-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Ha! Not even remotely.
Prismo
2/8/2013-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
I feel better now. The Giants drafted Wendell Fairley with their pick from the Mets. Guy is still in AA and has been pretty terrible across the board…probably out of a job sooner rather than later.
That was one pick after the Twins drafted Phillies’ CF Ben Revere. We almost had out center fielder! haha
srt
2/8/2013-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
LOL…was thinking the same thing about RH bats….
Stick
2/8/2013-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
the few they had seem to have had problems staying ehalthy (lutz) or play the wrong position (Flores). Or the OFs just did not develop as hoped (Lagares, Vaughn).
man, if Vaughn could have (or could have had) a break out season to actually put himself on the real prospect map, that would help immensely. Probably his last year to step up before getting branded as an org filler afterthought that will get shuffled around to accomodate “real” prospects.
Stick
2/8/2013-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
I hope they can keep hanvens for 1 more year. I have not given up all hope for him. He was so close before his rib took him down. Quite likely he finally surfaces with another team as a late bloomer, but I still want him down in Bingo or Vegas this year.
though if Flores can prove able to handle 2B and come up totake over that spot, Havens will really be screwed otu of a spot!
TRS86
2/8/2013-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
I can’t place Lutz or Havens in the top 50 anymore much less in the top 30. Their ships IMO may have sailed a year ago. Lutz, I still can’t figure out why he was never traded. Must have had 0 value.
darknova306
2/8/2013-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
At this point, I’m surprised to even see Havens mentioned anymore. Does anyone out there still have hope/expectations for him? He fell off my radar at least a year ago now.
TRS86
2/8/2013-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah and Lutz was never really on a radar to start with. LOL.
wanny
2/8/2013-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
lutz can hit but he’s always hurt. how can he have trade value on the DL?
havens will not survive the spring on the 40 man. once they need some space for one of the non-roster invites, havens is out. he’d probably clear waivers and stick around though.
TX
2/8/2013-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
It’s annoying, as I can see how this all is going to play out. Haven struggles a little,Darrr-Noooo is ripping it up, needs to be called up and they drop Havens off the 40 man instead of Recker. Havens gets snagged and turns into a better fielding Murph type hitter with more power.
Stick
2/8/2013-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
there are other guys on the bubble. Especially at the end of ST when every team has a 40 man crunch usually.
Lutz could go, depending on what he does in ST. Or, might have a 60 day DL injury pop up. A trade would still be sweet.
they also have guys like German and Burke, that if they don’t light up the world in ST, are highly unlikely to get claimed (german especially).
so, room can be made. the real problem will be if say 5 MiL invites all the make the team and need spots, though odds are it won’t happen, and Sandy would still send some down to keep players in the organization.
TX
2/8/2013-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
Fair points, for sure. I just have this sinking feeling Havens is going to be lost and then the Good Lord on high with make Havens rest for a 14 day DL stint and craft a magical bat from one of his ribs, thus correcting his injuries and enabling Havens to hit homeruns that go into McCovey Cove over the LF fence…
Stick
2/8/2013-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
sounds plausible to me.
I was really hoping that last season, after getting his rib injury fixed, was going to be his breakout year. Then they could have traded murphy to help plug the OF gap, and free up some more $ going forward for real players!
so, if they can keep him in the system in 2013, it could still happen if Murphy goes down for some reason (injured), or after the season he could be traded 9and he is getting more expensive).
TX
2/8/2013-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
Stick,
Joe D reporting Valdy got hurt and had to be helped off the field. There goes the CF theory. Sorry bud.
Stick
2/8/2013-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
well, that freaking blows. Hit him with the magic rib wand and send him back out there.
maybe it was just a big scare and not serious. But given my recent prognostication record, his career is probably over.
srt
2/8/2013-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
For crying out loud…
These are the type of things Boras is counting on re: Bourn. Some team will lose a key OF in ST and jump into the Bourn sweepstakes.
Stick
2/8/2013-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
at least we know that won’t be the mets. They don’t have a key OF to lose!
srt
2/8/2013-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – and unlike other GMs, Boras isn’t going to be able to play that card with SA, I’m thinking….If Sandy doesn’t get the deal he wants, he’ll be content to go into ST with what we have.
Prismo
2/8/2013-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
The Valdespin in CF theory was bonkers anyway. Would rather have Kirk or Cowgill playing CF anyday over Jordy.
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
I tend to agree. NEVER been impressed by any part of his game.
Stick
2/8/2013-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
of course it was a fantasy. The cold gray winter is getting to me.
I do like the combo of speed and power. Whether it could translate into an everyday CF, who knows. I just don’t see him as a viable corner OF, but if he could handle CF based on his speed, then he could be worth something.
but losing him for now isn’t likely to change any plans.
So, Cowgill it is!
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Sorry I just didn’t see it. I saw a very undisciplined version of Juan Uribe.
Stick
2/8/2013-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
is it even possible to be that?
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
Evidently.
V-Spin as a starter:
.254 .288 .373 .661 with 24 K’s and 5 walks in 135 PA.
Prismo
2/8/2013-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I’m right with you TRS. I don’t like his discipline, I don’t like his attitude, I don’t especially love his fielding. I don’t really like anything!
greggofboken
2/8/2013-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
Lastings, Jr.
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
I honestly believe Lastings had more tools.
Prismo
2/8/2013-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
I’d say Lastings had significantly more tools, slightly less work ethic/attitude compared to Valdy.
TX
2/8/2013-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
While that is true, there really is no other spot for him (CF or RF). His infield D sucks. He’d really have to rip it up to make the team, in my mind. I would hope he could have been a part of a trade to net an actual OF bat in return.
Stick
2/8/2013-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
too bad Sandy did not get out memos about trading him and Familia when they had the chance.
i would say at this point, especially if this injury keeps him out of ST, there is a real good chance we have seen the last of him.
if nothing else, he could at least help by needing to be out long enough to need the 60 day DL, freeing up a 40 man spot!
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
I think we are maybe too high on the value of Familia and V-Spin. They were most likely just going to bring back more fodder anyway, certainly nothing worth while.
greggofboken
2/8/2013-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
I like the idea of Jordany Valdespin more than I like the reality of Jordany Valdespin.
LIke Kim Kardashian.
TX
2/8/2013-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
If only Sandy knew how to use that new fangled invention called the interweb. We have all his solutions right here.
TRS86
2/8/2013-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
LOL, Nice on Gregg.
srt
2/8/2013-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
I get the impression that Spin thinks he’s a little better talent wise than he actually is right now.
As TRS has been saying, he’s probably fine as a utility guy but making it as a starter on a contending team seems a stretch.
darknova306
2/8/2013-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
I want my players to be confident. Spin takes that to a disturbing level. He’s not even half the player he thinks he is. I like the speed and power, but his discipline is a joke.
Prismo
2/8/2013-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
Well if Spin thought he was half the player he is he’d become twice the player he aspires to be in half the time.
What?
greggofboken
2/8/2013-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Apparently the only damage Valdespin suffered was to his reputation in a certain corner of the blogosphere.
AdamRubinESPN Adam Rubin
Jordany Valdespin had cramps during an 18-inning Caribbean Series game yesterday in cold weather, but told @Enrique_Rojas1 he’s uninjured.
3doza33
2/8/2013-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
I think lupo and Robles will have much better careers than anyone in this section. These guys are a bunch of relief pitchers and utility guys at best! I guess prospect has a different meaning to me.
Bryan
2/8/2013-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
Closeness to the majors means something too. Even a guy that ends up in middle relief gives more to an organization than a more talented player that can’t get past AA. Remember, Ramirez and Lutz have some ML time and could definitely see some more, while Lupo hasn’t even played stateside and Robles hasn’t pitched in full-season ball, and there’s a big difference between that and what the older guys have already done to get to the upper levels and get close to the big leagues.
srt
2/8/2013-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Robles is one player I’ve seen varying degrees of projected future status on. Some seem higher on him than others.
I’ve actually read some outlets saying Robles is almost a ‘can’t miss’ if he stays on track – and others doubting he’ll ever have a ML career.
Stickguy
2/8/2013-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
that’s why they play the games on the field, not on paper!
Prismo
2/8/2013-4:36pm at 4:36 pm (UTC -4)
(Unless you’re a Strat-O-Matic player)
srt
2/8/2013-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
Have too admit, up until last year I didn’t follow the minor league talent all that much.
For example, it wasn’t until Ikew as in the big camp for ST a few years ago that I even heard of him. And it appeared like he was hitting a HR every other game. I remember thinking: ‘Who is this kid and where has he been hiding?’
Now, b/c of Bryan and others at this site as well as AA’s breakdown on prospects, I have a better idea of what we’ve got to look forward to. I also read MMO’s minor league projections as well. They appear to be a little more optimistic of some kids than some other outlets. It’ll be fun to see just how they all shake out.
Gotta love the internet…
3doza33
2/8/2013-5:43pm at 5:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, a few years ago I only knew of the prospects that tge mets talked about during games. Now I follow every team we have. It’s making this rebuilding period a lot more tolerable. If the mets stink it up I still have 6 minor league teams to root for! It’s great knowing these names and following their careers from tge very beginning now. I had a party and turned on the MLB draft and my friends looked at me like I had three heads! Never cared or knew anyone in the MLB draft a few years ago and now I know about pitchers with elbow problems in high school. Gotta love these blogs and technology!
wanny
2/8/2013-8:46pm at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
mets should waive havens now while he will go unclaimed. it will suck if they have to use his roster spot while he’s hitting .300 in May.
Bryan
2/8/2013-9:22pm at 9:22 pm (UTC -4)
End of spring is usually the best time to get guys through waivers, with everyone scrambling to get their rosters finalized, sometimes guys can slip through the cracks.
Stick
2/8/2013-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
only way havens gets claimed is if he has a really big spring. And if that happens, they won’t be trying to sneak him through.
srt
2/9/2013-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Good points.
Maybe Havens injury problems are behind him and we’ll finally see what he’s capable of. Analysis I’ve seen is the talent is still there – even if he is a little old at 26. He just cannot seem to stay healthy enough to ever showcase it.