We Do It “Our Way”
By Mike Silva
There are many prospect lists out there, and all generate discussion. I always say none are right or wrong, just different. It’s hard to evaluate players solely on stats, and any “insider” information from industry sources falls under an “opinion.” And, to be kind, you probably already know the old saying about how everyone has an opinion and something else. Also, to retain access, one may have to add baseball politics to their rankings to curry favor. None of that applies to Talkin’ Mets, as we are independent and not compromised.
With that spirit in mind, The Talkin’ Mets Podcast is taking a stab at making our own prospect list. With the help of my “super-contributor” David Mills, we put together a unique list of prospects for listeners of the show to review, ponder, and discuss.
We will both do a segment on the show in the near future and discuss this list. The trade deadline is perfect, as a few of these individuals may be sent packing for pennant race reinforcements.
We tried using different criteria to create the rankings. Hopefully, it’s a bit different and will get everyone thinking.
Without further ado, I introduce the first part of the Talkin’ Mets Prospect List: The Top 15 Positional Players.
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The Top 15 Positional Prospects
By David Mills
Mid-season is the second-best time to analyze system talent and is only bested by a year-end review, which we will bring you at the close of the current campaign. Accordingly, Talkin’ Mets have taken a long look at what’s down on the farm and decided that the usual top-whatever lists are difficult to fathom. We prefer to break the top-25 into a Top-15 Position Players and Top-10 Pitchers. This should make it easier to discern talent.
Our proprietary criteria for consideration on the Talkin’ Mets prospect list:
Players are eligible until their 26th birthday
Hitters with 200+ MLB ABs & pitchers with 16 MLB starts or 30 appearances are no longer eligible
Pitchers recovering from TJ, shoulder surgery, or serious incapacity omitted
2024 draftees are not included
You won’t find Baty, Butto, Nunez, Montes de Oca, or Lavender here, but that doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t make “The Show.” Nor does it mean we don’t like them. It appears Butto and Nunez are already there to stay.
Let’s also address some realities: With Lindor entrenched at shortstop, Nimmo in left field, and Alvarez at catcher, those positions are pretty much locked up late into the decade. So, shortstop types will be playing elsewhere on the field. Catchers are also likely to be blocked, and the Mets have some intriguing receiver prospects. One will likely be the Alvarez backup in two to three years, but all could be quality trade bait. It should also be noted that Vientos will be a cog in the Mets wheel for some time. His third base play, with a powerful gun, has been a revelation, but he can also play first base and DH.
One thing we must mention… In professional baseball, the published player's height and weight are gathered when they first arrive at a minor league complex. Astonishingly, it generally stays with them for years. So, when you stand by Ronny Mauricio and Alex Ramirez taking BP at Port St. Lucie and wonder how they can be listed at 6’3” and 170 lbs. (when they look every bit of 215 or more)—wonder no more!
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TALKIN' METS TOP-15 POSITION PLAYER PROSPECTS
1. Luisangel Acuna, INF/OF
2. Drew Gilbert, OF
3. Ronny Mauricio, INF
4. Jett Williams, INF/OF
5. Jacob Reimer, 3B/1B/DH
This top-5 is a conundrum. Players 2-5 have all missed all or most of the 2024 season due to injury. So, any order of the first four is acceptable…
ACUNA (22) holds down the #1 spot because he’s played all season. He also persevered through a painfully slow first six weeks but has excelled ever since. He combines plus defensive prowess in the middle infield (and CF) with blazing speed and heady baserunning. The bat plays for a top-of-the-order guy, but the lack of walks is a concern. Next year, he may be manning second base or center field and batting ninth at Citi Field.
GILBERT (23) gets the nod in the two-hole due to being a left-handed hitting outfielder with excellent range, a powerful arm, plus speed, not to mention a decent power bat with 21 bombs in 140 MiLB games. And in 2023, he put together a stellar second half with the Rumble Ponies. The real question: Can he stay healthy, or is he the Pete Reiser (look him up) of the 21st Century?
MAURICIO (23) certainly offers an upside in terms of switch-hitting power and speed. However, a high rate of strikeouts and low walks are a concern, along with where he will end up playing. If the Mets lose Alonso, he could be an interesting option at first base. Coming off an outstanding 2023 Triple-A season, Mauricio is likely to start 2025 at Syracuse but won’t be there for long.
WILLIAMS (20) can easily be #1, but his season-ending wrist surgery has derailed a quick ascent through the system. Wrist injuries can be problematic for hitters. Speed and a terrific eye at the plate is his game. He will likely start 2025 at Brooklyn and move quickly to Binghamton, but where he will play defense is the real question.
REIMER (20)—our system sleeper—started a rehab assignment on July 9 after missing the entire first half. Kind of a David Wright body type and third sacker, with a very good eye at the dish. As of this report, In 116 MiLB games, he has 89 strikeouts, but the 74 walks are worth noting, along with an impressive in-zone contact rate of 91%. Where will he play? Corners or DH, if his power comes to the fore. The kind of plus plate discipline Reimer exhibits (i.e., Brandon Nimmo) is not teachable.
6. Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF/DH
7. Jeremy Rodriguez, INF
8. Wilfredo Lara, INF/OF
9. Marco Vargas, INF
10. Ronald Hernandez, C
When looking to the future, this group (age 20 and under) is a real eye-opener and very likely to enjoy multiple successes…
CLIFFORD (20) was one of the two premiere pickups from the Astros for Justin Verlander and has not disappointed when it comes to power (especially after being moved from hitting unfriendly Brooklyn to the more friendly confines of Binghamton). Like most power bats, strikeouts plague his game. However, Clifford’s elevated BB% is a real plus. Lack of speed likely limits him to 1B or DH.
RODRIGUEZ (18), the return from the D-Backs for Tommy Pham, was a highly touted 2023 international signing ($1.2M) from the DR. Lots of bat-to-ball skills, +speed, smooth glove, and rangy in the middle infield. He is one of the plethora of prospects who can become the Mets second baseman of the future as he fills out.
LARA (20) could become the quintessential utility man, and along with Reimer, a real sleeper prospect, who other teams may well be coveting. He has muscled up this past year and possesses decent speed. Should start 2025 at Binghamton and wear a plethora of gloves.
VARGAS (19) is a smooth 2B-type with incredible plate discipline that rendered more walks than strikeouts. His bat-to-ball skills distribute line-drives all over the field a la Luiz Arraez. A heady approach to the basepaths and +speed makes him an on-base threat.
HERNANDEZ (20) A switch-hitting solid receiver acquired along with Vargas from Miami for David Robertson. The deal screams upside potential. In 210 MiLB games, here’s some of what Hernandez has done offensively via an approach that prizes advanced plate discipline and pitch recognition: 140 BB, 188 Ks, .373 OBP, and .761 OPS. Receiving skills are above average, with average arm strength. Scouts and coaches like his leadership qualities aided by bilingual abilities.
11. Yovanny Rodriguez, C
12. Kevin Parada, DH/1B/C
13. Colin Houck, INF
14. Boston Baro, INF
15. Alex Ramirez, OF
This is our most eclectic group of prospects, headed by an international signee and two First Round draft choices…
RODRIGUEZ (17) signed for a whopping $2.85M (50% of the Mets international pool) earlier this year. His plus-plus arm, advanced receiving skills, and game-calling are much talked about and admired. The arm plays in the new era of stolen bases. Every indication he can turn into a decent power threat with very good bat-to-ball from the right side. Time will tell regarding this talented youngster.
PARADA (23) Was much heralded in 2022 for two outstanding offensive campaigns at Georgia Tech, and the Mets pounced. However, scouts were prescient when they claimed his defense is woefully lacking. Power potential and high exist velocity keep him even this high on the list. Too much swing and miss combined with defensive deficiencies make Parada a platoon at first base or DH at best.
HOUCK (19) was the Mets first-rounder in 2023. They loved that he was a football/baseball high school standout with a body to match. Plus-plus arm makes him a candidate for 3B. Has decent speed and should develop power, but the Mets really took a flyer on his athleticism, and accordingly, this experiment may take a while. This is why you must look past the underwhelming stats he’s produced to date. Early returns are somewhat positive but difficult to assess at this point.
BARO (19) was destined for UCLA when the Mets swooped in on the 8th Round of the 2023 draft and paid him $700K ($500K over slot). In rookie ball and Low-A, he has proven to be a line-drive threat with a superb eye at the dish. His 28 BB and only 44 Ks in 224 ABs, while batting .287, .373 OBP, and .779 OPS, make him one to watch. It looks like he can handle all the infield slots and has already put 20 lbs. on his slender athletic frame.
RAMIREZ (21) is the prodigal “What the heck is going on here and will this guy ever be the player that received over $2M as an international signee in 2019.” The answer is a rather verbose— who knows? He’s toolsy, fast, has a powerful gun, has a big athletic body, and can’t seem to put it all together. He has 30 stolen bases this year but only 4 HR, 38 RBI, and a .651 OPS in 310 AB. Outfield routes are questionable, and he has not been going past Double-A for quite some time. So, why is he here? It’s all the potential wrapped in that package (and the $2M). But he is still only 21.
ATTRACTING ATTENTION
Jesus Baez, INF (19); Nick Morabito, OF (21); AJ Ewing, INF/OF (20)
Final Thoughts
What do you think? Let us know! You can comment here if you are a subscriber or send an email to me at mikesilva@talkinmetspodcast.com
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s second part of the prospect list: The Top-10 Pitchers in the system.
