10. Matt Reynolds
Univ.
of Arkansas (2nd Round of the 2012 Draft)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 22
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Positives: very versatile infielder, decent speed and solid in
the field, a natural line-drive hitter, compact, short stroke, good plate
discipline, hits well with runners on base, athletic, has leadership qualities
Negatives: only average power, lacking a position: not enough
for corner infield spot, may not be good enough defensively to be a Major
League shortstop
ETA: 2015
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Matt Reynolds
Projection: Reynolds is described as a high floor, low ceiling
kind of player. Therefore, the Tulsa native projects as a utility infielder if
he reaches the highest level. He was a captain at Arkansas and is the
high-character leader you want in a locker room.
Best-Case Scenario: reliable, utility infielder (Ryan Theriot type)
MLB.com Ranks: #18 in system (#5 infielder)
Baseball America: Best Pure Hitter of the Draft Class
Across the John Rank: #52 overall
9. Wilfredo
Tovar
Signed
as an International Free Agent in 2007 (Venezuela)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton
Positives: excellent defender, good arm, rarely strikes out
(8.6%), had enough power this year (28 doubles), held his own in Double-A
Negatives: will never hit home runs, undersized for a pro
athlete (5’10”/160 wet and standing on a phone book)
ETA: 2014
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Wilfredo Tovar
Projection: Tovar does not look like a future Major Leaguer at
first glance, but he has produced at every level and is a superb shortstop. He
has to hit for a high average or he will never be a starter. The Venezuelan is
straight out of the mold of Ruben Tejada, literally identical.
Best Case Scenario: he hits like Tejada is in the Majors
MLB.com Ranks: #16 in system (#4 infielder)
Baseball America: Best Defensive Infielder in the System
John Vittas Rank: #48 overall
8. T.J. Rivera
Signed
as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2011 (Troy University)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton
Positives: off-the-charts numbers at every level so far, hits
much better with runners on base, decent power (42 extra-base hits)
Negatives: lacks any outstanding tools, not considered a prospect by most
ETA: 2015
T.J. Rivera
Projection: It’s really hard to project Rivera. He doesn’t
profile as a Major Leaguer so if he makes it, he’ll be a man who is defined by
beating the odds, which he’s been doing since he was passed up in every single
draft he was eligible for. There is no best and worst case scenarios for this guy, he
blew through his ceiling a long time ago. I wouldn’t bet against him, so that's why he makes my list.
Best Case Scenario: TBD
Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Ranking: #45 overall
7. Jayce Boyd
Florida
State University (6th Round of the 2012 Draft)
Bats:
Right Throws:
Right
Opening
Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Positives: plus defender, exceptional arm and good speed for a
first baseman, smooth swing, natural power to all fields, Major League body,
walks a ton, one of the best hitters of the decade in the ACC
Negatives: not enough power to be prototypical power-hitting
first baseman (20 HR in 727 college ABs), didn’t fair too well in his first pro
season (.239 average)
ETA: 2015
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Jayce Boyd
Projection: Boyd’s a guy who I am particularly high on. He tore
up one of the highest levels of college baseball for three straight years. He
stole 22 bases, slugged 78 extra-base-hits and drove in 160 runs in 198
collegiate games. And when you consider his .424 career OBP, the kid is a
consistent, well-rounded prospect. To me, he’s a sixth round steal and could be
an everyday Major League player one day.
Best Case Scenario: right-handed Adam LaRoche with a little less power
Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Rank: #34 overall
6. Dustin
Lawley
West Florida (19th Round of 2011 Draft)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Positives: no particular weakness, solid all-around player, run producer, hits a ton of doubles, good power, can play multiple positions, aggressive hitter, plays the game hard
Negatives: age, strikes out too much, could be more selective
ETA: 2015
Projection: Lawley was one of the most productive hitters in the organization in 2012, and earned that title while playing in a pitching-dominated league. He doesn’t get cheated at the plate, and has legitimate power to all fields. Dustin can play outfield, although his main position is third base, so he’ll have to keep developing his defensive skills elsewhere if he wants to be a Met one day. A couple of comparisons Mets fans should be somewhat familiar with who Lawley emulates: Zach Lutz at the plate, Collin Cowgill everywhere else
Best Case Scenario: power-hitting third corner outfielder
Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Rank: #31 overall
West Florida (19th Round of 2011 Draft)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Positives: no particular weakness, solid all-around player, run producer, hits a ton of doubles, good power, can play multiple positions, aggressive hitter, plays the game hard
Negatives: age, strikes out too much, could be more selective
ETA: 2015
Dustin Lawley
Projection: Lawley was one of the most productive hitters in the organization in 2012, and earned that title while playing in a pitching-dominated league. He doesn’t get cheated at the plate, and has legitimate power to all fields. Dustin can play outfield, although his main position is third base, so he’ll have to keep developing his defensive skills elsewhere if he wants to be a Met one day. A couple of comparisons Mets fans should be somewhat familiar with who Lawley emulates: Zach Lutz at the plate, Collin Cowgill everywhere else
Best Case Scenario: power-hitting third corner outfielder
Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Rank: #31 overall
5. Phillip Evans
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening
Day Age: 20
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Low-A Savannah
Positives: has every skill necessary to be a good SS, works
counts and walks a lot, good defender, short, compact swing, plays hard,
embraces the spotlight, ahead of the age clock
Negatives: power isn’t immense, needs to learn how to get out
of slumps, needs to hit the breaking ball better
ETA: 2015
Phillip Evans
Projection: Evans is one of those guys who just stands out on a
baseball field. Even though he’s small and doesn’t hit skyscraping bombs,
Phillip plays with an intensity and a swagger that makes people notice him.
He’s a line drive machine who definitely has Major League potential even
without plus speed or power.
Best Case Scenario: Elvis Andrus without the speed or a flashier Ruben
Tejada
MLB.com Ranks: #19 in system (#6 infielder)
Across the John Rank: #24 overall
4. Danny Muno
Fresno
State (8th Round of 2011 Draft)
Bats:
Switch Throws:
Right
Opening
Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton
Positives: never strikes out, walks at an incredible rate
(14.7%) can play multiple positions, very good athlete, has some pop
Negatives: suspended 50 games for failed PED test, struggled in
the Arizona Fall League
ETA: 2014
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Danny Muno
Projection: Muno is being groomed as a utility man, although I do
think he will be able to man an everyday position one day. He has hit on a
consistent basis after being drafted out of Fresno State. His athleticism should
help his defensive stock as he hits the upper levels.
Best Case Scenario: Marco Scutaro
Baseball America: Best Plate Discipline in System
Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Rank: #21 overall
3. Aderlin
Rodriguez
Signed
as an International free agent at 16 years old
Bats:
Right Throws: Right
Opening
Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Positives: most power of any Minor Leaguer, can be a 30-40 HR
guy in the Bigs, good arm, hit 51 XBH this year and drove in 83 runs, had his
best season in 2012
Negatives: very little range, has never hit for a high average,
takes a while to adjust to each level, doesn’t have a set position, blocked by
Davis and Wright
ETA: 2015
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Aderlin Rodriguez
Projection: With a tremendous bounce back season in 2012, Aderlin
Rodriguez is back on the map as a legitimate Major League prospect. His 24 home
runs and 83 RBIs lead all Minor Leaguers. He got his average up to a
respectable .263 as well, and sported a slugging percentage of .476. It took
Aderlin nearly two years to figure out the SAL, but he’s only 21 so there’s
still plenty of time for him to keep improving. For a team that desperately
needs power, this man is the most pure source they have outside of New York.
Best Case Scenario: Aramis Ramirez with less of an average
Not in any Major Rankings
Baseball America: Best Power Hitter in Organization
Baseball America: Best Infield Arm in the System
Across
the John Rank: #16 overall
2. Gavin
Cecchini
Barbe
H.S. (Lake Charles, LA) (1st Round, 12th overall in 2012
Draft)
Bats:
Right Throws: Right
Opening
Day Age: 19
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Short Season-A Brooklyn
Positives: great all-around shortstop beyond his years,
incredible athlete, great baseball mind/instincts, advanced hitting skills,
good arm and baserunning ability
Negatives: not one tool is super special, needs to develop more
power if he’s going to be a star
ETA: 2016
Gavin Cecchini
Projection: Cecchini is a teenager and still has a lot to prove, but
he has all the makings of a Major League shortstop. From playing on ESPN at 12
years old in the Little League World Series to having a brother who is a Red
Sox prospect, Gavin has the spotlight and pedigree questions answered already.
His humble attitude and raw ability adds up to a kid who has absolutely nothing
stopping him from being a starting infielder in the Big Leagues. It’s all
within his control.
Best Case Scenario: Erick Aybar with leadership capabilities
MLB.com Ranks: #6 prospect in system (#1 infielder)
Baseball Prospectus Ranks: #6 prospect in system (#2 infielder)
Baseball America: #2 prospect in system (#1 infielder)
Baseball America: Best Pure Hitter of the 2012 draft class
Across the John Rank: #8 overall
1. Wilmer
Flores
Signed
as an International free agent in 2007
Bats:
Right Throws:
Right
Opening
Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Triple-A Las Vegas
Positives: naturally powerful person, makes consistent contact,
good plate discipline, has developed legit power, .300 average with 50 XBH last
year, always stays healthy
Negatives: slow-footed, doesn’t have a position, average
defensively
ETA: late 2013 / early 2014
Wilmer Flores
Projection: Flores is a natural hitter who has rekindled his stock
in many prospect rankings after a strong 2012. With the Mets infield seemingly
set, it’s hard to picture Flores playing for the Mets this year. He’s probably
almost ready to contribute and can be an impact bat very soon, but he needs to
find a position first. My guess is they try him at second base and trade Daniel
Murphy next year if Flores performs in Las Vegas. Wilmer hits a lot of fly
balls, so it’s very possible that the thin PCL air sends his home run totals to
the moon. If an infielder gets hurt for the long-term, it’s very possible we
see the Venezuelan this season.
Best Case Scenario: poor man’s Miguel Cabrera
MLB.com Ranks: #7 in system (#2 infielder)
Baseball America: #6 in system (#2 infielder)
Baseball America: Best Hitter for Average in the System
Baseball Prospectus Ranks: #5 in system (#1 infielder)
Across the John Rankings: #5 overall
Honorable Mention: Eric Campbell (#57), Allan Dykstra (#64), Jeff Diehl (#73), Robbie Shields (#77)
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