5. Blake
Forsythe
Univ. of Tennessee (3rd
Round pick in 2010)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age:
23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton
Blake Forsythe
(tcpalm.com)
Positives: good
power, strong walk rate and OBP, above-average arm, making gradual progress at
each level, posted career-high average this year (.244), can be a run producer
Negatives: does
not hit for average (never hit above .250 in a season), strikes out a lot
ETA: 2015
Projection: Forsythe was a disappointment in his first two professional seasons after being drafted highly out of Tennessee. After getting his numbers up in 2012 at the High-A ball level, Blake is starting to prove his worth. He gets on base quite a bit and possesses some power, so if he can keep improving as an all-around hitter, he has a chance to crack the Major Leagues as a serviceable backup.
Best Case Scenario: power-hitting backup catcher (Kelly Shoppach/Rod Barajas)
Worst Case Scenario: doesn’t handle the upper levels and is dropped in 2014
Not in any Major Rankings
John Vittas Rank: #56 prospect in the system
4. Juan Centeno
34th Round pick in
2007 Draft out of Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Opening Day Age:
23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Triple-A Las Vegas
Juan Centeno
(pbase.com)
Positives:
very strong defensive catcher, good eye, most advanced of all catching
prospects not named d’Arnaud, high batting average at high level (AA), doesn’t
strike out much
Negatives:
did not hit a single HR in 2012, only 12 doubles (no power), not a big guy
(5’9”) so therefore little chance to generate any more power than he has now
ETA: 2014
Projection: Centeno
continues to hit for a high average, batting .285 at Double-A in 2012. That
ranks top-10 in the organization for full-season players. With good plate
discipline and a strong defensive skill set, Juan could prove to be a
serviceable backup in the Major Leagues, but needs to prove himself in Triple-A
first. If he fails to hit a single home run in Las Vegas, then we really have a
problem.
Best Case Scenario: Josh Thole with better defense
Worst Case Scenario: light-hitting third catcher
Not in any Major Rankings
John
Vittas Rank: #39 prospect in Mets system
3. Cam Maron
Hicksville High School
(Hicksville, NY) – 34th Round, 2009 Draft
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Opening Day Age:
22
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Cam Maron
(mets360.com)
Positives: breakout
season in 2012, batted .300 in a notorious pitchers’ league, tremendous walk
rate (13.4%) and OBP (.389), handled playing every day for a full season very well
in his first go-around, good arm, stays within himself, Mets fan from birth –
turned down college scholarships not because he was offered a healthy signing
bonus, but because he was picked by his favorite team
Negatives: still
needs to develop some power and prove he can hit at the upper levels
ETA: 2015
-2016
Projection: Maron
was one of the nicest surprises in the system in 2012, putting up good
offensive numbers on a team that lacked them. After three years in the Minors,
he knows what he needs to do to hit at each level. Cam began his pro career working
out with his childhood hero out on Long Island, Jose Reyes.
Best Case Scenario: Platoon MLB catcher with Josh Thole-like numbers
Worst Case Scenario: struggles against lefties and never sees Triple-A
Not in any Major Rankings
John Vittas Rank: #36 prospect in Mets system
2. Kevin
Plawecki
Purdue University (1st
Round Pick, 35th Overall – 2012)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Opening Day Age: 22
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Kevin Plawecki
(metsmerizedonline.com)
Positives: walked
more than he struck out, power to all fields, compact, fluid swing, soft hands,
good receiver and solid overall defensively, played at a high level in college,
calls a good game
Negatives: average
arm, very little pro experience to this point
ETA: 2015
Projection:
Plawecki is a very solid all-around catcher who doesn’t have any glaring
weakness. As long as he keeps hitting at every level, he has a clear path to
the Majors.
Best Case Scenario: Solid everyday MLB catcher (.280, 15 HRs, 40+ doubles with a good
walk rate)
Worst Case Scenario: he can’t hit the upper-levels and fizzles out in Double-A
MLB.com Ranks: #17 prospect in Mets system
John Vittas Rank: #13 prospect in Mets system
1. Travis
D’Arnaud
Lakewood H.S. (Lakewood, CA)
(Drafted by the Phillies in the 1st Round of the 2007 Draft)
Bats: Right Throws:
Right
Opening Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Triple-A Buffalo
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the fierce Travis d'Arnaud
(metsmerizedonline.net)
Positives: extremely
athletic, outstanding arm, silly power and still hits for an equally ridiculous
average, doesn’t let it get to his head, values the importance of being on the
same page with the pitching staff
Negatives:
one and only flaw – injuries, coming off of a knee injury from 2011 and has had
back problems before
ETA:
mid-to-late April 2013
Projection: Barring
further injuries, there’s no reason D’Arnaud can’t be a superstar. He has the
makings of one of baseball’s best. My only question is, will it come this year
or will it take him some time to find greatness. Besides, how many 24-year-olds
do you know that have been traded for two Cy Young-Award winners before they
can even sniff a Major League pitch? The word phenom fits here.
My guess is the Mets start
D’Arnaud in Vegas to appear prudent, but John Buck and Anthony Recker just
aren’t good enough reasons to keep their best bat 3,000 miles away, so they
call him up 3-4 weeks into the season.
Best-Case Scenario: the next Mike Piazza with a better glove and an actual arm
Worst-Case Scenario: power-hitting MLB backup (Kelly Shoppach)
MLB.com Ranks: #1 in system
#6 prospect in baseball (#1 catcher)
Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus Ranks: N/A (came out before the Dickey trade)
John
Vittas Rank: #2 prospect in Mets system
Honorable Mention: Francisco Pena (#63), Tomas Nido (#85)
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