40. OF Darrell Ceciliani
39. RHP Luis Cessa
38. RHP Cameron Griffin
37. SS Jeff McNeil
36. OF Joe Tuschak
35. 1B Matt Oberste
34. RHP Hansel Robles
33. RHP Akeel Morris
32. OF Champ Stuart
31. OF Ivan Wilson
To read John's breakdown of Prospects No. 31-40, click here.
30. RAINY LARA - RHP
Bani, Dominican Republic - signed as International free agent
Opening Day Age: 23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
General Numbers: 26 walks in 129.2 IPs, 1.42 ERA in 8 SAL starts
Relevant Numbers: K/9 dropped from 9 to 6.1 when he jumped levels
Positives: Rainy led the Minor Leagues in ERA for much of 2013 and was downright dominant in A-ball this year. His fastball has late, arm-side run at 90-92 which helps him miss the barrel of the bat. He throws strikes and disguises his changeup well. At 6-4, there’s still some projectability here.
Negatives: Lara’s motion isn’t pretty and a bit stiff. He’s primarily fastball/changeup. He’s gotten outs with his slider but it isn’t going to fool many Big Leaguers. His ERA jumped from 1.42 to 3.76 upon his promotion to the FSL so unless he can develop a bigger breaking ball, expect him to become more hittable as he ascends through the system. He projects as a strike-throwing long reliever.
Style: Sidney Ponson
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 23
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 9
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
29. LUIS MATEO - RHP
Nizao, Dominican Republic - signed as free agent
Opening Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Rehab
General Numbers: 57 hits allowed in 73 IPs in Brooklyn in 2012
Positives: Mateo has been ranked as high as the No. 4 prospect in the system. He lives in the mid-90s with a slider that was unanimously tabbed as the “Best in the System” in 2012.
Negatives: Luis barely pitched in 2013 and was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in May. He’s 23 years old and has yet to pitch 150 Minor League innings, which is a major issue. Assuming he won’t pitch until mid-season, this most recent setback could seal Mateo’s fate as a reliever. If he’s not effective this season, it could be the end of the line for the talented Dominican.
Style: Edinson Volquez
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 18
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 40
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: 15
28. DUSTIN LAWLEY - OF
University of West Florida - 19th Round of the 2011 Draft
Opening Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton
General Numbers: 26 HRs, 96 RBIs in 128 games (mostly High-A St. Lucie)
Relevant Numbers: .513 SLG with a .481 career mark (guy’s got pop)
Positives: It might be time to start taking Dustin Lawley seriously. He led all Mets prospects in home runs, extra-base hits and total bases this season. His numbers were flat out eye-popping and Lawley’s late-season promotion to Triple-A shows that the Mets’ executives are going to give him a shot.
Negatives: Age, age and age. Lawley is a 24-year old A-ball hitter. Doubters will attribute his 2013 success to his advanced age. He has a hitch in his swing and too much wasted motion in his lower body. Clearly, this hasn’t been a problem for Dustin thus far.
Style: Chris Johnson
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 31
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 26
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
27. ADERLIN RODRIGUEZ - 3B
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - signed as International free agent
Opening Day Age: 22
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
General Numbers: only walked 11 times in 62 games (High-A St. Lucie)
Relevant Numbers: second straight year with an average above .260 (batted .221 in 2011)
Positives: Rodriguez hit for power with St. Lucie (.167 IsoSLG) this year and generates big-time bat speed. Many say he has the most raw power in the Mets system. He’s also slimmed down which has helped him defensively (now listed at 210 lbs).
Negatives: A-Rod missed the whole second half of the season due to injury, and in effect, probably still has more to prove at the A-ball level. His slow development has put him behind the 8-ball in terms of age, and a .194 average in the Arizona Fall League won’t help his prospect status, either. The other issue is he plays third base and will have to learn a new position if he ever sniffs the Major Leagues.
Style: Adrian Beltre without the high average
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 16
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 28
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
26. JARED KING - OF
Kansas State University - Fifth Round of the 2013 Draft
Opening Day Age: 22
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
General Numbers: 1.030 OPS at K-State this year
Relevant Numbers: 21 SB and 42 XBH in 119 games in 2013
Positives: King was a premium NCAA hitter, and will benefit greatly from leaving early. After a good showing in his first dose of pro ball, Jared could skip ahead to St. Lucie in 2014. He’s a switch hitter with solid all-around tools. His swing from both sides is nearly flawless, displaying good balance and rhythym. Keep an eye on King as a potential break-out guy in 2014.
Negatives: Despite being a respectable defensive outfielder, King doesn’t have one position that he excels at. He’s athletic enough to play some center, but projects better as a left fielder due to a sub-par arm.
Style: Nick Swisher
Across the John Preseason Top 100: Not in System
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 32
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
25. MILLER DIAZ - RHP
Caracas, Venezuela - Signed as International Free Agent
Opening Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: A-ball Savannah
General Numbers: 2.03 ERA over 12 starts, 44 hits allowed in 66 innings (A Brooklyn)
Relevant Numbers: 11.75 K/9 - No. 1 of all starting pitching prospects
Positives: Diaz has gradually been able to turn his gifted arm into a strikeout machine over his four years of pro ball. Turning in his best season of his career in 2013, Diaz led all starting pitching prospects in both H/9 (5.9) and K/9 (11.75). His fastball is consistently in the mid-90s, and he personally told me he touched 98 this summer. All of his offerings are swing-and-miss caliber pitches,with the fastball being the moneymaker.
Negatives: Per the status quo for guys like Diaz, he needs more consistent command with all pitches and should continue to refine his off-speed pitches. Scouts say his breaking ball is a little too loopy and his changeup is recognizable. If he knocks out those kinks, Diaz can be an impact Major League arm.
Comparison: Edward Mujica?
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 40
ATJ Midseason Top 50: Not Ranked
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
24. JOHN GANT - RHP
Wiregrass Ranch HS (FL) - 21st Round of the 2011 Draft
Opening Day Age: 21
Projected Opening Day Assignment: A-ball Savannah
General Numbers: .206 opponent average; allowed only 51 hits in 73 innings
Relevant Numbers: 1 of 2 pitchers of the NYPL to eclipse 80 Ks this season
Positives: After two years of grooming, the Mets have made John Gant into a dominant professional pitcher. They paid overslot to yank him away from his LIU Brooklyn commitment, and have turned his potential into reality. The sky is the limit for Gant, as his wiry 6-3 frame gives him all sorts of advantages on the mound.
Negatives: His offspeed pitches were rated as average-at-best by many scouts when Gant was drafted. Considering he’s not terribly overpowering, it’s pretty clear he’s improved his curve and change.
Style: Bronson Arroyo?
Across the John Preseason Top 100: 99
ATJ Midseason Top 50: Not Ranked
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
23. LJ MAZZILLI - 2B
Univ. of Connecticut - 4th Round of the 2013 Draft
Opening Day Age: 23
Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie
Basic Numbers: .970 career OPS at UConn with 101 XBH and 60 SBs in 212 games
Relevant Numbers: led the Cyclones in AVG and RBIs in 2013
Positives: The younger Mazzilli was the Big East Player of the Year after a .354 season. The kid can flat out hit. All he’s ever done is put up numbers and be a leader. He has surprising speed and is polished at the plate. He should have no problem handling A-ball and is on the fast-track to the upper levels.
Negatives: Some say his ceiling is low and he’s not athletic enough to be a Major League middle infielder. But if he hits, he’ll be there.
Style: Ian Kinsler
Across the John Preseason Top 100: Not in System
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 46
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
A little local news piece on LJ
22. CORY MAZZONI - RHP
North Carolina State University - 2nd Round of the 2011 Draft
Opening Day Age: 24
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Triple-A Las Vegas
Basic Numbers: 4.36 ERA over 12 Double-A starts; 70 hits allowed in 66 innings
Relevant Numbers: K-rate went from 6.5 in 2012 to 10.1 this year
Positives: Mazzoni has mid-90s heat and a reliable slider-splitter combo that could make him an excellent late-innings reliever. He throws strikes, having only walked only 14 batters in 66 innings.
Negatives: He battled injuries throughout 2013 and was only able to make 12 starts. It’s looking less and less likely that the NC State grad will be a Major League starter. Opponents hit .275 off him this year in the pitching-friendly Eastern League. It stands to reason that his arsenal might be more effective in relief.
Style: Brian Wilson (just the pitching)
Across the John Preseason Top 200: 22
ATJ Midseason Top 50: 27
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: 12
21. TYLER BASHLOR - RHP
South Georgia College - 11th Round of the 2013 Draft
Opening Day Age: 20
Projected Opening Day Assignment: Short-Season A Brooklyn
Relevant Numbers: 18 strikeouts in under 16 pro innings, but he walked 12 (R Kingsport)
Positives: Bashlor has a very live arm and has touched 96. When you factor in his sharp slider and unflappable mound presence, the Georgia native could be headed to a Big League bullpen some time down the road. If he continues to develop his curveball, there’s no telling how good he can be.
Negatives: Like most young fireballers, Bashlor needs to improve his control. Unfortunately, the only way he’s been able to do that is by taking mph’s off his heater. He's at least three years away.
Comparison: Jenrry Mejia
Across the John Preseason Top 100: Not in System
ATJ Midseason Top 50: Not Ranked
Jonathan Mayo Top 20: Not Ranked
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