Mets Prospect Stock Market & Minor League Update - April

by John Vittas

Another Minor League season is underway, and the four Mets full season teams are all sporting winning records. Here’s how the team’s prospects and farmhands faired in the month of April:

Prospect Status - Rising

Preseason No. 6 Brandon Nimmo (OF)

.389 / .517 / .576 (High-A St. Lucie)

The best story in the system so far, Nimmo is finally putting it all together. The 2011 first round pick is beginning to turn his plus tools into baseball dominance. He’s already picked up eight extra-base-hits and five stolen bases. It’s possible Nimmo will be in Double-A Binghamton by the end of the year, making a late 2015 arrival in Flushing somewhat feasible.

No. 5 Steven Matz (LHP)

4 starts, 2-1, 1.52 ERA, 0.93 WHIP (High-A St. Lucie)

The top pick in the 2009 draft, Matz’ long road of rehab has become so worth it. After showing promise in limited innings the past two years, Matz has finally reached the top half of the system and continued to succeed.

No. 20 Matthew Bowman (RHP)

3-0, 1.04 ERA, 0.98 WHIP (Double-A Binghamton)

The Princeton alum is building off a strong 2013 in the Florida State League by absolutely blowing away Double-A through three starts. With a Tim Lincecum-like delivery, the diminutive Marylander has emerged from the 2012 draft class as a legitimate prospect.

Prospect Status - Holding

No. 11 Dilson Herrera (2B)

.294 / .350 / .376 (High-A St. Lucie)

Added last year in the Buck-Byrd trade, the former Pirates farmhand has acquitted himself nicely in his first dose of High-A ball.

No. 3 Rafael Montero (RHP)

3-1, 4.31 ERA, 1.25 WHIP (AAA-Las Vegas)

While the ERA might not be pretty, the other numbers for Montero are solid, as he continues to pitch well in a hitting-friendly league. Allowing just 7.8 hits per nine so far, Montero is likely the next man up to the Mets’ rotation.

No. 19 Robert Gsellman (RHP)

4 starts, 1.48 ERA, 23 Ks, 6 BBs (A Savannah)

After posting a 2.38 ERA at three levels of A-ball as a 19-year-old, Gsellman settled down in Savannah and is doing what he does best: throw strikes. He's extremely young but has the makings of a Big League starter.

Prospect Status - Falling

No. 2 Cesar Puello (OF)

.244 / .271 / .293

The Biogenesis argument against Puello is winning out. After getting busted in the midst of a career year in 2013, Puello has shown no power at all in 2014. While the tools are there, Puello can no longer be considered a top-level prospect.

No. 14 Michael Fulmer (RHP)

30 hits allowed in 18 IP, 8.00 ERA through 4 starts (High-A St. Lucie)

After meniscus surgery cost Fulmer much of 2013, the Oklahoma native has gotten rocked early this year.

No. 9 Jayce Boyd (1B)

.182 / .270 / .258 (Double-A Binghamton)

After putting together a monster 2013, Boyd has floundered thus far in Double-A. With Allan Dykstra, Eric Campbell and Matt Clark all hitting well in front of him, Boyd will likely be stuck in Binghamton for a while.

Resurrecting their Prospect Status

INF Matt Reynolds .373 / .455 / .440 (AA Binghamton)

After two years of Minor League struggles, the former Arkansas Razorback captain is hitting for the first time at the Double-A level. Reynolds is athletic and can play several positions, profiling as a utility infielder at the Major League level.

OF Stefan Sabol .254 / .376 / .493 (A Savannah)

After hitting .203 last year, Sabol’s second year in Savannah has been far more productive. He’s driven in 21 runs in 21 games, and his raw power is beginning to show.

SS Phillip Evans .310 / .356 / .405 (A Savannah)

Like Sabol, Evans had a dreadful year during his first dose of full-season ball in 2013, but the California shortstop is off to a hot start. He’s showing some pop as he becomes a possible safety blanket if Gavin Cecchini doesn’t pan out. 

Top Ten Offensive Performers

1.  Allan Dykstra, 1B, Triple-A Las Vegas

2. Brandon Nimmo, OF, High-A St. Lucie

3. TJ Rivera, INF, High-A St. Lucie

4. Eric  Campbell, UTL, Triple-A Las Vegas

5. Jeff McNeil, INF, Single-A Savannah

6. Matt Clark, 1B, Double-A Binghamton

7. Zach Lutz, 3B, Triple-A Las Vegas

8. Matt Reynolds, SS, Double-A Binghamton

9. Jared King, OF, Single-A Savannah

10. Taylor Teagarden, C, Triple-A Las Vegas

Top Five Starting Pitchers

1. Matthew Bowman, RHP, Double-A Binghamton

2. Steven Matz, LHP, High-A St. Lucie

3. Jacob DeGrom, RHP, Triple-A Las Vegas

4. Hansel Robles, RHP, Double-A Binghamton

5. Darin Gorski, LHP, Double-A Binghamton

Top Five Relievers
1. Akeel Morris, RHP, Single-A Savannah

2. Joel Carreno, RHP, Triple-A Las Vegas

3. Robert Coles, RHP, Single-A Savannah

4. Dario Alvarez, LHP, Single-A Savannah
5. Paul Sewald, RHP, High-A St. Lucie