Mets Prospect Countdown: No. 21-30

by John Vittas (@JohnVittas3)

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

Watch: Cory Mazzoni - SNY Mets Minor League Report

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

Top Ten Disappointments of the 2013 Mets

by John Vittas

1. Matt Harvey’s Torn UCL

This was an absolute tragedy. It can only lead you to believe that the organization is cursed. Harvey represented everything that was “right” about the Mets. He signified the attitude, the skill set and the method for future success. And it all came crashing down at that August 26th press conference.

Harvey burned two months in ignorant denial, sealing the fate of his 2014 season. Beyond the fact that the Mets will be 6-8 games worse because of his absence, it’s disappointing purely because it will be another 17 months before we get to see him dazzling hitters again. Get well soon, Matthew.

Image: AP / sportingnews.com

The Fallout

2. Ike Davis

Ike has Regressed, with a capital R. His first half struggles have become a constant. His once-promising bat is now a liability. His .468 August OBP might keep him on the 2014 roster, but Ike has flaws in his swing that need to be corrected.

His confidence needs to be resurrected and he’d be well-served to learn how to hit a breaking ball on the outer half of the plate. Unless he shows signs of a true Major League slugger in Spring Training, the Mets might be headed in another direction at first base.

3. David Wright’s Hamstring Pull

After signing his big 10-year deal, David Wright did exactly what he was paid to do. As the Mets entered the rebuilding stage of 2013, calling up their young prospects in August and September, it was Wright who was counted on to mentor them into Big Leaguers. But when he came up lame on August 2nd against Kansas City, the Mets lost their leader, essentially ending their season.

Still a presence in the clubhouse, Wright did what he could to help the youngsters from the bench, and even made it back to play seven games in September, but there’s no denying that his hamstring injury derailed his first season as the captain, leaving late-season Mets games anything but intriguing.

Image: Jay Jaffe (mlb.si.com)

4. Ruben Tejada

The kid appears to have hit his athletic peak at 21 years old, because the past two years have been a consistent free fall. He’s drawn the ire of his head coach and general manager with a lackluster work ethic. With three years remaining on his Mets’ clock, it’s curious as to whether Tejada will be dropped, traded or buried in Triple-A.

Speaking of Triple-A, Tejada ended up in Vegas this summer to rehab, and ended up being stuck there for 57 games (not sure if you can get “stuck” in Vegas). At the Major League level, his average dropped over 80 points and he looked incredibly benign at the plate. On top of it all, his sure-handed defense took a hit as well.

5. The Lackluster Debuts of Travis d’Arnaud and Wilmer Flores

Considering these two were the top position-player prospects in the system, a combined .206 average is not exactly what the Mets were looking for upon their arrival. Phenoms are supposed to look overzealous, not overmatched. And both d’Arnaud and Flores appeared lost at the plate at times in September.

d’Arnaud isn’t going anywhere, he’s going to have to figure it out - it’s that simple. On the other hand, the Mets have to make some serious judgements on Flores this winter.

6. The Demise of Jordany Valdespin

Valdespin may have been the most gifted athlete on the Opening Day roster, but he may be unemployed very soon. ‘Demise’ is definitely the right word. ‘Fall from grace’ is another. JV went from being one of the most exciting bench players in baseball in 2012 to an absolute pathogen in 2013.

A consistent pusher of the rules, Valdespin made up for it with offensive pazazz. But when he failed miserably on the field for the first time, his presence became a detriment. Tack on the 50-game drug suspension, and I’d be shocked to see Valdespin in Flushing ever again.

Let's Try to Remember This Valdespin

7. Bullpen Prospect Injuries: Josh Edgin and Jeurys Familia

As inconsistent as the Mets’ aging bullpen was in 2013, Josh Edgin and Jeurys Familia had two of the most promising arms coming into the year: Familia a highly touted prospect, and Edgin a southpaw 30th round steal. Both can chuck it in the mid-90s, but both had their seasons halted due to injury, forcing Collins to squeeze more out of guys like Scott Atchison, Scott Rice and LaTroy Hawkins. Personally, I would've rather seen Edgin and Familia.

8. Shaun Marcum

Shaun Marcum failed to be the Zack Wheeler placeholder he was supposed to be. 10 losses in 12 starts...ouch. His 5.29 ERA was better than 1.40 points higher than his career mark. It’s a shame too, because Marcum would have gotten plenty of late-season innings had he been effective.

9. Veteran Relievers (Aardsma, Atchison, Lyon, Feliciano, Byrdak)

With the exception of LaTroy Hawkins, none of the Mets’ veteran relievers were able to reinvent themselves and be high-leverage stoppers. Headlining the list, Brandon Lyon. The 10-year vet gave up 43 hits in 34 innings and couldn’t even make it to the All Star break.

10. Frank Francisco

Francisco must’ve had a thing for Port St. Lucie, because he had no desire to leave. And Terry Collins had no problem hiding him there. The guy who was meant to be New York’s closer wound up “rehabbing” a sore arm for five months, finally making it to the diamond just in time for the meaningless September slogs. Add him to the list of bad contracts, safe to say that $12 million went to waste.

Photo: Getty Images, zimbio.com