Pre-Season Rankings
2013 Midseason Rankings
2013 Preseason Rankings
1. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
The final member of the Mets’ Big Three of frontline starters struggled in the PCL in 2014. He did show some flashes, turning in some dominant efforts and picked up the save in the Futures Game. He still projects as an ace, but will need to get more consistent, especially with his fastball command. Expect him to crack the Mets’ competitive rotation at some point in 2015.
2. Brandon Nimmo, OF
Nimmo began to put it all together in 2014, turning in career highs with a .286 average and nine home runs. He walks at an ungodly rate which makes up for his high strikeout totals. If nothing else, Brandon will be a high character left fielder who gets on base and shows some power in the Bigs. If he can continue to shorten his swing and raise his average, Nimmo could be a perennial All Star and Citi Field favorite.
3. Kevin Plawecki, C
Plawecki has been a quick riser and could debut soon. Many wrote him off for trade bait, with Travis d’Arnaud entrenched as the catcher of the future. But Plawecki’s remarkable bat control, strong skills behind the plate and knack for hitting can make him a long-time Big Leaguer. There’s no reason he can’t team up with d’Arnaud as one of the best catching combos in the game.
4. Dominic Smith, 1B
Smith was pushed by the Mets and placed to a full season assignment at 18 years old and answered the call nicely. The California native batted .285, stayed healthy and is now well ahead of schedule. He was called the best pure hitter of the 2013 draft class and his smooth swing could make him a dynamic bat at the Major League level. He’s not the most athletic, but his hands and instincts make up for it.
5. Michael Conforto, OF
Conforto was probably the most advanced bat in the 2014 draft class and could be in New York within two years. He provides major offensive firepower but some question his ability to hit for average and play defense in the Majors.
6. Dilson Herrera, 2B
Herrera was the most productive bat in the Mets’ system this year, batting .319 with 43 extra-base hits at the higher levels of the Minors. At just 21 years old, Herrera should now be viewed as a serious prospect.
7. Amed Rosario, SS
Supremely talented, Rosario turned his plus tools into success in 2014, batting .288 in Brooklyn at just 18 years old. He’s at least three years away, but Rosario could be the superstar shortstop the Mets have lacked since Jose Reyes.
8. Rafael Montero, RHP
Montero cracked the Bigs in 2014, and will get a chance to audition for the 2015 rotation in August and September. The stuff is Big League adequate, and his command can make him stick long-term.
9. Steven Matz, LHP
Matz had a fantastic 2014 campaign, reaching Double-A and posting a 2.33 ERA over 21 starts. But most importantly, he stayed healthy after missing two years with arm injuries. The New Yorker has the makings of a legit Big League starter, with good movement on his 90-plus fastball, and a reliable curveball and changeup.
10. Matt Reynolds, INF
Reynolds was the surprise of 2014. A career .235 professional hitter, the former second round pick and captain at Arkansas batted an eye-popping .347 between Binghamton and Las Vegas in 2014. He’ll have to compete with Eric Campbell, Danny Muno, Ruben Tejada and Josh Satin to be the Mets’ utility infielder of the future, but Reynolds’ youth should give him an edge.
11. Marcos Molina, RHP
Still a few years away, Molina was downright dominant in Brooklyn in 2014. He’s athletic, throws 95 and already has a plus changeup.
12. Cesar Puello, OF
Puello was the disappointment of the system in 2014, but still has five plus tools. Biogenesis doubts are swirling to say the least. He might not ever be the same without the drugs.
13. Miller Diaz, RHP
Diaz has been the system since he was 17 years old, but it appears he has finally put it together at 22. His fastball has never been in question (mid-90s), but the development of his off-speed stuff will determine where he winds up.
14. Domingo Tapia, RHP
It’s puzzling that Tapia has been unable to graduate A-ball, because his mid-90s heater and changeup/slider combo should be dominant. A conversion to the bullpen may be in order.
15. Gabriel Ynoa, RHP
The master of control, Ynoa walks almost no one. His low-90s heater and plus changeup keeps hitters off balanced. Ynoa appears to be on the Rafael Montero fast track thanks to his exquisite command.
16. Matt Bowman, RHP
The Princeton alum has held up despite his diminutive frame and Tim Lincecum-like delivery. His stuff is good enough, but Triple-A will be a big hurdle.
17. Jayce Boyd, 1B
Boyd got off to a slow start in 2014, delaying his inevitable Big League debut. He should start 2015 in Las Vegas, but the emergence of Lucas Duda make his future in the system unclear.
18. Champ Stuart, OF
Stuart has blinding speed and the potential to steal 50 bases each and every year. The good news is that he hit much more than anyone expected in 2014, raising his status greatly.
19. Jeff McNeil, INF
McNeil is a hitting machine with a quick bat and thin but athletic build. If he continues to hit, he could be a good utility infielder in the Majors.
20. Gavin Cecchini, SS
Cecchini has proven to be a slow developer, and the concerns about him are warranted. His more upright stance should help him delve into whatever power potential he has, and his defense has never been in question. It’s just a matter of whether he hits.
21. Jack Leathersich, LHP
22. John Gant, RHP
23. Robert Whalen, RHP
24. LJ Mazzilli, 2B
25. Akeel Morris, RHP
26. Cam Maron, C
27. Robert Gsellman, RHP
27. Robert Gsellman, RHP
28. Matt Koch, RHP
29. Cory Mazzoni, RHP
30. Kevin McGowan, RHP
31. Aderlin Rodriguez, INF
32. Cory Vaughn, OF
33. Travis Taijeron, OF
34. Michael Fulmer, RHP
35. Michael Katz, OF
36. Matt Oberste, 1B
37. Greg Peavey, RHP
38. Chris Flexen, RHP
39. Brad Wieck, LHP
40. Jared King, OF
41. Milton Ramos, SS
42. Josh Prevost, RHP
43. Paul Sewald, RHP
44. Corey Oswalt, RHP
45. Casey Meisner, RHP
46. Logan Taylor, RHP
47. Eudor Garcia, 3B
48. Kyle Johnson, OF
49. Tyler Moore, C
50. Dustin Lawley, OF
51. Luis Guillorme, SS
52. Kevin Secrest, LHP
53. Wuilmer Becerra, OF
54. Logan Verrett, RHP
55. Phillip Evans, INF
56. Maikis De La Cruz, OF
57. Rainy Lara, RHP
58. Gaither Bumgardner, RHP
59. Ricky Knapp, RHP
60. Xorge Carillo, C
61. Vicente Lupo, OF
62. Dash Winningham, 1B
63. Victor Cruzado, OF
64. Jhoan Urena, INF
65. Juan Centeno, C
66. Luis Cessa, RHP
67. Tyler Pill, RHP
68. Octavio Acosta, RHP
