Mets Prospect Countdown: No. 11-15

by John Vittas

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
30. RHP Rainy Lara
29. RHP Luis Mateo
28. OF Dustin Lawley
27. 3B Aderlin Rodriguez
26. OF Jared King
25. RHP Miller Diaz
24. RHP John Gant
23. 2B LJ Mazzilli
22. RHP Cory Mazzoni
21. RHP Tyler Bashlor
20. RHP Matt Bowman
19. RHP Robert Gsellman
18. OF Cory Vaughn
17. LHP Jack Leathersich
16. RHP Rob Whalen

15. CHRIS FLEXEN - RHP

Memorial HS (CA) - 14th Round of the 2012 Draft

Opening Day Age: 19

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Low-A Savannah

General Numbers: 8-1 record, best in the system (R-Kingsport)

Relevant Numbers: 2.09 ERA as a starter in the Minors at 18 years of age

Positives: Flexen was the Appalachian League Player of the Year at the devilishly young age of 18. He won eight of his last nine outings, giving up just 16 earned runs over 11 starts. Matching his success is his untapped potential. He’s 6-3 and already has two legitimate breaking balls to go with a 90-plus fastball. The sky is the limit for Flexen, as he and Rob Whalen could shoot up the prospect boards in 2014. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. And don’t forget that I was the first to put him in the top-15.

Negatives: Honestly, there are none.

Style: none yet

Across the John Preseason Rank: 50

ATJ Midseason Rank: Not in the Top 50

Jonathan Mayo Rank: Not Ranked

FanGraphs Top 15: Not Ranked

Baseball America Top 10: Not Ranked

Photo: metsmerizedonline.com

14. MICHAEL FULMER - RHP

Deer Creek HS (OK) - 1st Round of the 2011 Draft

Opening Day Age: 21

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

Basic Numbers: only 33 hits allowed in 46 innings (High-A St. Lucie)

Relevant Numbers: .191 opponent average vs. righties

Positives: Fulmer continues to be effective at the A-ball level, a byproduct of his advanced three-pitch mix. He should sniff Double-A in 2014, which should be an interesting challenge for the Oklahoma native. Fulmer has a Major League makeup, and the mental toughness to overcome the adversity a young pitcher might face at the highest level. He should be a reliable, strike-throwing mid-rotation starter if it all works out.

Negatives: 2013 was mainly a waste for Fulmer, who missed more than half the season with a meniscus injury that he suffered in Spring Training. Michael is a power pitcher, but will need to vary his velocities more to get strikeouts at the upper levels.

Style: Lance Lynn

Across the John Preseason Rank: 12

ATJ Midseason Rank: 12

Jonathan Mayo Rank: 13

FanGraphs Rank: 12

Baseball America Top 10: Not Ranked

13. GABRIEL YNOA - RHP

La Vega, Dominican Republic - Signed as International free agent

Opening Day Age: 20

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

General Numbers: 16 walks in 135 innings (A-ball Savannah)

Relevant Numbers: 340 career Minor League innings with a WHIP of 1.00

Positives: One of 2013’s big risers, Ynoa continued to throw strikes and pitch deep into games. But that wasn’t all. He posted a 2.72 ERA as a 19-year-old in full season A-ball. Not many players have completed four professional seasons by the age of twenty, but Gabriel has. His best pitch is his changeup, and his command is elite. If he can get his slider or curveball to become Big League average, Ynoa will be a major prospect pretty soon.

Negatives: Ynoa isn’t considered a high-ceiling guy. With his fastball now consistently over 90 mph, he can be considered a safe middle-of-the-rotation prospect.

Motion: Jhoulys Chacin / Mike Leake

Repertoire : Dillon Gee

Across the John Preseason Rank: 29

ATJ Midseason Rank: 20

Jonathan Mayo Rank: 18

FanGraphs Top 15: Not Ranked

Baseball America Top 10: Not Ranked

12. GAVIN CECCHINI - SS

Alfred Barbe HS (LA) - First Round of the 2012 Draft (12th Overall)

Opening Day Age: 20

Projected Opening Day Assignment: A-ball Savannah

General Numbers: .633 OPS (A-ball Brooklyn)

Relevant Numbers: only 8 extra base hits (all doubles) in 51 games

Positives: Gavin is still young and has the potential to be a Big League shortstop for a long time. Scouts rave about his defensive ability and leadership qualities. His bat has yet to come around, but Cecchini will fight off pitches and put the ball in play more than most.

Negatives: You start to worry when people say his biggest strengths are his “instincts” and “work ethic.” Granted, those are important for any player, especially a middle infielder, but Cecchini doesn’t have an obvious plus tool (maybe his defense). He’s a solid player, but his development has been slow thus far, and the power is still nowhere to be found. It’s too early to judge, but there might have been more high-risk, high-reward options at the number twelve spot in the draft back in 2012. I might be the first person to drop him from the Top-10.

Across the John Preseason Rank: 8

ATJ Midseason Rank: 16

Jonathan Mayo Rank: 8

FanGraphs Ranks: 9

Baseball America Rank: 9

11. DILSON HERRERA - MIF

Cartagena, Colombia - Signed as International free agent

Opening Day Age: 19

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

General Numbers: 41 XBH in 116 games (A-ball West Virginia - PIT org.)

Relevant Numbers: .750 OPS as an 18-year old in A-ball

Positives: Herrera is already ahead of the curve, having batting .267 with speed and power as a teenager in a pitching-dominated league. Acquired late in 2013 in the Marlon Byrd trade, Herrera projects as a second baseman, despite having played shortstop for much of his professional career. Despite his small frame (5-10, 150), he has surprising power and could be a Major League starter within 2-3 years.

Negatives: He lacks overwhelming skills defensively and won’t be able to cut it at the position the Mets are lacking most, shortstop. I suppose his size is a negative, too.

Style: Howie Kendrick

Across the John Preseason Rank: Not in system

ATJ Midseason Rank: Not in system

Jonathan Mayo Rank: 9

FanGraphs Rank: 11

Top 10 Mets Infield Prospects

by John Vittas

10. Matt Reynolds

Univ. of Arkansas (2^nd Round of the 2012 Draft)

Bats: Right                                           Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 22

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

Positives: very versatile infielder, decent speed and solid in the field, a natural line-drive hitter, compact, short stroke, good plate discipline, hits well with runners on base, athletic, has leadership qualities

Negatives: only average power, lacking a position: not enough for corner infield spot, may not be good enough defensively to be a Major League shortstop

ETA: 2015

Matt Reynolds

Projection: Reynolds is described as a high floor, low ceiling kind of player. Therefore, the Tulsa native projects as a utility infielder if he reaches the highest level. He was a captain at Arkansas and is the high-character leader you want in a locker room.

Best-Case Scenario: reliable, utility infielder (Ryan Theriot type)

MLB.com Ranks: #18 in system (#5 infielder)

Baseball America: Best Pure Hitter of the Draft Class

Across the John Rank: #52 overall

9. Wilfredo Tovar

Signed as an International Free Agent in 2007 (Venezuela)

Bats: Right                               Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 21

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton

Positives: excellent defender, good arm, rarely strikes out (8.6%), had enough power this year (28 doubles), held his own in Double-A

Negatives: will never hit home runs, undersized for a pro athlete (5’10”/160 wet and standing on a phone book)

ETA: 2014

Wilfredo Tovar

Projection: Tovar does not look like a future Major Leaguer at first glance, but he has produced at every level and is a superb shortstop. He has to hit for a high average or he will never be a starter. The Venezuelan is straight out of the mold of Ruben Tejada, literally identical.

Best Case Scenario: he hits like Tejada is in the Majors

MLB.com Ranks: #16 in system (#4 infielder)

Baseball America: Best Defensive Infielder in the System

John Vittas Rank: #48 overall

8. T.J. Rivera

Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2011 (Troy University)

Bats: Right                                           Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 24

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton

Positives: off-the-charts numbers at every level so far, hits much better with runners on base, decent power (42 extra-base hits)

Negatives: lacks any outstanding tools, not considered a prospect by most

ETA: 2015

T.J. Rivera

Projection: It’s really hard to project Rivera. He doesn’t profile as a Major Leaguer so if he makes it, he’ll be a man who is defined by beating the odds, which he’s been doing since he was passed up in every single draft he was eligible for. There is no best and worst case scenarios for this guy, he blew through his ceiling a long time ago. I wouldn’t bet against him, so that's why he makes my list.

Best Case Scenario: TBD

Not in any Major Rankings

Across the John Ranking: #45 overall

7. Jayce Boyd

Florida State University (6^th Round of the 2012 Draft)

Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 21

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

Positives: plus defender, exceptional arm and good speed for a first baseman, smooth swing, natural power to all fields, Major League body, walks a ton, one of the best hitters of the decade in the ACC

Negatives: not enough power to be prototypical power-hitting first baseman (20 HR in 727 college ABs), didn’t fair too well in his first pro season (.239 average)

ETA: 2015

Jayce Boyd

Projection: Boyd’s a guy who I am particularly high on. He tore up one of the highest levels of college baseball for three straight years. He stole 22 bases, slugged 78 extra-base-hits and drove in 160 runs in 198 collegiate games. And when you consider his .424 career OBP, the kid is a consistent, well-rounded prospect. To me, he’s a sixth round steal and could be an everyday Major League player one day.

Best Case Scenario: right-handed Adam LaRoche with a little less power

Not in any Major Rankings

Across the John Rank: #34 overall

6.    Dustin Lawley

West Florida (19^th Round of 2011 Draft)

Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 23

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

Positives: no particular weakness, solid all-around player, run producer, hits a ton of doubles, good power, can play multiple positions, aggressive hitter, plays the game hard

Negatives: age, strikes out too much, could be more selective

ETA: 2015

Dustin Lawley

Projection: Lawley was one of the most productive hitters in the organization in 2012, and earned that title while playing in a pitching-dominated league. He doesn’t get cheated at the plate, and has legitimate power to all fields. Dustin can play outfield, although his main position is third base, so he’ll have to keep developing his defensive skills elsewhere if he wants to be a Met one day. A couple of comparisons Mets fans should be somewhat familiar with who Lawley emulates: Zach Lutz at the plate, Collin Cowgill everywhere else
Best Case Scenario: power-hitting third corner outfielder

Not in any Major Rankings
Across the John Rank: #31 overall

    5. Phillip Evans

La Costa Canyon H.S. (Carlsbad, CA) (15^th Round of 2011 Draft)

     
     Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

     Opening Day Age: 20

    Projected Opening Day Assignment: Low-A Savannah

    Positives: has every skill necessary to be a good SS, works counts and walks a lot, good defender, short, compact swing, plays hard, embraces the spotlight, ahead of the age clock

    Negatives: power isn’t immense, needs to learn how to get out of slumps, needs to hit the breaking ball better

    ETA: 2015

Phillip Evans

    Projection: Evans is one of those guys who just stands out on a baseball field. Even though he’s small and doesn’t hit skyscraping bombs, Phillip plays with an intensity and a swagger that makes people notice him. He’s a line drive machine who definitely has Major League potential even without plus speed or power.

    Best Case Scenario: Elvis Andrus without the speed or a flashier Ruben Tejada

    MLB.com Ranks: #19 in system (#6 infielder)

    Across the John Rank: #24 overall

     4.    Danny Muno

Fresno State (8^th Round of 2011 Draft)

Bats: Switch                                         Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 24

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Double-A Binghamton

Positives: never strikes out, walks at an incredible rate (14.7%) can play multiple positions, very good athlete, has some pop

Negatives: suspended 50 games for failed PED test, struggled in the Arizona Fall League

ETA: 2014

Danny Muno

Projection: Muno is being groomed as a utility man, although I do think he will be able to man an everyday position one day. He has hit on a consistent basis after being drafted out of Fresno State. His athleticism should help his defensive stock as he hits the upper levels.

Best Case Scenario: Marco Scutaro

Baseball America: Best Plate Discipline in System

Not in any Major Rankings

Across the John Rank: #21 overall

     3. Aderlin Rodriguez

Signed as an International free agent at 16 years old

Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 21

Projected Opening Day Assignment: High-A St. Lucie

Positives: most power of any Minor Leaguer, can be a 30-40 HR guy in the Bigs, good arm, hit 51 XBH this year and drove in 83 runs, had his best season in 2012

Negatives: very little range, has never hit for a high average, takes a while to adjust to each level, doesn’t have a set position, blocked by Davis and Wright

ETA: 2015

Aderlin Rodriguez

Projection: With a tremendous bounce back season in 2012, Aderlin Rodriguez is back on the map as a legitimate Major League prospect. His 24 home runs and 83 RBIs lead all Minor Leaguers. He got his average up to a respectable .263 as well, and sported a slugging percentage of .476. It took Aderlin nearly two years to figure out the SAL, but he’s only 21 so there’s still plenty of time for him to keep improving. For a team that desperately needs power, this man is the most pure source they have outside of New York.

Best Case Scenario: Aramis Ramirez with less of an average

Not in any Major Rankings

Baseball America: Best Power Hitter in Organization

Baseball America: Best Infield Arm in the System

Across the John Rank: #16 overall

     2.    Gavin Cecchini

     Barbe H.S. (Lake Charles, LA) (1^st Round, 12^th overall in 2012 Draft)

Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 19

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Short Season-A Brooklyn

Positives: great all-around shortstop beyond his years, incredible athlete, great baseball mind/instincts, advanced hitting skills, good arm and baserunning ability

Negatives: not one tool is super special, needs to develop more power if he’s going to be a star

ETA: 2016

Gavin Cecchini

Projection: Cecchini is a teenager and still has a lot to prove, but he has all the makings of a Major League shortstop. From playing on ESPN at 12 years old in the Little League World Series to having a brother who is a Red Sox prospect, Gavin has the spotlight and pedigree questions answered already. His humble attitude and raw ability adds up to a kid who has absolutely nothing stopping him from being a starting infielder in the Big Leagues. It’s all within his control.

Best Case Scenario: Erick Aybar with leadership capabilities

MLB.com Ranks: #6 prospect in system (#1 infielder)

Baseball Prospectus Ranks: #6 prospect in system (#2 infielder)

Baseball America: #2 prospect in system (#1 infielder)

Baseball America: Best Pure Hitter of the 2012 draft class

Across the John Rank: #8 overall

      1.    Wilmer Flores

Signed as an International free agent in 2007

Bats: Right                                            Throws: Right

Opening Day Age: 21

Projected Opening Day Assignment: Triple-A Las Vegas

Positives: naturally powerful person, makes consistent contact, good plate discipline, has developed legit power, .300 average with 50 XBH last year, always stays healthy

Negatives: slow-footed, doesn’t have a position, average defensively

ETA: late 2013 / early 2014

Wilmer Flores

Projection: Flores is a natural hitter who has rekindled his stock in many prospect rankings after a strong 2012. With the Mets infield seemingly set, it’s hard to picture Flores playing for the Mets this year. He’s probably almost ready to contribute and can be an impact bat very soon, but he needs to find a position first. My guess is they try him at second base and trade Daniel Murphy next year if Flores performs in Las Vegas. Wilmer hits a lot of fly balls, so it’s very possible that the thin PCL air sends his home run totals to the moon. If an infielder gets hurt for the long-term, it’s very possible we see the Venezuelan this season.

Best Case Scenario: poor man’s Miguel Cabrera

MLB.com Ranks: #7 in system (#2 infielder)

Baseball America: #6 in system (#2 infielder)

Baseball America: Best Hitter for Average in the System

Baseball Prospectus Ranks: #5 in system (#1 infielder)

Across the John Rankings: #5 overall

Honorable Mention: Eric Campbell (#57), Allan Dykstra (#64), Jeff Diehl (#73), Robbie Shields (#77)