Where the Mets' Top 30 prospects are starting the season
Sam Dykstra
@SamDykstraMiLBWith the Minor League season upon us, here's where the Mets’ Top 30 prospects are projected to start:
1. Jett Williams (MLB No. 43), SS -- Binghamton (Double-A)
2. Drew Gilbert (MLB No. 50), OF -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
3. Luisangel Acuña (MLB No. 63), SS -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
4. Ryan Clifford (MLB No. 93), OF -- Brooklyn (High-A)
5. Christian Scott, RHP -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
6. Ronny Mauricio, 2B -- Injured (torn ACL)
7. Colin Houck, SS -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
8. Marco Vargas, INF -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
9. Kevin Parada, C -- Binghamton (Double-A)
10. Blade Tidwell, RHP -- Binghamton (Double-A)
11. Mike Vasil, RHP -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
12. Jeremy Rodriguez, SS -- Extended spring training
13. Brandon Sproat, RHP -- Brooklyn (High-A)
14. Dominic Hamel, RHP -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
15. Jacob Reimer, 3B -- Injured (hamstring)
16. Alex Ramirez, OF -- Binghamton (Double-A)
17. Yovanny Rodriguez, C -- Extended spring training
18. Tyler Stuart, RHP -- Binghamton (Double-A)
19. Nolan McLean, RHP -- Brooklyn (High-A)
20. Ronald Hernandez, C -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
21. Jesus Baez, SS -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
22. Calvin Ziegler, RHP -- Brooklyn (High-A)
23. Wilfredo Lara, OF -- Injured (hamate)
24. Nate Lavender, LHP -- Syracuse (Triple-A)
25. Boston Baro, SS -- Injured (hamate)
26. Nick Morabito, OF -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
27. Raimon Gomez, RHP -- Injured (Tommy John rehab)
28. Joander Suarez, RHP -- Binghamton (Double-A)
29. Saul Garcia, RHP -- St. Lucie (Single-A)
30. Rhylan Thomas, OF -- Binghamton (Double-A)
Team to watch
New York made a point to send more money to the Astros and Rangers in order to improve the prospect returns for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at last year’s Deadline, and the two big names in Gilbert and Acuña are paired together at Triple-A Syracuse to begin the year. They started the season with a bang, going back-to-back with homers last Friday thus adding to the hype machine in the International League. They aren’t alone at the Minors’ top level. Scott, Vasil, Hamel and Lavender round out a solid Syracuse pitching staff that is close to helping New York’s pitching corps.
Players we could see in 2024
Gilbert and Acuña are likely to get long looks in Syracuse, but both have the tools to push for Queens by the second half and lock in their places as part of New York’s present and future. Vasil made 16 Triple-A starts a season ago and could be considered quickly if and when the Mets’ rotation depth is tested. Scott has less experience at the top level but has a higher ceiling, thanks to his stellar control and three-pitch mix. Lavender is expected to play a role in New York’s bullpen at some point after striking out 35.1 percent of his Triple-A batters faced in 2023.
New faces
Seven of the Mets’ Top 13 prospects were either Trade Deadline acquisitions (Gilbert, Acuña, Clifford, Vargas, Rodriguez) or 2023 Draft picks (Houck, Sproat) who will be beginning their first full seasons in the organization. Of those seven, Sproat is the only one who has not yet officially debuted with a Mets affiliate. The second-rounder out of Florida has been up to 99 mph in his first Spring Training and has the makings of an above-average slider and plus changeup. He opens his age-23 season at High-A Brooklyn and could be a quick mover.
On the shelf
Mauricio is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. Reimer pulled a hamstring this spring and will be out until around June. Both Lara and Baro suffered hamate fractures in early spring and will miss Opening Day but aren’t expected to miss much more time. Lara is expected to move to High-A Brooklyn when healthy, while Baro could get additional time in extended spring training before joining an affiliate.