Wednesday catch-all thread (1/29/25)
Please use this thread all week to discuss any Mets-specific topic you wish.
Keith Law recently released his top 100 prospects and the list included three Mets. Here’s where they ranked and a snippet on each of them:
Brandon Sproat - “It’ll always be control over command, as he’s so aggressive that it’s hard to foresee him ever toning it down enough to be precise with his locations. He’ll have to do a little bit of refinement to make the last leap to the majors, as hitters will hit your stuff, no matter how good it is, if you put it on a tee for them. He has some similarities to Edwin Jackson, a huge stuff guy who was more of a No. 4 starter for most of his career, although I think Sproat has better control than Jackson did at the same age.”
Jett Williams - “It’s a compact swing combined with very good ball/strike awareness, and he could be a high-average/high-OBP second baseman with 55-60 defense, which would make him a solid or better regular. His 2024 season was just a lost year, and while he can’t get those at-bats back, it’s also possible that we’ll have to just disregard what he did do when he played because he wasn’t 100 percent.”
Ronny Mauricio - “Prior to the injury, he was the Mets’ top prospect, with lightning in his wrists that produces grade-70 power, peaking at 117 mph in his brief major-league debut. He’s just way too aggressive at the plate, chasing offspeed stuff out of the zone at a rate that’s not going to be sustainable for a major-league regular — which is why the loss of a year-plus of plate appearances was so damaging for him, as he needs to work on ball/strike and pitch recognition, and the best way to do that is by playing.”
Perhaps it’s encouraging that two guys who did very little and nothing to support their case remain on the list. My opinion is that Carson Benge should be in consideration as the Mets’ best prospect but it also makes sense that with just 15 games of pro ball under his belt why he didn’t make Law’s list.
Prospect Rankings: I feel like Sproat is a little high unless you were going to have Jonah Tong listed nearby. To me they are both very close in terms of value. I agree that Gilbert and Acuna don't belong on the Top 100 list right now. Disappointed not to see Jesus Baez get on this list after making some others.
Like the Stanek signing and think our bullpen is currently pretty good. With a 6 man rotation and a couple platoon players I am concerned about keeping everyone we need on the 26 man roster. If everyone (possible) is healthy you wind up with some Sophie's choice decisions on players.
1. Francisco Alvarez, C1 (Lock)
2. Luis Torens, C2 (Lock)
3. Jessie Winker, 1B (Lock)
4. Jeff McNeil, 2B (Lock)
5. Francisco Lindor, SS (Lock)
6. Juan Soto, LF (Lock)
7. Jose Siri, CF (Lock)
8. Brandon Nimmo, RF (Lock)
9. Starling Marte, DH (Lock)
10. Tyrone Taylor, 4OF (Lock)
11. Middle Infielder? Luisangel Acuna?
12. Starting 1B? Brett Baty?
13. Sean Manaea (Lock)
14. Kodai Senga (Lock)
15. David Peterson (Lock)
16. Frankie Montas (Lock)
17. Clay Holmes (Lock)
18. 6th Starter (Paul Blackburn or Griffin Canning)
19. Edwin Diaz (Lock)
20. A.J. Minter (Lock)
21. Ryne Stanek (Lock)
22. Reed Garrett
23. Jose Butto
24. Sean Reid Foley
25. Dedniel Nunez
26. Danny Young
??. Paul Blackburn/Griffin Canning
??. Tylor Megill
??. Huascar Brazoban
??. Genesis Cabrerea
We also have the conundrum of 3B/1B which is caused by the notable lack of Pete Alonso. Is the plan to have Winker play 1B and Vientos play 3rd? Is the plan to have Baty play 3rd and Vientos 1st (with Winker at DH with Marte)? I don't think Mauricio will be ready and healthy to play in Queens until at least June. On this topic, I'm getting sick of the fake articles claiming to have information on Alonso's future. His chances of winding up back in Queens get lower and lower as the Mets plan for the year has had to shift.
Glad to see some of the prospects moving forward. It is the lifeline of a franchise to draft correctly and have a strong pipeline of talent coming up. Would love for Sproat to make the leap up in 2025 and would assume that Mauricio when healthy will be on the big club. Would be thrilled if Stanek does come back on a one year deal. Would have been happier with Kirby Yates but the Dodgers just signed him, for a lot of money, but if you look at his 2024 stats, he is worth the money. Still want Alonso to realize the Mets offer is the best and come back into the fold.