The top prospect sites all release their Top 10-30 players for every organization at the start of each season. However, by mid-summer, those lists end up being shaken around by guys getting traded, falling from grace, getting injured or - hopefully - improving and shooting up the ranks.

Here are five Mets prospects I believe have the potential to move up a few slots this season, be it into the organization's elite list or - in the case of one player - MLB's Top 50...

Ronny Mauricio, SS, 17 years old (ETA: as soon as 2022)

Mauricio was a hot topic starting late last spring and his name kept being mentioned by experts throughout the rest of the season and in to this winter.

"I have him as the the best player in the system," an area scout told me. "Soft hands, big-time arm, raw power and a ton of bat speed. There's no way they keep him at shortstop."

According to people familiar with the development of the deal, Mauricio was frequently requested by Seattle during trade talks for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, but the Mets hung on to him.

"They were smart to hang on to this kid," a rival team source told me. "Teenagers with the potential for plus power, a natural at shortstop and a switch hitter do not grow on trees."

No one I spoke with had concerns about his over tools. He'll eventually be a big-league player.

To bump up team ranking and get in MLB's Top 50, according to evaluators, experts, etc...

Remain healthy as he grows and fills out.
Start considering a move to third base, it's not too soon

Ceiling: Alfonso Soriano (power, speed)
Floor: Super-utility, think Wilmer Flores

Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP (ETA: 2022, Age: 18)

The Mets selected Woods-Richardson in the second round (48th overall) during last summer's MLB Draft.

He's the classic big, strong, corn-fed Texan, checking in at a full 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and looking like Noah Syndergaard circa 2010. Similar to the above when at his age, Woods-Richardson features a fastball already pushing 95 MPH with good arm speed and a three-quarter arm slot, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com.

To bump up in to the team's top 10, according to evaluators, experts, etc...

He has to improve his curve ball
Be more strategic with his change up
Use less arm, more legs to help stay sharp deeper in games

Ceiling: Mid-to-Front End Starting Pitcher
Floor: Middle reliever, flashes of closer potential

By the way, I still think he has the perfect name for an NFL running back. Right?

Thomas Szapucki, LHP (Age: 22, ETA: 2022)

Szapucki was drafted in 2015, and at one time was considered a promising, near guarantee to possibly be in the team's rotation. However, he's been unable to keep off the disabled list, be it suffering with a back issue, shoulder impingement, and then Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2018.

"Last I saw him, he had a terrific breaking ball and an explosive fastball with variable speeds, lots of movement," an evaluator told me, having to look back at his notes. "He had a sneaky delivery that helped him control the game, getting hitters to lock up on his off-speed stuff."

To get back on everyone's radar, and in to team's Top 5, according to evaluators, experts, etc...

He has to stay healthy and show he's beyond his TJ surgery
Improve on his overall command, especially if keeping the low arm slot
Consider less cross-body delivery to take stress off elbow
Just pitch, get innings and experience

Ceiling: Steven Matz, Scott Kazmir
Floor: Back-end guy, chronic health issues

Shervyen Newton, SS/3B, 19 years old (ETA: 2022)

Evaluators love Newton's size. He's 6-foot-4 and looks like a young, wirey Alfonso Soriano.

"It's not hard to look at this kid and imagine how he'll grow in to his power, size, fluidity and skills on the field to be a wonderful big league player," a veteran scout told me.

Evaluators often mentioned his "size," "instincts" and ability to "stay in on the ball," as well as how he's a commanding presence in the infield, where no one believes he will remain as he gets bigger and more powerful.

To bump up in to the team's top 10, according to evaluators, experts, etc...

He is still very raw, has to soon begin focusing his skillset
Use the field more, improve on fighting off inside pitches

"He's either a third baseman or corner outfielder when he gets the call," the same scout said. "There's a lot of potential here -- star potential -- but size and swing mean he has to remain smart during his development."

Ceiling: Didi Gregarious, Xander Bogaerts
Floor: Frustrated, Super-utility guy

Mark Vientos, SS-3B, 19 years old (ETA: 2021)

The people I talked with all praise Vientos' bat speed and consistent swing.

"He's as close to a professional hitter as you'll find in the minors, doesn't look 19," one person said. "He's got raw power, but he'll need to go the other way more and reduce the hitch in his swing to fight off upper level pitching."

In the field, he's said to be "OK," right now only capable of making routine plays, which will be a concern the closer he gets to the big leagues.

To bump up in to the team's top 5, according to evaluators, experts, etc...

Avoid noticeable, swing-and-miss slumps
Keep from dropping elbows, but also get more lift
Improve his range in the hole between short and third
Don't be afraid to be more aggressive at the plate

"He's also a prime choice trade guy," a scouting director said. "He's intriguing, a natural, but flawed, the type of talented, high-ceiling guy you see added to a mid-summer deal."

Ceiling: Eric Hosmer on left side of infield
Floor: Struggle to be Wilmer Flores

Also worth keeping tabs on are Desmond Lindsay (raw tools, but fading, fourth outfielder with hopes of more), Freddy Valdez (17, $1.4 million International signing, raw power, mature, holes in swing) and David Thompson (hard contact, raw power, late bloomer, do or die time).

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!

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