Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Every Monday, we'll be taking a look at how the Mets' top prospects (their MLB.com Mets Top 10 rankings are in parenthesis) are faring.
Andres Gimenez, SS, Double-A Binghamton (No. 2) -- ETA 2020
The 20-year-old Gimenez -- who is the Mets' No. 2 prospect by default (MLB.com has not yet removed Pete Alonso's No. 1 prospect status) -- is viewed by most minor league experts as one of the best 50 or so prospects in baseball.
After opening the season by hitting .283/.345/.453 over his first 12 games, Gimenez has hit a cold snap before recently emerging. He has eight hits (including a double and triple) in his last 27 at-bats. Overall, he is hitting .250/.314/.380 in 23 games (92 at-bats).
@andresgimenez with a single tonight #andresgimenez #milb #rumbleponies pic.twitter.com/yCxqD0a6pT
- Eliza Beth (@Newmannnnnn4) May 1, 2019
Ronny Mauricio, SS, Low-A Columbia (No. 3) -- ETA 2022
The 18-year-old Mauricio, a switch-hitter who the Mets gave $2.1 million in 2017 as an international free agent, recenly emerged from an 0-for-11 skid and has notched hits in each of his last three games. He is hitting .276/.315/.324 in 105 at-bats this season.
His assignment to Low-A means a potential promotion to High-A St. Lucie at some point this season. Mauricio is the No. 68 prospect in baseball, according to FanGraphs. If he continues to perform well, look for his name to be on most Top 100 lists this summer.
Mark Vientos, 3B, Low-A Columbia (No. 4) -- ETA 2021
Vientos, 19, is hitting .233/.304/.311 with one homer and four doubles in 26 games (90 at-bats) this season after having a breakout season in 2018 for Rookie-level Kingsport.
"With bat speed and strength, Vientos produces exit velocities that are among the best in the system, up there with the likes of slugger Peter Alonso," MLB.com notes in their scouting report.
Sheesh 👀 .@MarkVientos_5 #LetsGlow pic.twitter.com/LPg2wARdLd
- Columbia Fireflies (@ColaFireflies) April 13, 2019
Shervyen Newton, SS, Low-A Columbia (No. 5) -- ETA 2022
The 19-year-old Newton shows "a very advanced approach at the plate for a prospect his age," according to MLB.com's scouting report. He hit .280/.408/.449 with with five homers, 16 doubles, and two triples in 56 games last season for Rookie level Kingsport. Newton has had a slow start this season after starting the year on the IL due to a minor shoulder injury. He has just three hits (a double) in 33 at-bats over 11 games.
David Peterson, LHP, Double-A Binghamton (No. 6) -- ETA 2020
After getting tattooed on April 29 (allowing seven runs on six hits in just 1.2 innings), Peterson rebounded on May 4, allowing one run in 5.2 innings while walking one and striking out nine.
#Mets top pitching prospect David Peterson bounced back from his worst pro outing with a season-high nine strikeouts yesterday for Binghamton.
- Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) May 5, 2019
Did allow nine hits, but there was a ton of BABIP unluckiness involved. pic.twitter.com/KDWAgnB81T
Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, Low-A Columbia (No. 7) -- ETA 2022
After the 18-year-old opened the season in dominant fashion, posting a 1.23 ERA and 0.75 WHIP while striking out 22 batters and walking none in 14.2 innings (five starts), Woods Richardson had his first real blip during his last start -- allowing five runs on six hits while walking one and striking out five in 3.1 innings on May 1.
The Mets' second-round pick (No. 48) in the 2018 draft, Woods Richardson has one of the most electric arms in the system, with a fastball that reaches as high as 97 MPH and had Mickey Callaway raving during Spring Training.
Similar to Ronny Mauricio, look for Woods Richardson to get some love on Top 100 Prospect lists later this season if he excels. And look for Mauricio to get promoted to High-A St. Lucie before the season ends if he keeps dominating.
MetsBlog contributor Joe DeMayo recently profiled Woods Richardson here.
Career-high 7 strikeouts for Simeon Woods Richardson in only 3 innings with Columbia tonight. #Mets
- Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) April 26, 2019
His career-to-date numbers: 32 IP, 48 K, 4 BB, 5 ER pic.twitter.com/CEUUsyt1Rr
Anthony Kay, LHP, Double-A Binghamton (No. 8) -- ETA 2020
Kay kept rolling during his start on May 2, allowing two hits in 5.1 shutout innings while walking three and striking out four as his ERA dipped to 1.52 and his WHIP dropped to 0.98. He has thrown 29.2 innings in six starts this season.
The 24-year-old Kay has moved up the ladder along with David Peterson. And like Peterson, he profiles as a mid-rotation starter.
A first-round draft pick of the @Mets in 2016, Anthony Kay is finally feeling healthy again and putting up consistent numbers with the @RumblePoniesBB. The question, how long will we see the former @UConnBSB pitcher in Binghamton?@Mets_Minors pic.twitter.com/rIRPmU94ZF
- Kiley Farrell (@KileyFarrellTV) May 1, 2019
Thomas Szapucki, LHP, Low-A Columbia (No. 9) -- ETA 2021
Now recovered from Tommy John surgery, the 22-year-old Szapucki -- whose innings are being increased very slowly -- has allowed one run on four hits while walking three and striking out two in 3.1 innings (two starts, one relief appearance) this season.
Szapucki is further away than David Peterson and Anthony Kay because of the delay due to Tommy John surgery, but he has more upside than either.
"His explosive fastball is electric with plus life, and he throws it in the 92-97 mph range," according to MLB.com's scouting report. "His power breaking ball can be a second plus pitch which freezes hitters and misses bats."
