As they do every year, Baseball America has released its new Top 100 prospects in the game list heading into the 2020 season. And two Mets have made the cut.
Shortstop Ronny Mauricio and catcher Francisco Alvarez have come in at No. 66 and 67, respectively, on the list.
The outlet already had Mauricio as its top prospect in the Mets organization, as the 18-year-old has shown tremendous progress in just two seasons of pro ball. He slashed .268/.307/.357 with four homers and 37 RBI over 116 games with Low-A Columbia last season. If he continues that growth, Mauricio has a chance to find himself in Double-A at some point this year.
SNY contributor Joe DeMayo also had Mauricio as his top Mets prospect, saying "I don't think anyone will have a different prospect ranked No. 1 in the system. At 6-foot-3, Mauricio still has room to grow into his body, and that's what scouts love as he develops more power at the plate. He is also very smooth at shortstop with the chance to transition to third base if need be."
Alvarez is another 18-year-old prospect that many believe is primed for a breakout season in 2020 -- at least that's what MLB Pipeline thinks will happen.
"The Venezuela native is already perhaps the best pure hitter in New York's system, with defensive chops behind the plate that could make him an impactful two-way catcher," the publication wrote.
Alvarez was 17 last season when he hit .312/.407/.510 with seven homers and 10 doubles in 42 games with both Rookie levels in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian leagues. He should find himself in A-ball when he begins this season, and as we mentioned, could start a fast track up the ranks.
And while Mets fans may not want to hear this, it is worth noting that former prospects -- OF Jarred Kelenic and RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson, who were traded away in the Robinson Cano and Marcus Stroman deals, respectively -- ranked higher than Mauricio and Alvarez.
Kelenic, who worked all the way up to Double-A in his second pro season, came in at No. 11 on the list. Woods-Richardson comes in at No. 61 after doing well in the Blue Jays' system after he was traded, posting a 2.54 ERA over six games in High-A ball. He had a 4.25 ERA in 20 starts in the minors for the Mets earlier last season.