The New York Mets Top-25 Prospects list has experienced some major changes over the last year and a half. Mets fans may never get over the trade that saw top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn head to Seattle. Even the more recent deadline trade of Simeon Woods-Richardson and Anthony Kay to Toronto depleted some of the top half of the system.
The recent draft classes have revitalized some of the depth in the Mets system, particularly on the pitching side. The New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects list contains upside throughout and athletes to dream on.
Minor League Affiliates
Triple-A: Syracuse (International League)
Double-A: Binghamton (Eastern League)
Single-A (Advanced): St. Lucie (Florida State League)
Single-A (Full): Columbia (South Atlantic League)
Single-A (Short-Season): Brooklyn (New York-Penn League)
Rookie: Kingsport-Appalachian League, one team in the Gulf Coast League, and two teams in the Dominican Summer League.
All other team top-25 prospect rankings can be found here.
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New York Mets Top-25 Prospects for 2020
1. Ronny Mauricio, SS, Bats: S, Age: 19, ETA 2022
2019 Stats (A): .268/.307/.357/.665, 20 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 6/16 SB, 4.6 BB%, 19.6 K%, 470 AB
We start off the New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects list with switch-hitting SS Ronny Mauricio. At this moment, Mauricio represents potential overproduction. It’s especially the case as he’s been considerably young for each level in his two professional seasons. While the overall stat line isn’t loud, there’s plenty to like in Mauricio’s game. Mauricio has shown an ability to make contact, and it’s no small accomplishment for a long-limbed, 6’3″ player (who looks even taller than that).
While the K rate went up from last year’s sub 15% mark, it’s at a manageable level, especially for a future power hitter. We’ve seen flashes of game power from both sides of the plate, where the overall package is more advanced from the left side (.280/.325/.381). The low BB rate is somewhat of a red flag, but he makes so much contact he could hit his way through that. Mauricio should level out around average speed, as he’s wiry and shouldn’t lose too much athleticism with further growth. He’s a career 33% SB as a professional since his speed is more long-stride based, versus a true burner.
He should make his mark as a hit/power-hitter in fantasy. Mauricio has unique physical gifts and though it may take time for it to come all together, he has the chance to be a MLB run producer. Depending on how he develops mechanically and physically, Mauricio could figure to be anywhere from a 25-35 HR per season type of impact.
2. Andres Gimenez, SS, Bats: L, Age: 21, ETA 2020
2019 Stats (AA): .250/.309/.387/.696, 22 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 28/42 SB, 5.0 BB%, 21.3 K%, 432 AB
Gimenez is a talented middle infielder but has a touch of prospect fatigue at this point. In 2018, he raised some eyebrows by making it to Double-A and the Arizona Fall League during his age-19 season. Gimenez struggled on the large prospect stage of the AFL, but he had endured a long grind of a season where he was pushed aggressively.
Gimenez settled in at Double-A for the duration of the 2019 season and was a steady producer. His OBP dropped dramatically as his K rate climbed 7%. Additionally, his low BB rate should continue to put pressure on the hit tool and cap his value in OBP leagues. Gimenez fared extremely well in his second AFL performance, where he hit for a .371 AVG and .999 OPS in 75 AB. When Gimenez is on, this is the type of upside he still brings. He should also bring plenty of SB value at the highest level. While he may never be the future stud SS some envisioned, he could end up as a solid contributor in the middle infield. His value will be closely tied to where he hits in the lineup.
3. Brett Baty, 3B, Bats: L, Age: 20, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (RK, A-): .234/.368/.452/.820, 16 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 0/0 SB, 15.4 BB%, 28.5 K%, 188 AB
Baty has a tantalizing 3B power hitter profile that should excite dynasty managers. Baty’s most appealing fantasy tools are his game power and on-base prowess. His hit tool has been lauded as equal to the game power and this showed up somewhat inconsistently during his debut. Though, it was a long season for the high school draftee that saw Baty advance three levels (2 ROK and Short Season). Baty has a strong throwing arm and could hopefully stick at 3B defensively. He’ll have pressure to prove he can stay there with little margin for error with Pete Alonso manning 1B for the foreseeable future. With further physical maturity in the upper half and advances in the hit tool, it should be expected to see Baty making moves towards the top of the New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects a consensus Top 100 dynasty prospect ranking soon.
4. Francisco Alvarez, C, Bats: R, Age: 18, ETA 2022
2019 Stats (RK): .312/.407/.510/.916, 10 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 1/3 SB, 11.5 BB%, 20.3 K%, 157 AB
It’s hard to be over the moon for an 18-year-old catcher in the context of dynasty leagues, but Alvarez may be one of the exceptions to that. Alvarez showed a knack for hitting in his debut season with a pretty swing from the right side. He came billed as a power slugger in the 2018 J2 class, but his hit tool appears to be just as strong if not better than his game power. Alvarez is pretty maxed out physically as a sturdy 6’0″, 220 lb, but he’s built well especially in the lower half. The Mets value their offensive-minded catchers, and Alvarez could wind up among the game’s best fantasy catchers at peak.
5. Mark Vientos, 3B, Bats: R, Age: 20, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (A): .255/.300/.411/.711, 27 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, 1/5 SB, 4.8 BB%, 24.2 K%, 416 AB
For those that roster Mark Vientos in dynasty leagues, 2019 was not the breakout year they’d hoped for. 2019 saw Vientos’ walk rate plummet nearly 10% down to 4.8%, by far his lowest mark as a professional. But his batted ball profile remained largely the same, even getting better by dropping both his ground ball and infield fly ball rates. He has a beautiful swing that projects to get to plenty of power. The Mets tabbed Vientos as their 2019 Minor League Hitter of the Year.
Vientos has been young in every step along his professional track, even being one of the youngest in the 2017 draft class. He played exclusively at 3B during 2019, which will put more pressure on his bat to man the hot corner. It’s too early to write off Vientos and this kind of talent, and I believe he still has what it takes to be the 3B of the future for the Mets.
6. Freddy Valdez, OF, Bats: R, Age: 18, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): .274/.367/.448/.814, 16 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 6/8 SB, 10.9 BB%, 17.9 K%, 230 AB
A power-hitting corner outfielder, Valdez produced an excellent debut season after signing as part of the 2018 J2 class. Valdez is a large young man and particularly strong in the lower half, where he derives most of his power with a good sized leg kick. Valdez mashed his way to the Mets DSL Hitter of the Year award in 2019. As is customary with the Mets, they rewarded Valdez with a stateside 3 G cameo to end the season in the GCL. With a slugger who posted the kind of BB and K rates as he did, he’s raised interest among prospectors considerably. With a strong showing in full-season ball, Valdez could be poised to be in conversation for the top spot on future New York Mets Top-25 Prospects lists.
7. Matthew Allan, RHP, Age: 19, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (RK, A-): 10.1 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 12.2 K/9
The Mets took a chance on Allan who fell in the draft due to signability concerns as a commit to the University of Florida. In Allan, the Mets have a righty that is physically mature at only 19 years old and already features two plus pitches. The fastball-curveball should produce plenty of swing and miss, while his ability to spot them at this stage a good sign. The changeup operates pretty close in velocity to his fastball, so further refinement there could make him really tough to hit as he advances through the minors.
8. David Peterson, LHP, Age: 24, ETA 2020
2019 Stats (AA): 116 IP, 4.19 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, 9.5 K/9
Peterson is unfairly billed as a high-floor only starter. With a 4 pitch mix, Peterson has a good ability to both miss bats and produce a high number of ground balls. Peterson’s sinker and slider serve as the front of the arsenal and he commands them well. In one sense, Peterson projects as a durable innings-eater, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Peterson should post higher K numbers than his surface profile would suggest due to his pitchability, and I like him as a future rotation fixture for the Mets for the long haul.
9. Thomas Szapucki, LHP, Age: 23, ETA 2020
2019 Stats (A, A+, AA): 61.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 10.5 K/9
Szapucki returned to the mound after missing the 2018 season due to injury. He pitched very well in his return where he showed his stuff which flashes dominance. The fastball-curveball are a dynamic combination. He has the velocity and spin rates to make batters miss on high fastballs while tunneling and sequencing the slower curveball. Even if the changeup peaks as a “show me,” he has a multi-inning role in the big leagues as a potential K machine.
10. Alexander Ramirez, OF, Bats: R, Age: 17, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): Did Not Play
Ramirez is the tantalizing J2 athlete that has a very high ceiling in dynasty. He’s tall already and his leanness helps project that he’ll keep most of his speed. Ramirez is billed as an advanced hitter with a quick bat. While he doesn’t get the recognition of some of the other names from the J2 class, Ramirez is one you’ll want to scoop up as many shares in dynasty as possible.
11. Josh Wolf, RHP, Age: 19, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (RK): 8 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9, 13.5 K/9
The Mets 2nd Round selection in 2019 (53rd overall), Wolf has a starter’s profile. He’s a 6’3″ righty that can touch the upper 90’s and maintain velocity deep into starts. He throws with a lower arm slot which generates vertical movement inside on right-handed hitters. His curveball projects as a plus offering at peak. Wolf also has pitching polish as he prides himself on reading hitters. For all of these reasons, he’s a safer than usual high school arm and could be poised for a rise up the New York Mets Top-25 Prospects list.
12. Shervyen Newton, IF, Bats: S, Age: 21, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (A): .209/.283/.330/.613, 15 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 1/5 SB, 8.7 BB%, 32.9 K%, 382 AB
Newton made his full-season ball debut with mixed results. The power certainly showed as he cleared the fence 9 times while adding 15 doubles. His K rate barely changed but his BB rate dipped from 17.3% in 2018. Some of the struggles may be explained by a drastic change in his BABIP from 2018: a .421 dropped down to .303. Newton played primarily 2B but also played at SS and 3B during 2019. It’s easy to see the tremendous physical player that Newton is, and he’s capable of producing offensive potential when he’s firing on all cylinders. He’s a good buy-low candidate right now in dynasty leagues.
13. Adrian Hernandez, OF, Bats: R, Age: 19, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): .286/.375/.643/.1018, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2/3 SB, 6.3 BB%, 25.0 K%, 14 AB
Hernandez is built like a bruiser of an NFL running back at 5’9″, 210 lb. His frame keeps his swing compact, and both his strength and bat speed generate good raw power. He’ll remind Mets fans physically of the chiseled Yoenis Cespedes. Unfortunately, a knee injury robbed Hernandez of most of the year of development time. Nonetheless, Hernandez has a bright future among the New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects as a potential all-around contributor in fantasy.
14. Kevin Smith, LHP, Age: 23, ETA 2021
2019 Stats (A+, AA): 117 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 10.0 K/9
Smith has been a fast mover after being taken in the 2018 draft. Impressively, he skipped over full season Columbia and jumped to High-A. He capped off a very good season with 31.1 quality innings at Double-A. Smith isn’t on the 40 man roster yet but he did earn an invite to big league Spring Training. Smith doesn’t have overpowering velocity but he combines deception with three quality offerings. The 6’5″ lefty is on the brink of contributing to the Mets, earning the Mets 2019 Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.
15. Junior Santos, RHP, Age: 18, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): 40.2 IP, 5.09 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 5.5 BB/9, 8.0 K/9
The physically imposing Santos stands at 6’8″, and he has precocious command for a player of his experience and size. There’s strikeout upside here and a frame to amass plenty of innings on top of it. He’s working with two different types of breaking balls and the fastball already can touch 95 mph. While there is inherent risk in a large pitcher repeating his delivery and putting it all together, Santos is an exciting target to hone in on from this New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects list in deep dynasty leagues.
16. Carlos Cortes, 2B/LF, Bats: L, Age: 22, ETA 2022
2019 Stats (A+): .255/.336/.397/.733, 26 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 6/11 SB, 9.9 BB%, 14.6 K%, 458 AB
Cortes is a pure hitter. He’s not the most physical but does have a strong lower half and good movements on the field. Cortes is a player who consistently puts up solid offensive performances in every professional stop. He can lift the ball (45% fly ball in 2019) and has plus raw pop despite his smaller 5’7″ build. My most favorite part of Cortes’ profile is that he is a switch thrower and throws lefty when he plays the outfield. While that unique skill doesn’t translate to fantasy, Cortes is an intriguing prospect for deeper leagues.
17. Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Age: 24, ETA 2021
2019 Stats (AA): Did Not Play
The Mets acquired Kilome from the division-rival Phillies in 2018. Once billed as a top prospect, Kilome flashed that kind of talent in his 38 IP wearing a Double-A Binghamton uniform. He went down after the season with Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2019. Kilome will keep recovering from Tommy John surgery but if all continues on the same positive path he should be able to challenge the big leagues in the not too distant future. Whether it is in the rotation or bullpen remains to be seen.
18. Jaylen Palmer, 3B/SS, Bats: R, Age: 19, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): .260/.344/.413/.757, 12 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 1/4 SB, 11.2 BB%, 39.1 K%, 242 AB
Palmer brings good size and athletic frame to the left side of the infield. There’s big power in his bat but it comes with a nearly 40% K rate. He’s not completely raw offensively though, as he showed an ability to get on base and was a productive run producer when he did make contact. He’s a local kid for the Mets growing up in Flushing, NY, so he’d be a great story for the organization if he pans out. If Palmer can even get to a 40 hit tool, his other tools should carry him to grow into a potentially productive fantasy player.
19. Robert Dominguez, RHP, Age: 18, ETA 2025
2019 Stats (RK): Did Not Play
The 18-year-old’s ability to touch 99 mph with the fastball at such an early age has already garnered him plenty of interest in dynasty. He’s a durable 6’5″ and reportedly has the makings of a plus curveball to add to the premium fastball. As long as Dominguez doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg in your dynasty league, he’s as good a bet as any to climb up rankings. If you’re a contending team, he’s a good player to own on the New York Mets 2020 Top-25 Prospects and trade to a rebuilder for a win-now roster addition.
20. Dedniel Nunez, RHP, Age: 23, ETA 2022
2019 Stats (A, A+): 80 IP, 4.39 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.6 K/9
Nunez is a power pitcher who relies on a strong lower half to push the fastball up to 96 mph. Nunez gets late life on the heater and has clean mechanics to hold up in a multi-inning role. He has a curveball that he’ll throw back foot on lefties and will be even tougher on them when his changeup further develops. We’ll have a better idea of his future role as he challenges hitters in the upper minors, but he’ll miss bats with good command regardless.
21. Blaine McIntosh, OF, Bats: L, Age: 18, ETA 2024
2019 Stats (RK): .228/.311/.228/.539, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5/8 SB, 10.7 BB%, 21.4 K%, 92 AB
McIntosh represents a raw athlete with some potential fantasy upside. His current swing is contact-oriented. He’ll often serve the ball the other way (42.9%) and let his plus speed take over. The approach is very ground ball heavy (67.1%), and he should be able to lift the ball more as he gains strength. McIntosh passed a commitment to Vanderbilt to sign with the Mets, so there’s some pedigree too to add to McIntosh’s interesting profile.
22. Jordan Humpreys, RHP, Age: 23, ETA 2022
2019 Stats (RK): 2 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
Humphreys has been a stalwart on New York Mets Top-25 Prospects lists since being drafted in 2015. He unfortunately missed nearly two full seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made it back for a brief stint in the GCL and then extended his comeback to the AFL. Humphreys checked the box of health and also pitched effectively as a whole. Humphreys has the ability to command 4 pitches and is a good candidate to re-establish his prospect status moving forward.
23. Jeremy Vasquez, 1B/OF, Bats: L, Age: 23, ETA 2021
2019 Stats (A+, AA): .273/.357/.369/.725, 27 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 3/7 SB, 11.0 BB%, 14.7 K%, 483 AB
Vasquez is a high contact, high OBP first baseman. He has a short, fluid swing that produces gap power. While the Mets are well set at 1B for the foreseeable future, Vasquez also can chip in as a left fielder on occasion. Vasquez had an identical 13.3% BB and K rate in his Double-A stint at the end of the 2019 season, showing his good hitting prowess. Vasquez would likely need a trade to break in as part of a different organization to maximize his future fantasy impact.
24. Ryley Gilliam, RHP, Age: 23, ETA 2020
2019 Stats (A+, AA, AAA): 38.2 IP, 6.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, 13.0 K/9
As pure relief pitching prospects go, Gilliam has the type of stuff to make an impact in the big league bullpen. Like many pitchers who rely on their curveball as a putaway offering, the Triple-A ball impacted Gilliam’s movement and feel for the pitch. This showed in the numbers but doesn’t take away from Gilliam becoming a solid 8th inning option. With the Mets investment in Edwin Diaz in the closer’s role, Gilliam can impact holds leagues but will have a mountain to climb to earn saves.
25. Jake Mangum, OF, Bats: S, Age: 24, ETA 2023
2019 Stats (A-): .247/.337/.297/.633, 5 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 17/22 SB, 7.1 BB%, 12.3 K%, 182 AB
Mangum is a pure hit and speed prospect. He set the SEC hits record during his time at Mississippi State. A switch hitter, Mangum is praised for his work ethic and defense in centerfield. While he may never get to enough game power to profile as a starter and he’s a touch on the older side, Mangum is a prospect to root for.
Next 10 Mets Prospects: Jose Butto (RHP), Michel Otañez (RHP), Daison Acosta (RHP), Ali Sanchez (C), Stephen Gonsalves (LHP), Raul Beracierta (OF), Stanley Consuegra (OF), Cesar Loaiza (LHP), Luis Carpio (IF), Wilmer Reyes (IF).
Ben Wilson is a member of the FantraxHQ team as a Minor League Prospect Analyst and Dynasty Fantasy Baseball writer. Ben’s work can also be found on Prospects1500.com and formerly on Real McCoy Minors News. Ben is also a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA). For more content from Ben, follow him on Twitter @TBDubbs11.
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