New York Mets Top 50 Prospects (2023)

January 7, 2023 Philip Frank General, Mets, MiLB, NL East, Top 50 Lists 2

New York Mets Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter
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Steve Cohen is at it again after signing big name pitchers like Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga. They are also reportedly still working on a contract and officially signing shortstop Carlos Correa, although that situation is still very much up-in-the-air. With all this big spending, fans know it is World Series or bust this year. The Mets came in at #22 on our Prospects1500 farm system rankings in 2022 and we’ll see where they land next month in our 2023 organization rankings. Most of these top prospects on the list will see limited time in the majors this year, most as depth pieces. Others may be involved in trade talks later in the season due to a smaller focus on the farm system this year.

Last year, we already saw Cohen’s willingness to give away prospects for anything the major league team needs. Tyler Naquin and Darin Ruf were brought in for some former Top 50 Mets like Hector Rodriguez, Jose Acuna, and Thomas Szapucki. There is no doubt that this will happen yet again in their 2023 World Series push.

I have not ranked Senga in this list, but if I included him in the prospect rankings, the 29-year-old Japanese star would likely fall somewhere lower Tier 1/upper Tier 2.


Mets MiLB Affiliates
Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) – Triple-A
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) – Double-A
Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) – High-A
St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) – Single-A
Florida Complex League Mets – Rookie
Dominican Summer League Mets 1 – Rookie
Dominican Summer League Mets 2 – Rookie

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster

*= signifies member of 40-man roster
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2022

Tier 1

1. Francisco Alvarez*, C, 21, MLB
MLB’s #1 and Mets #1 catching prospect, Alvarez, got his first taste of the majors in the end of September and even got some at bats in the Mets short lived wild card series. Alvarez has an explosive bat with power to all fields with the catching ability. Always has great ISO numbers along with 58 career minor league homers. He has already got the first career major league hit/homer out of the way and fans will see plenty more of Alvarez in Queens this year as he will contend for 2023 Rookie of the Year playing catcher and DH.

2. Brett Baty*, 3B/OF, 23, MLB
Another Mets top prospect that saw time in the majors this year in August after injuries to infielding depth. Baty had a great 2022, hitting above .300 in both minor league levels and showing power with 19 total homers. Baty hits well to all fields with decent speed and well capable to be an above average depth piece in the infield/outfield for the 2023 Mets. His major league run in August was unfortunately cut short due to thumb surgery, but projects to be back well before next season.

Tier 2

3. Ronny Mauricio*, SS, 21, Double-A
Mauricio was absolutely elite in the recent 2022 Dominican Winter League in which he won league MVP. Mauricio had 54 hits in the DWL which led the league in 47 games. The former top 100 prospect will hopefully now get the respect he deserves and is hoping for another successful season in 2023. Mauricio continues to get bigger and showing power while stealing bases. At Binghamton, he was apart of the 20-20 club (26 HR – 20 SB). The strikeouts need improvement, but Mauricio could possibly be a trade piece for the aggressive Steve Cohen in 2023.

4. Kevin Parada, C, 21, Single-A
The 1st round, 11th overall catcher Parada attended Georgia Tech where his bat was valued slightly higher than his defense. Parada is a decent defender who probably won’t be able to be an everyday catcher, but will definitely find his way in the lineup because of his plate approach. A great hard contact hitter to all fields will definitely hit for average, but don’t be surprised to see 20 homer seasons and some power along the way.

5. Alex Ramirez, OF, 19, Single-A
Ramirez had an excellent season across both levels of Single-A. He enjoyed a blistering hot start in St. Lucie that got him the promotion to Brooklyn. Ramirez stopped striking out and walked slightly more this year. He sported a .281 average across both levels and while he did not hit a ton of homers this year, the extra base hits (30 doubles, 7 triples) stayed consistent and should only improve as his development across the Mets system continues.

6. Jett Williams, SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
Another one of the Mets 1st round draft choices of 2022, Jett was drafted 14th overall from Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. Jett stands at 5’8” and weighs 175 pounds, very Nick Madrigal esque. He is an extremely talented hitter that almost never swings and misses against any velocity. His plate approach is very strong with quick hands and consistent hard batted balls that result in clean line drives to all fields. The guess is that he is hoping to stay at shortstop but due to his size he can move to second if needed down the road. Potential to be a true mix of Madrigal and Steven Kwan.

7. Blade Tidwell, RHP, 21, Single-A
A strong 2022 draft class brought along righty Tidwell from Tennessee in the second round. Tidwell throws four different pitches featuring a great fastball and nice complimentary sliders/changeups that generate the swing and misses. He has the traditional starter build and projects to be a mid to back end starter as of now. Past shoulder tendinitis and inconsistent command is probably something to keep an eye on in his journey, but isn’t a huge concern right now.

8. Dominic Hamel, RHP, 23, Single-A
One of my favorite prospects in the organization, Hamel uses his elite spin rate on all pitches to get by hitters. He was named Mets’ organizational pitcher of the year after throwing 119 innings with 145 strikeouts while holding his opponents to a .196 average across both Single-A levels. Hamel is an analytical dream and projects to be a mid rotation starter if the continued development goes as planned. Check out my interview and breakdown with him last spring!

9. Mark Vientos*, 1B/3B, 23, MLB
Vientos struggled at the beginning of the season with Syracuse but by the end he was so dominant that he got the call to Queens. Vientos had a hard time in his 16 games, hitting only .167 and striking out 12 times. The hitting and power tools are evident but with a high strikeout rate and low defensive ceiling, it is unclear where his future stands with the Mets. As of now, he projects to be infield/DH depth at the start of the 2023 season.

Tier 3

10. Calvin Ziegler, RHP, 20, Single-A
Ziegler threw his first innings of his career in 2022 in St. Lucie where he had a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts. He held his opponents to a .166 average but had 35 walks in 46.2 innings. He was limited this year due to general arm soreness which isn’t a huge concern right now, but his high spin rates on his great pitch mix will continue to develop. Ziegler needs some command help if he wants to continue rising through the system.

11. Matt Allan, RHP, 21, Single-A
Matt Allen has the most interesting case in the Mets organization because he hasn’t pitched since 2019. A once top 5 prospect, Allen continues to slip due to his multiple arm procedures. He looked decent in his 10.1 innings in 2019 with great fastball potential. He projects to be ready for the 2023 season and can fly up the list if he performs without any injury. Definitely one to watch.

12. Mike Vasil, RHP, 22, Single-A
Vasil has risen up through the organization prospect ranks after a great 2022 debut season. The strong 6’5” starter pitched to a 3.53 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 17 starts (71.1 IP). He was apart of the rising stars game in the AFL this year featuring his four pitch mix, beginning with his speedy four seam. Right now, it’s probably best to project him as a back end starter.

13. Jose Butto*, RHP, 24, MLB
Butto got his first taste of the MLB out of necessity and unfortunately struggled. However, he pitched excellent in his 7 starts in Syracuse before getting the call. His 2.45 ERA with 30 strikeouts was probably one of the better statistical pitching lines in Syracuse this year. His excellent changeup keeps batter in check and some more fine tuning on that fastball and curveball could send him back to Queens as a bullpen piece to show he is ready.

14. Joel Diaz, RHP, 18, Single-A
Surprise! Another Mets right handed pitcher! After an amazing 2021 season, Diaz shot up rankings and was moved straight up to St. Lucie. His 2022 was inconsistent and nothing close to his breakout the year before. He is only 18 years old so it’s not concerning because the development will hopefully come. Before moving up, Diaz will have to show his ability to command the zone and consistently throw strikes. Another one to watch for sure.

15. Nick Morabito, OF, 19, Rookie (FCL)
Morabito was drafted 75th overall in the 2022 draft out of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. He is listed as an outfielder, however he played SS in high school but it is unclear as of now where he will play. That’s the least of the worry at the moment because of his smooth swing and speed on the base paths. The 5’11” right hander consistently makes hard contact with underrated pop. He had a tough go in rookie ball but there is confidence he will rise up the organization.

16. Jacob Reimer, 3B, 18, Rookie (FCL)
Reimer was drafted in the 4th round of the 2022 draft. His hitting and power are definitely his best tools with consistent hard contact. His plate approach is great and he shortens up with two strikes fairly well. In his 7 rookie games, he had 6 hits, 6 walks and only 3 strikeouts in 23 at bats. He played SS in high school but has moved to third and will be interesting to see if that changes during his rise through the organization.

17. Willy Fanas, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
Fanas, a member of the 2022 international signing class, debuted this year in the DSL. His early showing of athleticism helped him quickly rise up the system ranks. Fanas is still filling out and could be developed to have an above average power tool. Fañas has true 5 tool potential as a center fielder and a decent arm. He could give up some speed when filling out as well as a position change but this is an exciting case to watch as his development continues.

18. Simon Juan, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
The 2022 Mets top international signee struggled a bit this summer at the DSL. The 6’2” prospect shows great power and speed already at 17 years old. He hit .219 and stole 16 bases along with 14 extra base hits (2 HR) in 201 at bats. There is no limit to his upside being only 17 and the Mets will take their time with an exciting player like Juan.

Tier 4

19. Jesus Baez, SS/3B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
20. Eric Orze, RHP, 25, Triple-A
21. Wyatt Young, 2B/SS, 23, Triple-A
22. JT Schwartz, 1B/3B, 23, Single-A
23. Grant Hartwig, RHP, 25, Triple-A
24. Zach Greene*, RHP, 26, Triple-A
25. Javier Atencio, LHP, 21, Single-A
26. Christian Scott, RHP, 23, Single-A
27. Luis Rodriguez, LHP, 19, Rookie (FCL)
28. Daniel Juarez, LHP, 22, Single-A
29. Stanley Consuegra, OF, 22, Single-A
30. Bryce Montes de Oca*, RHP, 26, MLB
31. Omar De Los Santos, OF, 23, Single-A
32. Junior Santos, RHP, 21, Single-A
33. Khalil Lee*, OF, 25, MLB
34. Hayden Senger, C, 25, Triple-A
35. Jordany Ventura, RHP, 22, Single-A
36. Robert Dominguez, RHP, 20, Rookie (FCL)
37. D’Andre Smith, SS/2B, 21, Single-A

Baez, another 2022 international signee, showed some of his potential at the DSL this year. He hit .242 with 7 HR and 8 SB in 186 at bats. Orze, a two time cancer survivor, looks to provide pitching depth in Syracuse and possibly the major league level. He will most likely be a bullpen guy with a strong delivery and an elite wipeout splitter that has a high swing and miss rate. Young burst onto the scene in 2022 playing across three different levels as a contact guy with a great plate approach. Young walks a decent amount (70 in 536 PA) and tallied over 100+ hits this year. Hartwig was nothing short of spectacular this year with a 1.75 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 39 games. His slider generates tons of strikes and his 6’5″ figure helps him tower over opponents with decent control. Greene was taken in this year’s Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees and will probably pitch in the majors this year. He has some control issues and walks a ton but has great pitches in his bag with interesting mechanics, working on the first base side of the rubber out of the stretch. Montes de Oca saw major league time this year with his 100+ MPH fastball and enjoyed a decent year across two levels. De Los Santos stole 70 bases this year and if he can get the strikeouts down (151), he will become a tier 2-3 player for sure.

Tier 5

38. Jose Peroza, 2B/3B, 22, Single-A
39. Daison Acosta, RHP, 24, Single-A
40. Josh Walker, LHP, 28, Triple-A
41. Kevin Kendall, 2B/SS, 23, Single-A
42. Carlos Cortes, 2B/OF, 25, Triple-A
43. Nick Meyer, C, 25, Triple-A
44. Joander Suarez, RHP, 22, Single-A
45. Jawilme Ramirez, RHP, 21, Single-A
46. Dangelo Sarmiento, 2B/SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
47. Cristofer Gomez, RHP, 19, Rookie (DSL)
48. Yohairo Cuevas, 1B/OF, 19, Rookie (DSL)
49. William Lugo, INF, 21, Single-A
50. Jaylen Palmer, 3B/OF, 22, Single-A

Cortes and Palmer fell hard in the 2023 rankings due to very rough years. They hit below .230 in their respective levels total. but both will probably need to pick it up to stay in the Mets Top 50. Walker, a rare left hander in the system, had a great showing in the AFL this year. He struck out 14 in 9.1 innings. Ramirez pitched to a 0.78 ERA across two levels this year. He is only 21 years old and has a long road ahead but a promising showing in the DSL this year. Gomez had a 0.40 ERA, 37 strikeouts and a .110 BA Against in 22.2 innings. He has been dominant so far but it is too early to tell before more development and pitching against higher competition. Cuevas led the DSL Mets in hits this year. The tall first baseman born in New York has a lot to go in his career path, but notable start early.

Philip Frank
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