A tough 2023 season for the Mets left Steve Cohen with no other choice but to retool the farm system. Three of the top five Mets prospects came from massive deals including Scherzer and Verlander. Through these trades, a good draft and a decent international signing period, the Mets farm system is focused on the future ahead. This system features a great mix of above-average bats towards the top, and righty pitching more towards the middle. Depending on the Mets stance on trying to contend, we could see some of these prospects in the majors sooner rather than later. (@PhilipFrank18)
Eight Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Philip Frank (@PhilipFrank18), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
J15 international signee Yovanny Rodriguez, C would slot somewhere in the 10-15 range if he had been included in these rankings. Look for him to make the midseason update list.
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
1. Luisangel Acuña, SS, 21, Double-A
Does it seem that any prospect fatigue that may have been associated with Acuña and the Rangers, is now non-existent as he’s been moved to the Mets? Once a borderline Top 100 prospect, the 21-year-old is now a borderline Top 30 overall prospect and rising. He’s coming off a 2023 slashline of .294/.359/.410, with 9 HR, 209 TB and 57 SB at Double-A, for both Frisco (before the trade) and Binghamton. As Philip stated in this column’s intro, there’s probably a good chance he arrives in 2024. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
2. Jett Williams, SS, 20, Double-A
Jett’s calling card was his speed and he has not disappointed stealing 45 bases across three levels last year. He was equally impressive with the bat; he struck out 118 times, walked 104, and chipped in 13 home runs, good for an .876 OPS. He will start next year in Double-A and if continues to hit and steal bases like last year he will be pushing for some time at the major league level by early 2025. If his power ticks up even more, his stock will go through the roof. This kid could be special. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 3
3. Drew Gilbert, OF, 23, Double-A
Gilbert was part of the haul from Houston in the Verlander deal earlier this summer. He has a great eye at the plate and a very solid feel for hitting. he also has very good speed which should enable him to steal quite a few bases in the majors. Power may never be a big part of his game but he could get to about 15 home runs per year. With the lack of options at the big league level, there is a strong chance he could appear in the majors sometime this season for a Mets team that’s evaluating what they have for a chance to contend in 2025. (@tonybps1)
4. Ronny Mauricio, 2B/SS/OF, 22, MLB
Mauricio really impressed in 2023. In 490 Triple-A at-bats, he slashed .292/.346/.506 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. He then got the call up to the big leagues and held his own there with a .248 average, two home runs, and seven stolen bases in 101 at-bats. Everything was pointing to Mauricio going into camp this summer with a leg up on a starting role with the Mets. Then while playing winter ball in the Dominican, he suffered a torn ACL that will likely wipe out his entire 2024 season. While this is obviously a huge setback, he is still just 22-years-old and should be able to come back strong. (@JMahyfam)
5. Ryan Clifford, OF/1B, 20, High-A
Clifford, another piece acquired from Houston in the Verlander trade, has sort of the opposite approach at the plate than Gilbert in that he is more power over hit. Clifford has little speed and it’s that power that will be his ticket to the major leagues. He’s also a little farther away from the majors, being 20 years old and hasn’t played above High-A. Look for him to open the season at AA where we can get a better idea of his future potential. (@tonybps1)
6. Colin Houck, SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
Houck has an advanced approach at the plate and a rather quiet swing that allows him to make a ton of contact but has plenty of power too. Yes, like any player drafted out of high school, there are Ks in the bat, but there are enough signs in his game that these will be limited as time goes along and he can develop into a potential plus hitter. The power he won’t quite reach plus but certainly is above average. The question in his game is whether or not he stays at short, where I feel he will never be better than average defensively there. Houck could fit in quite well at third thanks to his strong arm and think his defensive profile could grade out as plus there. Overall, he was a steal at pick 32 for the Mets and should make a full season roster to start the year as he only has nine pro games under his belt thus far. (@ShaunKernahan)
7. Kevin Parada, C, 22, Double-A
The Mets selected the Georgia Tech catcher 11th overall in the 2022 draft, and he’s since risen inside their organization’s top 10. Parada was one of the better bats for any catcher in his class, and although the chase rates were up in 2023, the primary development focus is on his defense. He only caught 18% of runners on stolen base attempts between the three levels he was at last season, so adding arm strength is a must for the Mets. Parada undoubtedly has upside as an everyday catcher, but must show improvement on both sides of the plate this year. (@aj_greene1015)
8. Mike Vasil, RHP, 23, Triple-A
I was expecting to see a Vasil MLB debut in 2023 but that didn’t happen. Will we see that happen in 2024? There’s a good chance. Vasil K’d 138 in 124 IP in 16 starts across Double-A and Triple-A last season, made our Prospects of the Week column a couple of times, and pitched in the Futures Game. Expect the 23-year-old from Boston to begin 2024 with Triple-A Syracuse. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
9. Christian Scott, RHP, 24, Double-A
When four Diamond Duos IV dynasty league owners reach out to me in less than 48 hours with interest in acquiring Scott, it reaffirms why I claimed him in the first place last July. The former 5th round pick (2021) put up a very solid campaign last season, starting 19 games across three levels, posting a 2.57 ERA and 11.0 K/9. It was a very positive bounce back following some struggles in 2022 in A/A+ and the Arizona Fall League. I would put his ETA at 2025 with a full season of AA/AAA ahead of him. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
10. Blade Tidwell, RHP, 22, Double-A
Tidwell took a massive step forward in his second pro year setting him up for an exciting 2024. He followed up an impressive debut in the later half of 2022 with a 3.57 ERA with 153 Ks (second in Mets minors behind Hamel) in 116 innings. Tidwell has a full four pitch arsenal, featuring a high 90s fastball that would definitely be his best pitch if he didn’t also have a two-plane sweeping slider. Sidenote, some control issues were still lingering from his collegiate days. Now he’ll get a shot to pitch on the upper minors against better competition. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 4
11. Alex Ramírez, OF, 21, High-A
12. Marco Vargas, SS, 18, Single-A
13. Dominic Hamel, RHP, 24, Double-A
14. Jacob Reimer, 3B, 19, High-A
15. Brandon Sproat, RHP, 23, College
16. Tyler Stuart, RHP, 24, Double-A
17. Justin Jarvis, RHP, 23, Triple-A
18. Calvin Ziegler, RHP, 21, Single-A
19. Jeremiah Jackson, 3B/2B, 23, Double-A
Ramirez has a good toolset with developing power that will show as he matures. Vargas is a solid hitting MI with some speed to him. Hamel has put up good strikeout numbers and could see some starts in the majors later this year. Reimer has shown a good eye at the plate along with potential for power from the hot corner. Sproat was the team’s 2nd round pick last year, hasn’t pitched in the minors yet, but should remain a starter with the Mets. Stuart has a good feel for two pitches, and if he can refine a third one, could be a solid starter. Jarvis doesn’t have elite velocity but is working on his command to potentially be a backend starter. Ziegler only threw one inning last year before an injury shelved him and struggled with command in 2022. Jackson’s tools haven’t produced great results at the plate until last season when he popped 22 home runs in AA, but with a 32% strikeout rate. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
20. Jesus Baez, SS/2B, 18, Rookie (FCL)
21. Matt Rudick, OF, 25, Double-A
22. Rhylan Thomas, OF, 23, Double-A
23. José Butto, RHP, 25, MLB
24. Luis Rodríguez, RHP, 20, High-A
25. Nick Morabito, OF, 20, Single-A
26. Joel Díaz, RHP, 19, Single-A
27. Matt Allan, RHP, 22, Injured (Short Season-A/NYPL in 2019)
28. Wilfredo Lara, 3B/OF, 19, Single-A
29. Jeffry Rosa, OF, 19, Rookie (DSL)
30. Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
31. Nolan McLean, 3B/RHP, 22, Single-A
32. A.J. Ewing, SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
33. Cam Robinson, RHP, 24, Triple-A
34. Joander Suarez, RHP, 23, Double-A
35. Kade Morris, RHP, 21, Single-A
36. Julio Zayas, C/3B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
37. Boston Baro, SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
38. Franklin Gomez, LHP, 18, Single-A
39. Peyton Battenfield, RHP, 26, MLB
40. Dangelo Sarmiento, SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
41. Layonel Ovalles, RHP, 20, High-A
42. Landon Marceaux, RHP, 24, Double-A
43. Willy Fanas, OF, 20, Rookie (FCL)
44. Stanley Consuegra, OF, 23, High-A
45. Ronald Hernandez, C, 20, Single-A
46. Jordany Ventura, RHP, 23, High-A
47. JT Schwartz, 1B/OF, 1B, Double-A
48. Anthony Baptist, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
49. Grant Hartwig, RHP, 26, MLB
50. Daiverson Gutierrez, C, 18, Rookie (DSL)
Baez has developing power and will work on his hitting tool as he climbs the ladder. Thomas has a good eye at the plate and always hits for a solid average but hasn’t shown a lot of speed or power. Butto struggled in his few innings in the major leagues but his minor league history suggests there could be backend starter potential here. Luis Rodriguez has only thrown 23 innings since being signed in July 2019 because of injuries, but he should be fully healthy going into 2024. Morabito has good all-around tools to be a bench type of player with opportunity for more. Diaz throws hard but struggled in 2022 after a solid showing in Rookie ball the previous year. He missed all of 2023 after Tommy John surgery but should be healthy heading into the year. Allan had a lot of potential when he was picked in round 3 of the 2019 draft but he hasn’t pitched since then because of two injuries. Lara has some good power and should develop his work tool as he matures. Rosa led the DSL with 15 home runs and improved greatly over an average 2022. Keep your eye on him in this tier. Jeremy Rodriguez is a young shortstop who came over in the Pham deal and raked in Rookie ball. McLean is a two way player who struggled at the plate but looked good on the mound last year. Zayas slashed an impressive .307/.368/.517 in Rookie ball after signing in January. Baro was an 8th round pick who didn’t look bad in his 19 at bats in Rookie ball but could add more power as he matures. Gomez has posted great strikeout numbers as a starter and is only 18 years old. Sarmiento struggled last year after a solid debut in 2022 and doesn’t have much power so he has to come around with his bat. Ovalles needs to work on his command as he gains more innings to be able to start in the big leagues. Baptist had an OPS of .903 as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League. Consuegra has good power but has strikeout issues that he has to work on. Schwartz hit 2 homers and knocked in 13 in the Arizona Fall League, and will likely be back in Binghamton to start 2024. (@tonybps1)
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Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
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Philip Frankhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/mets005/
I enjoy seeing how others who aren’t Mets fans rank the system.
Justin Jarvis, Matt Rudick and Landon Marceaux are about 30 spots too high. Joander Suarez, Stanly Consuegra and Ronald Hernandez are too low. Check out Consuegra’s home/road splits. Primed for a big step forward this year when he escapes Brooklyn.
You ranked two of the club’s big 3 IFA signings from a year ago yet somehow left off the one who was most productive – Anthony Babtist – in favor of a guy busted for PEDs and another who put up a .565 OPS in the DSL.
Other notable omissions are Nate Lavender and Paul Gervase.
If any other readers are interested in a Mets’ fan view of the prospects – you can check out this — https://mets360.com/?p=49333
Thanks for the feedback! We appreciate hearing from others, especially fans of specific farm systems. Baptist was an oversight and should have been on our list. He was one of the next group of players after our 50. He’s actually been added in and Larez was removed. Larez should not have been included. As for the others you mention too high, or too low, thank you. Everyone has their own perspectives for ranking prospects, and ours is a collaboration of several prospect writers’ rankings and what’s on the site is our best average rank.