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Baseball America Ranks Gimenez, Alonso, Kelenic In Their Top 100

By John Sheridan

July 18, 2018 No comments

Jarred Kelenic/Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

Entering the 2018 season, the New York Mets lone representative on Baseball America’s Top 100 list was SS Andres Gimenez, and he was ranked just 94th overall. Well, with the Mets prospects performing and developing better than expected, Gimenez has not only jumped more than a few spots, but he also also joined by 1B Peter Alonso and OF Jarred Kelenic on Baseball America‘s midseason Top 100.

With respect to Gimenez, despite being 3.5 years younger than the average Florida State League player, he has played well. In fact, he is currently in the top 10 in doubles (16), triples (4), and stolen bases (26). That’s part of the reason he rose from 94th before the season to 68th in the midseason rankings. In moving him this high, Baseball America stated:

Described as a “ball of dynamite” by one Mets official, Gimenez has a shorter, thicker build than many shortstops but compensates with twitchy athleticism. Scouts expect him to impact the ball more frequently as his body matures and he gains strength in his 20s.

Much like how he joined Gimenez in playing in the Future’s Game, Alonso joins Gimenez on this list. With Alonso setting StatCast records with his Future’s Game homer, and the complete and utter dominance he displayed in the Eastern League, it would have been a complete shock to not see Alonso’s name included. Whereas Baseball America did not see Alonso as a Top 100 prospect before the season, they now see him as a possible 2018 contributor with plus power:

Alonso generates by far the highest exit velocity and has the most power in the Mets system. He looks for pitches to elevate with his plus-plus raw power, and the ball carries to all fields when he connects. In addition to plus game power, Alonso has a chance for an average to above hit tool because he hits the ball hard with frequency and doesn’t swing and miss as much as many sluggers.

Rounding out the Mets entries to Baseball America’s Top 100 is the Kelenic, who was the sixth overall pick from this year’s draft. Since joining the Mets organization, Kelenic is a sensation not only forcing his way to Kingsport after just 12 games in the Gulf Coast League, but also his being named as the 81st best prospect in the game:

One of the most intense players in the class, Kelenic has a fiery demeanor on the field that gives pause for some evaluators, while others who know him have no issues and see his passionate personality as a positive indicator. He lives and breathes baseball and is regularly in his dad’s training facilities in Waukesha, Wis., and also worked out in the same facility as Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt. One of the more polished hitters in the class, Kelenic has the frame and strength to continue to add more power as he gets into player development and could wind up with plus raw power down the road.

Not only did Kelenic round out the Mets portion of the Top 100, he was also the last player from this year’s draft class to make the list. It’s also interesting to note the sixth overall pick from the prior two draft classes failed to make the list.

Overall, Baseball America’s Top 100 is an indication of how far the Mets farm system has come since many were down on them after last season. Their list includes three prospects the Mets and their fans can get excited about. Really, the future of this organization is much brighter than many would have had us believe just a few short months ago.