The Binghamton Mets have released their unofficial roster for the start of the 2016 season. They currently have 27 players listed, we will have to wait to see if anyone begins the season on the disabled list or gets bumped to another affiliate roster.

Catchers (3):

Xorge Carrillo – At this point, he is a depth catcher with good defense and a bit of pop.

Raywilly Gomez – Free agent switch-hitting catcher with an 80 name.

Colton Plaia – Organizational guy that was a 2015 FSL all-star.

Infielders (6):

Dominic Smith – Florida State League Player of the Year, and one of the top first base prospects in baseball.

Jeff McNeil – He is a versatile utility infield type that also got some experience in the outfield last season.

L.J. Mazzilli – Will repeat Binghamton after a mostly disappointing season that started with a suspension.

Matt Oberste – First baseman who will DH a bunch this year. Was 3rd in Florida State League in 2015 with his .430 slugging percentage.

Niuman Romero– Utility infield/outfielder free agent veteran that will try to fill Josh Rodriguez role.

Derrik Gibson – Free agent signing in the winter who can play all three outfield positions as well as short, second, and third base.

Outfielders (5):

Jared King– Switch-hitting former 5th rounder who is repeating the level and is a plus defender.

Maikis De La Cruz– Dominican outfielder signed in 2010 who hasn’t hit well but is a plus defender.

Victor Cruzado– Switch-hitter with solid defense in right who has a career .375 on-base percentage in the minors.

Kyle Johnson – Traded to the Mets for Colin Cowgill, he has plus speed and is a solid defender.

Stefan Sabol – The Swingin Samoan who spent parts of last three seasons with the Savannah Sand Gnats.

Pitchers (13): 

Mickey Jannis – A knuckleballer who did well in the AFL. Throws a hard knuckleball and still hits high 80’s with his fastball.

Logan Taylor – Right-hander that throws in the low 90’s, with some interesting stuff. Might be a solid Relief convert in the future.

Robert Gsellman – One of the top right-handed prospects with a low 90’s sinking fastball and plus curveball.

Andrew Barbosa – Tall lefty free agent signing that did well in the Dominican Winter League.

Beck Wheeler – Returns to Binghamton for second year, righty reliever with a good breaking ball.

Akeel Morris – Has held hitters to a .163 average in his pro career, possesses a great changeup. Should be in Vegas soon.

Kyle Regnault – Lefty who closed some for St. Lucie and had a 1.99 ERA in affiliated debut. Former Indy ball pitcher could see some time in B-Mets rotation this year.

Kelly Secrest – Lefty reliever with a low 90’s fastball and slow breaker, he has not allowed a homerun in 82 career innings.

Luis Mateo – Former starter that is working way back from injury, allowed only 12 hits in 22.2 innings last year. Definitely a name to watch with a good fastball.

Mike Hepple – Right-handed contact pitcher that was a 2015 FSL all-star out of the St. Lucie bullpen.

David Roseboom – Lefty that struggled for first time in pro career with St. Lucie last season. Has struck out 94 batters compared to only 24 walks in 85.2 relief innings.

Rainy Lara –  Throws low 90’s with an average slider, repeating Binghamton and should be converted to the bullpen soon.

Tyler Pill – Has pitched part of the last three seasons in Binghamton. Possible convert to position player in the future with his career .422/.426/.578 slash line in 45 at bats.

The player who people will drive to Binghamton watch on this squad is our number 3 prospect Dom Smith. This is the year he will start showing off his power in an environment that is more hitter friendly than his last two stops. It is disappointing to see Amed Rosario starting in St. Lucie as he waits for the northeast weather to heat up.

I’m a little surprised but pleased to Mateo start in Double-A, he could be someone that we are talking about in September as a possible major league bullpen piece. Gsellman is back in AA to work on his breaking ball but should be in Vegas before the all-star break.

Binghamton will begin their season on April 7th at home vs. the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with Gsellman getting the Opening Day start.

The Las Vegas 51s roster is here and Columbia Fireflies preliminary roster is here. Still waiting on the St. Lucie Mets 2016 roster which should be announced tomorrow.