I’ve strayed from the path of most picked players, and I think it’s time to add an update: Catcher Zack Collins is the most picked player in the mocks so far (4), and as we see what’s been happening on the field for the Mets, as far as catching depth, that has dwindled since Travis d’Arnaud has proved injury prone and the book is still out on Plawecki. I believe it’s high time to write up on a potential catcher.

This mock was produced as the most recent updated mock by Fueled By Sports. Collins is a first-round caliber catcher who was a teammate of Mets 2015 Fourth Rounder, third baseman David Thompson. At the University of Miami prior to last year’s draft, he was second to Thompson in home runs with 15.

#19 Zack Collins, University of Miami

First thing’s first: The guy can hit. He has been compared to Kyle Schwarber as that advanced bat with plus power that he hasn’t fully tapped into yet. He has plus bat speed and above-average to plus power, the ability to hit for a high average, and will produce great OBP numbers due to a great eye. The question is whether he’ll tap into the plus power, or settle for above-average, but he is definitely the best offensive catcher in this draft. This year, he is hitting .417/.580/.713 in 39 games with nine home runs, and a walk to strikeout comparison of 48/25. He’s putting up numbers even video games envy in college right now.

As a catcher, there are questions as to him actually staying at the position, considering that he has been shaky in general. He was a first baseman in high school and switched to catching during college, and had not been considered a great catcher defensively. This year, Baseball America stated they believe he had turned a corner, and that he is improving in his defense considerably. Right now it stands at below average in terms of receiving, but he has been working hard, and is starting to practice pitch framing to set an easier target. He does have a plus arm with a quick release, which makes his case for catching professionally better.

In terms of the Mets current model of walks and power, this is their type of guy. They need one, especially with a quick release to control the bases.

This mock also went all the way to the 2nd round, so I’m going to talk about the other two guys that Fueled for Sports mocked the Mets to pick at #31 and #64

#31 LHP Jesus Luzardo, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) HS: He has been mocked to the Mets quite a few times so far, and is a fringe first-round arm in general. At 6’1″ 205, he’s reported as physically mature and unlikely to have much in the tank in terms of adding velocity. Last spring he was starting to throw in the mid-90’s and according to Baseball America touched 97, but it was possible that was a result of possibly too much effort as he tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John Surgery. In addition to his fastball that was 88-91 and touching 94 in the past summer, he has an above average curveball and changeup. He is considered very advanced for his age with great control, so he may move fast after he recovers from Tommy John Surgery, and projects as a mid-rotation pitcher.

I personally wouldn’t be thrilled with a limited ceiling starter, but the advanced ability is intriguing, especially from the left side.

#64 SS Luis Curbelo, Cocoa HS (Florida): For people in the know, Curbelo should come as no surprise as he headed a Mets Scout-run Puerto Rican Prospect team that played in Jupiter, as well as Puerto Rico. Curbelo moved from the Puerto Rican Baseball Academy, Carlos Correa’s former High School, to Cocoa High School in Florida for his senior year. The shortstop has above-average bat speed from the right side, that produces some pretty loud contact, with power that is below-average right now, but could possibly get to above-average with some good coaching. As a fielder, he doesn’t have the greatest actions and he’s an average runner with an average arm, but he could move to the hot corner. He sounds like a guy that should be available in round 2 with some untapped potential. I’d prefer an outfielder though.

With this pick Curbelo would be the highest ever draft of a Puerto Rican Native by the Mets. Javier Rodriguez was the prior highest at #68.

Draft picks as of 5/4

C Zack Collins 4, RHP Connor Jones 3, 3B/RHP Josh Lowe 2, 3B Nick Senzel 2, RHP Cal Quantrill 2, 3B Nolan Jones 2, 3B Bobby Dalbec 2, 1B/OF Will Benson 2,  RHP Alex Speas 1, LHP Jeff Belge 1, SS Drew Mendoza 2,  RHP Ian Anderson 1, RHP Kevin Gowdy 1. C Chris Okey 1, OF Kyle Mercer 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1, OF Nick Banks 1, OF Avery Tuck 1,  RHP Daulton Jeffries 1, RHP Alec Hansen 1, RHP Austin Bergner 1, OF Bryan Reynolds 1, OF Alex Kirilloff 1, OF Buddy Reed 1

Comp Pick:

LHP Jesus Luzardo 3, C Chris Okey 2,  RHP Zach Jackson 2, RHP Logan Shore 1, RHP Robert Tyler 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1,  3B/RHP David Lowe 1,  LHP Eric Lauer 1, RHP Alex Speas 1, RHP Zach Bergner 1, 3B Will Craig 1, LHP Braxton Garrett 1, OF Heath Quinn 1, RHP Ian Anderson 1, , RHP Kevin Gowdy 1, 3B/SS Carter Kieboom 1, OF Will Benson 1

Round 2:

SS Luis Curbelo 2, SS Grant Bodison 1, RHP Drake Fellows 2, RHP Wil Crowe 1, C Ben Rortvedt 1