A little foreshadowing of things to come here at MMN. All the players covered here are ranked below 25 in my own personal contribution to the Mets Minors top 100. Which if the calendar holds, will be running regularly between December 1 and March 1.

The players listed are not my speculation into who will be the next Thomas Szapucki and rise to the ranks as the next top prospect, nor the quickest to reach the majors. What this list is are players on my radar for next season who can ascend into conversation of future contributors.

Nabil Crismatt – The 2012 IFA out of Columbia has performed well at each stop along the way. He offers three pitches that grade out as average or better. His fastball was sitting 91-92 in his last start at Binghamton to end his season. This after reportedly pitching at 88-89 in Brooklyn and Columbia, where his prospect status continued to pick up steam. Crismatt, 21, also throws a slurvy curveball that can be tightened up, it grades better than a show me pitch and is serviceable. His best pitch though is a late breaking plus changeup that dominated the lower levels.

Jordan Humphreys – The 18th round selection in the 2015 amateur draft moved to the Kingsport Mets rotation after spending his draft season in the GCL bullpen. The 6”2” righty hailing from Mike Hampton’s hometown of Crystal River, Florida did so in successful fashion.

While pitching in Kingsport in 2016 meant playing in the lingering shadows of the shining star that is Thomas Szapucki, Humphreys had an excellent season of his own. Humphreys, 20, led the Appalachian League in strikeouts with 76, to go with top ten finishes in innings pitched, ERA and WHIP. Humphreys features a heavy fastball that sits in the low 90s, an improving change-up, and a work in progress breaking ball. Sporting an impressive 10.2 k/9 on the year, he like Szapucki, finished the season in Brooklyn as well.

Ranfy Adon – Hailing from the Dominican Republic, the 19-year old had an inauspicious stateside debut. Hitting a not-so robust .195 with a .271 slugging percentage. With plus speed, plus raw power, and an above average arm, he is completely projectable. The tools are present in the center fielder’s 6’3” frame that if it comes together he will be special. He is my selection for the meaningless, just created, “Ivan Wilson award” given to the Mets prospect who scouts love to dream on.

Photo by Ed Delany

Joseph Zanghi – He signed with the Mets after going unsigned by the Reds who selected him in the 24th round of the 2015 draft. He was a high school catcher (Perfect Game listed him as the #1 catcher in Connecticut) who only pitched in three games as a college freshman.

A transfer to JuCo level Cumberland County College and a move to the mound full-time has found himself a permanent home on the bump. He offers a fastball that sits in the mid to upper nineties, and a solid slider, and an effective change-up. After striking out 45 in 29.1 innings as the Cyclones closer he should find himself in Columbia to start the 2017 season. With his three pitch arsenal I wonder if the organization toys with the idea of him moving to the rotation.  Recently he was courteous enough to grant an interview to MMN.

Yeffrey De Aza – One of the 2013 IFA signees, along with Ali Sanchez, Ricardo Cespedes, and Luis Carpio, and typical of the front office modus operandi a shortstop. The soon to be 20-year old (Jan 17) De Aza, is every part of his 6’0”, 205 frame suggest.

In 2016 he struggled in his first exposure to the Appalachian league with a .199/.235/.255 slash line. Watching him though you can see the bat speed is there to project a solid bat, with surprising power. He plays an average defense, and has plus, though not burner speed. His eventual home is probably either second or third, though he will continue to get reps at shortstop until a move is forced.

With around 90 days until pitchers and catchers report, these are some of the players I will be keeping an eye on in the back fields. Listening for reports on them and how they look coming out of the winter.