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Guillorme Graduates Mets’ Top 30, Newton Enters

By Sam Lebowitz

June 24, 2018 No comments

Photo By Ernest Dove

With 45 days on the Mets’ Major League roster, slick-fielding infielder Luis Guillorme has graduated from MLB Pipeline‘s ranking of the Mets’ top 30 prospects. Guillorme, 23, has struggled at the dish in his brief stay in the majors. He has hit just .185 with a .476 OPS and an OPS+ of just 36 in just 54 at bats.

However, it is Guillorme’s slick glove that has shown the Mets that he is worth a roster spot. Guillorme is capable of playing shortstop, second base, and third base all with some measure of defensive acumen. Coming up as a shortstop through the minor leagues, Guillorme was believed to be the best defensive player the Mets had in their entire organization. That defensive skill transfers over to the other side of second base, and he has also looked passable at third base despite being inexperienced at the hot corner.

His replacement on MLB Pipeline’s is 19-year-old Dutch infielder Shervyen Newton. The Mets signed the 6’4″ Newton as an international free agent in 2015. Newton should grow into that frame as time progresses, leading some to believe that the switch-hitter has a certain level or projectability. Newton’s tools, specifically his advanced approach at the plate and raw power derived from his large frame, are enticing, and the shortstop is certainly a prospect to watch moving forward.

Newton got off to a slow start in his first season in 2016, hitting just .169 as a 17-year-old. He repeated the Dominican Summer League in 2017 and improved, hitting .311 with an .877 OPS. In 2018, Newton has gotten off to a raging start. Through five games in Kingsport, Newton has hit .500 with five doubles and a triple. He is more than a year younger than the average age in the Appalachian League.