MLB Pipeline has named RHP Eric Hanhold as the Mets 30th best prospect.  Hanhold was added to their prospect list as RHP Corey Oswalt has had sufficient MLB services to be promoted from the list.

Hanhold, 24, was the player the Mets received from the Brewers in exchange for Neil Walker.  While the deal was consummated last August, Hanhold did not make his Mets organization debut until this year, and he has been quite impressive, especially during his stint with Double-A Binghamton.

In 17 appearances for Binghamton, Hanhold was 3-1 with eight saves, a 2.84 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, and an 11.4 K/9.  This stretch along with his showing better stuff led to his being promoted to Triple-A.  Hanhold’s season had stalled a bit with his suffering an injury, which has kept him out until recently.  With respect to his success this season, MLB Pipeline said:

Hanhold spent the first year-plus of his pro career giving starting a try, but it didn’t really take and a 2017 move to the bullpen suited him and allowed his power arsenal to play up. The big right-hander will now touch 98 mph with excellent life on his fastball, and he was missing more bats than he had previously in his career during his first season in the Mets’ system. He pairs a solid slider, which flashes above-average, with his heater, more than enough for him to hold down a short relief role.

Overall, Hanhold is 3-2 with eight saves, a 4.10 ERA, 1.232 WHIP, and an 11.3 K/9 in 26 appearances split between Gulf Coast, Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Las Vegas.

While Hanhold has certainly earned his spot on this list, his inclusion over RHP Tony Dibrell is a bit of a surprise.  This is especially the case with MLB Pipeline putting Dibrell on their rankings last month prior to their midseason updated prospect lists.

Since the time Dibrell was included he has cut down on his walks while continuing to strike out batters at a high rate.

With other prominent prospects like Jeff McNeil and Drew Smith up in the majors, there will be more promotions from MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list as it is currently comprised which would create the possibility Dibrell could join Hanhold on this list at a later date.