The first of our full season affiliate roster projection comes with a few caveats. Due to the recent spate of injuries at the Major League level, the task of Triple-A roster projections are best left to the seers and prophets. So while I take on this arduous endeavor, I hope to explain my logic well enough to be understood, yet know that understanding said logic is in no way prognosticating.

Catchers

Kevin Plawecki – He’s had issues making consistent contact during his tenure with the Big League club, hopefully he learns how to stay back on the breaking pitches and improves his throwing mechanics behind the plate.

Xorge Carrillo – At almost 28 years old, a big offensive year in Vegas could help him get a major league chance at some point as a defense first backup.

Jeff Glenn – The 51s will carry Glenn off and on as they did last season with him essentially being the teams bullpen catcher/emergency player.

Infielders

Dominic Smith – This blue chipper is a couple productive months away from banging down the doors to Citi Field. His fielding and plate discipline are top notch, but he still needs to be consistently making contact and driving the ball.

Gavin Cecchini – The 23-year old will now begin his full-time transition to second base. He hit .325/.390/.438 in Vegas last year and made a six game cameo in the big leagues.

Phillip Evans – As an above average fielder at both second and third, if Evans continues to refine his offensive approach he could be challenging T.J. Rivera and Matt Reynolds for plate appearances.  If not, he’s a AAA third basemen.

Amed Rosario – Already better than a handful of Major League shortstops, Rosario has the potential to be the “Next Big Thing”.  He too could stand to be more consistent with his swing path.  One thing that really stands out to me is his ability to drive pitches out of the strike zone.

Josh Rodriguez – The minor league veteran was recently signed to return to the Mets organization where he has spent three previous seasons. This move will move L.J. Mazzilli back to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

Matt Reynolds – His 40-man roster spot is starting to slip away from him and after his abysmal spring, I’m uncertain whether the club still see him as more valuable than either Mazzilli or Evans.  He’ll also need to play as much outfield as possible.

Outfielders

Travis Taijeron – A true three true outcome player, the Mets should do him a favor and let him play in Japan or Korea where he could blossom.

Victor Cruzado – Completely under the radar, this guy can switch hit and play all three outfield positions.  Though almost 25 years old, he’s been an above average hitter at every stop in the minors.

Jayce Boyd – Can fill in at first and the corner outfield spots. Purely an org guy.

Brandon Nimmo – Will in all likelihood start the season on the DL. While Nimmo doesn’t have any holes in his game, he also lacks any starlike attributes.  He projects to be a Christian Yelich-lite type player.

Patrick Biondi – Takes the final outfield spot given his age (26), Michael Conforto making Mets Opening Day roster and his lack of prospect standing. Also possible the Mets sign a veteran to fill this last spot.

Starting Pitching

LHP Adam Wilk – Crafty veteran lefty will serve as depth for both the rotation and bullpen.  His K/BB rate at AAA last year was 5.77

RHP Ricky Knapp – Pitched well last year and has earned the chance to be the Mets 10th man up in the rotation.  Given his shortage of stuff, if his command waivers, he will be knocked senseless in the PCL.

LHP Sean Gilmartin – Gilmartin finally pitched for the first time yesterday since March 8, Michael and I were discussing the possibility of the Mets trying to sneak him through waivers. The signing of an Adam Wilk type player, doesn’t bode well for Sean’s future in this organization.

RHP Wilfredo Boscan – He fires across his body which results in his ability to hide the baseball. He also shortarms the ball out of an almost sidearmed delivery, his mid-70’s curveball has almost frisbee like movement.

RHP Donovan Hand – The Mets signed him when camp had already started, but he’s looked good in a couple of minor league spring starts.

Relief Pitching

RHP Erik Goeddel – Seems to be losing confidence in his ability to be a Major Leaguer.  Once armed with a big fastball, he seldom reaches 95-96 MPH these days, not to mention his subpar command.

RHP Paul Sewald – At his best, Sewald will absolutely paralyze right handed hitters. Pitched well this spring and only a matter of time before he gets his big league chance.

RHP Logan Taylor – An over the top delivery, mid-90’s fastball and a decent breaking ball make this guy intriguing.

RHP Kevin McGowan – Stuff wise, McGowan might be a ahead of Logan Taylor, but his command was an issue this spring.

RHP Ben Rowen – A classic submariner who doesn’t throw hard enough to consistently beat Major League hitters.

RHP Chase Bradford – Time is running out for Chasen and as a lesser Sewald, it’s safe to say he’s AAA bullpen fodder.

LHP David Roseboom – Was fantastic as the closer for AA last season, needs to work on his fastball command if he wants to have a brighter big league career than Jack Leathersich.

Tom Gorzelanny – At this point in his career, the last think he needed was to injure his shoulder. Should start the year on the DL and if he ever rediscovers his low-90’s fastball he could figure into the bullpen mix later on in the season.

On the Bubble

Matt Oberste, Casey Delgado, Beck Wheeler, Cory Burns, Luis Mateo, Tyler Pill

I’d get rid of Taijeron in favor of Oberste and stick him in rightfield on the AAA roster.  I have Delgado rated below Boscan, given Boscan’s Major League track record. Pill, Wheeler, Burns and Mateo are not as accomplished and/or talented as the aforementioned bullpen options, though I can see a scenario where Bradford is dropped for Mateo or an additional lefty like Kyle Regnault or even Ben Griset.

Seth Lugo and Rafael Montero are both guys that could land on this roster depending on which on the Mets carry as the longman.

Analysis

This is a deep and talented team which should make Pedro Lopez‘ job, his first as a AAA manager, a lot easier. The rotation lacks that ace starter, but could get starts from Lugo and Montero.

As the Mets farm system continues to churn out top notch, as well as part time players and depth pieces, the Las Vegas 51’s have a good shot at being competitive all season long.  The infield is stacked and the amount of fringe major leaguers on the roster is unparalleled to anything I can remember at Triple-A for the Mets or at any level for that matter.

The 51s have a good mixture of prospect talent and players with major league experience, which is literally the best way to prepare for the long Major League season. Even if injuries pick apart the Mets closely assembled roster, they have plenty of guys who’d relish the opportunity if it came knocking.