Jose Medina (Jacob Resnick/Mets Minors)
As part of their recap of the 2018 season, Baseball America has named Jose Medina as the 20th best prospect from the New York-Penn League. With this being his breakout season, it should not come as no surprise he would be included in these rankings. As Baseball America explains, this happened because Medina finally was able to translate his potential into performance:
He is known for having a good bat that features a short stroke. He currently hits mostly for gap power, but he should continue to develop more power as he physically matures. Medina roams the outfield as an above-average runner with a plus arm.
He has continued to make more contact, which has helped him to hit for more power. “He has a lively body and carries himself like a ballplayer”, said one scout.
With Medina maturing and developing, he set career highs in doubles, homers, extra base hits, slugging, and OPS. Overall, he hit .271/.342/.429 with 16 doubles, a triple, five homers, and 32 RBI. He would finish the season fifth in the leagues in doubles and tenth in slugging. All told, Medina certainly merited inclusion on these rankings.
While Medina being included was no surprise, what was a surprise was to see Ross Adolph‘s name omitted from the rankings. In 61 games, Adolph hit .276/.348/.509 with nine doubles, 12 homers, seven homers, and 35 RBI with 14 stolen bases. He would be in the Top 10 in the league in many offensive categories including his leading the league in triples.
Adolph would not just be an All-Star, but also the All-Star Game MVP. Moreover, he was named as the 2018 Sterling Award winner for the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Even with the snubbing of Adolph, the overriding sentiment is the Mets are beginning to develop real outfield talent in their farm system. Both Medina and Adolph are coming off good seasons, and we should see them translate this success to full season affiliates next year. If they do so, we can then begin contemplating timetables as to when they will impact players at the Major League level.
