Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
As the 2018 Minor League Seasons comes to an end, the Mets Minors staff made an All-Star team of minor leaguers. This list is strictly based on offensive numbers, age and prospect status did not play a role into our decisions. We want to give recognition to all players that had a good season in the minors. Please pay attention to this when seeing the shortstop.
Catcher
Height/Weight: 6’0, 251 LBs
Date of Birth: 12/21/1998
Stats: .333/.420/.573, 9 HR, 17 2B, 14.7% strikeout rate, 9.8% walk rate
As you might be able to tell, he certainly does not lack size. It might eventually force him off the dish but until now, his offense earns him the spot on the roster. He will likely begin 2018 on the state side after spending all of 2018 in DSL. He was moved up to the GCL roster but never got an at-bat with them. The rest of the catchers in the Mets system are mostly defense first guys like Tomas Nido and Ali Sanchez. Juan Uriate missed all of 2018 with an injury but is definitely someone who has the chance to stick behind the plate and is not just a glove-only player. Regnault never showed much before this season so maintaining is the big key to gain some more recognition as a prospect.
First Base
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 245 LBs
Date of Birth: 12/7/1994
Stats (AA/AAA): .285/.395/.579, 36 HR, 31 2B, 22.3% strikeout rate, 13.2% walk rate
You have probably heard a lot about Alonso by now. He hits the ball really hard, his power is very much legitimate, and there will be problems with his glove. Defense at first base is overrated but it still might be the thing that forces Alonso to a DH position. Alonso could very easily be starting at first by next May or he could be traded in the offseason. Neither move would surprise me. If he is starting for the Mets, sit back and enjoy the offense.
Second Base
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 LBs
Date of Birth: 4/8/1992
Stats (AA/AAA): .342/.411/.617, 19 HR, 26 2B, 12% strikeout rate, 9.4% walk rate
Not a huge surprise here. McNeil raked in 2018 after missing most of 2016 and 2017 with injuries. He has also hit in the Majors and is definitely a good piece for 2019. McNeil altered his swing before 2018 to lift the ball more and as a plus, he has been able to maintain his high contact rate. That combo plays anywhere. I would be all for letting him be the 2019 second baseman and I hope the Mets just let their younger guys play as opposed to signing some older person to take reps from them.
Shortstop
Heigh/Weight: 6’4, 180 LBs
Date of Birth: 4/24/1999
Stats (Kingsport): .280/.408/.449, 5 HR, 16 2B, 31.6% strikeout rate, 17.3% walk rate
No, he’s not a better prospect than Andres Gimenez. He is a legit prospect though who can hit and has raw power. The strikeouts are a little high but he has athleticism and has great plate discipline. His 2019 season will likely depend on how his Spring goes but I think Columbia is a reasonable expectation. He will likely be moved off shortstop due to his size and other prospects but he should be able to handle the outfield just fine.
Third Base
Heigh/Weight: 6’4″, 185
Date of Birth: 12/11/1999
Stats (Kingsport): .287/.389/.489, 11 HR, 12 2B, 16.4% strikeout rate, 14.1% walk rate
Vientos showed exactly why so many are really excited by him. He showed great plate discipline at the age of 18 and showed some plus power in the process. The Mets have changed his swing up and the results have been very good. Eric Logenhagen of Fangraphs writes, “His stance has opened up and his hands set up in a way that has enabled him to lift the ball better than he did in high school, especially pitches on the inner half. His hands are more alive and powerful than they were a year ago, and Vientos has launched balls out the other way even when he doesn’t fully square them up.” Vientos should be a good defensive third baseman after being moved off shortstop. Lot to like about this kid and his future.
Outfielders
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 196 LBs
Date of Birth: 7/16/1999
Stats(GCL/Kingsport): .286/.371/.468, 6 HR, 10 2B, 19.9% strikeout rate, 10.4% walk rate
Kelenic really impressed in his first run at professional ball. His exit velocity was very much legit and he has a sound hit tool. The only reason he fell to the Mets was questions about his hit tool because he opted to play travel ball in his senior year. This decision was due to the weather challenges of Wisconsin. Even in his initial struggles at Kingsport, Kelenic was not striking out a ton and still had a solid walk rate. After that normalized, he got back to raking and earned himself a spot on this list. Defensively, he should be able to handle CF just fine and his arm strength is off the charts. He could (should) be in Columbia to begin 2019.
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 203 LBs
Date of Birth: 12/17/1996
Stats (Brooklyn): .276/.348/.509, 7 HR, 9 2B, 12 3B, 14/17 SB
Adolph has the tools and showed them off in Brooklyn. He homered thrice in the NYPL All-Star game and it got him some well deserved attention. He possess above average speed and also showed solid power in Brooklyn. He has the profile to play center and should begin 2019 in St. Lucie. Kudos to the Mets scouting department on this pick.
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 180 LBs
Date of Birth: 12/30/1988
Stats (AAA): .264/.332/.580, 15 HR, 16 2B, 31.3% strikeout rate, 8.9% walk rate
Well, the Mets had to replace Travis Taijeron eventually. His high strikeout rate and low-OBP in an environment did not help his chances of making the Majors nor did his injuries. The former 2010 first rounder has a ceiling of a lefty masher with a lot of strikeouts.
