Photo by Ernest Dove
MiLB.com is running a series ranking the Top 10 organizations within a particular subset of prospect rankings. With respect to position prospects, the Mets organization was ranked 10th with MiLB.com stating:
Amed Rosario, MLB.com’s No. 5 overall prospect, and Dominic Smith (No. 63) — both at big league camp — made the 2016 Double-A Binghamton season something special following the arrival of the latter from Class A Advanced St. Lucie in late June. Rosario, a shortstop who turned 21 in November, batted .324/.374/.459 with 19 stolen bases and 13 triples across the two levels, while Smith, a 21-year-old first baseman, was good for a .302/.367/.457 line with 14 homers, 29 doubles and 91 RBIs in 130 Eastern League games. They may spend significant time in the Majors this year and certainly have the potential to affect the NL East for several seasons to come. Gavin Cecchini, a “greater than the sum of his parts” middle infielder, already made an impact there, enjoying the stretch run with New York last year. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo raked against PCL pitching last year and batted .274 in 32 big league games. He’s ready when there’s an opening for him, even if it’s as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Don’t sleep on 2015 second-rounder Desmond Lindsay as a speedy center fielder who posted a .418 OBP in 32 games for Class A Short Season Brooklyn last summer.
One thing not specifically noted in the articles was just how close to major league ready some of the Mets top position player prospects are.
For example, the Opening Day lineup for the Las Vegas 51s very well may be: 1B Dominic Smith, 2B Gavin Cecchini, 3B, T.J. Rivera, and SS Amed Rosario. In terms of prospect rankings, Rivera is probably the least regarded of that group, and we saw Rivera become a major contributor for the Mets down the stretch as the team captured the top Wild Card spot.
Given the injury issues the Mets team has entering the 2017 season, it is possible each and everyone of these prospects expected to begin the season this season in Las Vegas will reach the majors. More importantly, those players should be significant contributors when their opportunity arises. Certainly, these players are arguably closer to the majors than those prospects on the Phillies (ranked fifth) and Braves (ranked third).
This should get you excited about the Mets in 2017 and for the years to come.
What is the probability Rosario, Smith, and Cecchini could all be OD starters in 2018? Is it a possibility if those three get some MLB experience this year? I think thise three should be the future.
Really depends on if Mets extend Walker at 2B and what they do with Cabrera. I would bet against all 3 being the OD starters though.
Zero. Barring something very unforeseen they will try to hold out Rosario and Smith for 3 weeks to get the extra year of control. But as to your real question, it’s possible but would likely take Conforto and d’Arnaud having solid years this year, or Cecchini establishing himself this year somehow as there are likely only so many untested rookies they Mets will be comfortable relying on for a team that has championship aspirations.
Let’s be objective here: Walker is a better player than Cecchini is expected to be. However, I see Checcini taking Flores’ role and Flores being moved. Flores is now in getting more expensive via arbitration and has decent value as a middle infielder with pop. I love Flores, but don’t see him finishing the season on the Mets. Collins won’t give him a chance and we know the Coupons won’t pay a backup more than they have to.