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Mets Top 30 Prospects for 2021: 15-11 Showcases Raw Youngsters

By Doug M

April 14, 2021 No comments

15. Alexander Ramirez, OF

B/T: R/R    Age: 18 (1/13/2003)
Height: 6’3″  Weight: 175 lbs
ETA: 2025   Previous Rank: 19
Acquired: International Free Agent (7/2019) $2.05M
Stats: N/A

Every system has it’s lottery tickets, and you never know when a $5 scratch-off will yield you a nice return. But the Mets handed Alexander Ramirez over $2 million to sign with the organization as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, because they saw the underlying foundation of a mega-millions winner, so to speak.

The ideally-framed Ramirez projects to add up to 30 lbs of muscle as he matures, adding more strength to further enable what is already plus bat speed. He also runs well enough to project to play centerfield. Equipped with one of the more exciting power/speed combinations in the lower minors, let alone the Mets organization, Ramirez is ready to open eyes and possibly blow up prospect lists this coming season.

While the pandemic washed out what would have been his first exposure to professional baseball, and rid us all of the chance to learn anything about his hit tool, the 18-year-old Ramirez has ample time to develop into what the Mets hope will become an all-star level talent.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

14. Junior Santos, RHP

B/T: R/R  Age: 19 (8/16/2001)
Height: 6’8″   Weight: 218 lbs
ETA: 2024   Previous Rank: 14
Acquired: International Free Agent, 2017 ($275K)
Stats: (2019) 40.2 IP, 5.09 ERA, .277 AVG, 1.75 WHIP, 36 K, 5.57 FIP

It may be starting to feel like Santos’ size isn’t the only thing that belies his given name, but so also goes his status among the most interesting arms in the Mets farms system for the last few years. After being excitedly rushed stateside in 2018, the still teenaged behemoth’s development took a step sideways in 2019, which like most younger prospects, has been the last we really saw or heard of him.

After flashing upper 90’s cheese in his stateside debut, his sophomore season saw Santos’ velocity regress a few ticks into the 89-93 mph range. Still, his frame portends all kinds of possible velocity gains, and the nascent feel for spin and turning over a changeup are still there.

Santos’ struggles in 2019 can be easily traced to being unable to locate his pitches competitively. This is still very much a projection arm, but it is way too early to give up on the substantial upside, especially given Santos’ precocious feel to locate his fastball in his debut season.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

13. Shervyen Newton, IF

B/T: S/R   Age: 21 (4/24/99)
Height: 6’4″  Weight: 180 lbs
ETA: 2023   Previous Rank: 8
Acquired: International Free Agent, 2015 ($50K)
Stats: (2019) 209 AVG, .283 OBP, .330 SLG, 15 2B, 9 HR, 8.7 BB%, 32.9 K%, 81 wRC+

It’s easy for prospect fatigue to set in when waiting for ball players like Newton to fully actuate their potential, especially at these unsightly strikeout rates. Turning 22 years old later this month, the time is drawing nigh for the enigmatic infielder to make more contact as he continues his foray against full season competition.

But as usual, Newton offers as much upside as any player in the Mets system if he can put the ball into play enough. Though he’s built like a tight end, his actions and range at shortstop are considered sufficient for him to stay there, and he could likely handle third base well if not. His raw juice with the stick is up there in Vientos-Baty-Palmer territory, so it will still be some time before the organization gives up on unlocking Newton’s potential.

That journey will likely continue this year at either Low-A St. Lucie or perhaps high-A Brooklyn.

12. Robert Dominguez, RHP

B/T: R/R   Age: 19 (11/30/2001)
Height: 6’4″   Weight: 200 lbs
ETA: 2024   Previous Rank: 30
Acquired: International Free Agent, 2019 ($95K)
Stats: N/A

The Mets may have caught lightning in a bottle with Robert Dominguez, when the tall right-hander starting adding multiple ticks of velocity late in the 2019-2020 international signing period. The Mets jumped on the opportunity to add Dominguez once he was showing newly discovered mid 90’s heat, and then were rewarded handsomely when he started showing 99 mph with his fastball and flashing a plus breaking ball shortly after signing.

Dominguez did not come stateside for instructs last Fall, and how he is filling out his big frame and showing feel to locate or throw a changeup is anybody’s guess. But when you can flirt with triple digits, there will be plenty of eyes. Look for Dominguez to draw those eyes first at extended spring training, with an assignment to one of the Gulf Coast League teams this summer surely to follow.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

11. Franklyn Kilome, RHP

B/T: R/R   Age: 25 (6/25/1995)
Height: 6’6″   Weight: 175 lbs
ETA: 2021    Previous Rank: 12
Acquired: Trade from Philadelphia for Asdrubal Cabrera (7/28/2018)
Stats: (2020 MLB) 11.1 IP, 11.12 ERA, 9.28 FIP, 2.03 WHIP, 7.1 BB/9, 10.3K/9

Kilome’s raw stuff has long been enticing, going back to his status as a top arm in the Philadelphia system. He looked to be making gains with command and improved feel for his changeup after coming over in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade with the Phillies in the summer of 2018, pitching for double-A Binghamton.

Unfortunately, every pitcher’s 12-18 month nemesis, Tommy John stopped Kilome’s progress in it’s tracks, and he missed the entire 2019 season while recovering from surgery. 2020 saw Kilome make his Major League debut, and one could generously call the brief 11 inning stint a mixed bag.

Kilome still boasts a downer curve that draws positive eyeball reviews for it’s shape, though it doesn’t light up the eyes of analysts quite as much with it’s mediocre spin rate. Kilome’s velocity on his fastball did recover well into the mid 90’s, and the best news of all is that his changeup has maintained well as a viable third big league offering.

The biggest question that will determine Kilome’s ultimate role in the big leagues, and on the Mets 40-man roster, is his command of his altogether pretty impressive repertoire. Poor command did him in during his first taste against big league hitters last summer, and will absolutely have to improve to solidify himself as a presence in Luis Rojas‘ big league pen, which is the most likely destination for Kilome, despite being groomed to this point as a starting pitcher.

However, we are about to find out if Kilome can take that next and final step in his maturation this summer. Currently pitching at the Mets alternate site, look for Kilome to break camp this May as part of the triple A Syracuse Mets rotation. (Kilome has been designated for assignment since the writing of this article).

Mets Top 30 Prospects: 30-26

Mets Top Prospects: 25-21

Mets Top Prospects 20-16