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MMN 2018 Midseason Top Prospects: 30-21 Features Multiple Bullpen Arms

By Dilip Sridhar

August 2, 2018 No comments

Ali Sanchez/Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

No. 30 Ali Sanchez, C

Ht: R/R Wt: 196 lb. Level: St. Lucie

B/T: R/R Age: 1/20/97 (21) Age Dif: -1.4

Acquired: Signed 2013 (690K Bonus)

2018 Stats: 71 G, 281 PA, 15 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 28 RBI, .267/.299/.387

Previous Rank49

The young catcher is known for his plus defense behind the plate with a strong arm, regarded as a good receiver and moves well behind the plate as well. The big key for Sanchez is that he has yet to be placed on the disabled list and has already played a career-high 71 games. Sanchez slashed .288/.319/.394 for the month of July and had three walks compared to only three strikeouts. He has a contact oriented approach at the plate, but has shown raw power in BP that could show in games soon.

No. 29 Chris Viall, RHP

Ht: 6’9″ Wt: 253 lb. Level: Columbia

B/T: R/R Age: 9/28/95 (23) Age Dif: 0.1

Acquired: 2016 Sixth Round Draft Pick from Stanford University

2018 Stats: 3-6, 4.84 ERA, 13 G, 13 GS, 57.2 IP, 1.526 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9, 12.4 K/9

Previous Rank: 44

Every organization has a guy who throws really (emphasis on really) hard, walks a lot of guys, and strikes out a lot of guys. Chris Viall is that guy for the Mets. The California native has arguably the best fastball in the system, but he has to really work on it if he wants to remain in the rotation. He also has a tight curve that flashes plus at times. Ultimately, injuries and walks could force him to the bullpen, but the stuff is what makes him so intriguing as a starter.

No. 28 Stanley Consuegra, OF

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 167 lb. Level: GCL

B/T: R/R Age: 9/24/00 (17) Age Dif: -2.7

Acquired: Signed 2017 ($500K bonus)

2018 Stats: 45 G, 199 PA, 175 AB, 26 R, 35 H, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB, CS, .200/.286/.365

Previous Rank: Unranked

Conseugra is a really raw prospect with a very fun projectable skillset. His arm and glove got great reviews when the Mets signed him. Like Juan Lagares before him, he was originally a shortstop who has been moved to the outfield. As an outfielder, he could have an impact glove when it is all said and done. He makes a lot of loud contact too which gives him a chance to produce offensively.

No. 27 Gerson Bautista, RHP

Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 195 lb. Level: Binghamton, Las Vegas, MLB

B/T: R/R Age: 5/31/95 (23) Age Dif: -3.6 (Las Vegas)

Acquired: Acquired from the Red Sox along with Stephen Nogosek and Jamie Callahan for Addison Reed(7/31/17)

2018 MiLB Stats: 2-1, 5.06 ERA, 27 G, 37.1 IP, 1.661 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 11.8 K/9

2018 MLB Stats: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 5 G, 4.1 IP, 3.000 WHIP, 10.4 BB/9, 6.2 K/9

Previous Rank16

Bautista’s MLB stint did not inspire confidence, but he still throws the ball extremely hard. More importantly, his walks have gone down this season while the strikeouts have gone up. Bautista had a 0.42 FIP in Binghamton and has a 3.24 FIP in Las Vegas, so his ugly ERA might be due to come down. As a result, he is really pitching much better than his stats seem to indicate. Still needs better command of his slider to make him an option in a major league bullpen.

Photo by Ed Delany/MMO

No. 26 Eric Hanhold, RHP

Ht: 6’5″ Wt: 220 lb. Level: Binghamton & Las Vegas

B/T: R/R Age: 11/1/93 (24) Age Dif: -2.6 (Las Vegas)

Acquired: Acquired as the player to be named from the Brewers in exchange for Neil Walker. (8/12/17)

2018 Stats: 3-2, 4.46 ERA, 24 G, 34.1 IP, 1.311 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 11.3 K/9

Previous Rank: Unranked

Hanhold throws an 96-98 MPH sinker which is very difficult for batters to lift. As a result, he has allowed only two homers this year after giving up just three l;ast season. He also mixes in a sharp slider that he uses as his swing and miss pitch. Given his pure stuff and his trajectory, it is possible he would be in the majors right now if not for a June injury. If and when he does get to the majors, he has the type of stuff which will translate well to MLB success.

Francisco Alvarez/Photo by Baseball America

No. 25 Fransisco Alvarez, C

Ht: 5’11″ Wt: 220 lb. Level: N/A

B/T: R/R Age: 11/19/01 (16) Age Dif: N/A

Acquired: Signed from Venezuela in 2018.

2018 Stats: N/A

The Mets top 2018 international signee received a franchise record $2.7 million dollars from the Mets, breaking Ronny Mauricio‘s previous record of $2.1 million. With his glove a work-in-progress, his offense is what has scouts intrigued but his glove is a work in progress. Overall, there is real value in catchers who can hit well making Alvarez a real promising prospect.

No. 24 Tony Dibrell, RHP

Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 190 lb. Level: Columbia

B/T: R/R Age: 11/8/95 (22) Age Dif: 0.1

Acquired: Drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

2018 Stats: 4-5, 3.16 ERA, 18 G, 18 GS, 102.2 IP, 1.266 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 10.5 K/9

Previous Rank: Unranked

Dibrell is gaining some momentum on the prospect lists. He can reach 96 MPH while mostly sitting at 93-94. He features an 11-5 curve and throws a hard cutter. While walks have traditionally been an issue for him, he has taken strides recently in reducing the number of free passes he issues. While he has the stuff which could be lethal in the bullpen, so long as he continues to limit his walks and strike out batters at a high rate, he will stay in the rotation.

 

No. 23 Drew Smith, RHP

Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 195 lb. Level: Binghamton, Las Vegas, MLB

B/T: R/R Age: 9/24/93 (24) Age Dif: -4.3 (MLB)

Acquired: Acquired from the Rays in exchange for Lucas Duda (7/27/17)

2018 MiLB Stats: 5-1, 2.68 ERA, 25 G, 37 IP, 1.108 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 8.8 K/9

2018 MLB Stats: 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 5 G, 5.0 IP, 1.800 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 3.6 K/9

Previous Rank: 23

Smith was the most polished reliever the team obtained at the 2017 deadline, and it has shown with him pitching about as well as anyone can pitch in Las Vegas. Smith has been able to generate outs with a decent curve and a fastball which he can ramp up to 98 MPH. It is the type of stuff which translates well to the Major Leagues. He just needs to get more of a chance during the final two months to prove he can do it.

No. 22 Jordan Humphreys, RHP

Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 223 lb. Level: N/A

B/T: R/R Age: 6/11/96 (23) Age Dif: N/A

Acquired: 2015 Ninth Round Draft Pick from Crystal River High School (Crystal River, FL)

2018 Stats: N/A

Previous Rank: 18

Humphreys is missing all of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. He had a breakout 2017 in terms of his stuff and his stats. He has a solid arsenal of pitches and his fastball saw a jump in velocity in 2017, which is why he started appearing on more prospect lists. Hopefully he will be ready to start the 2019 season and pick up where he left off.

No 21. Tyler Bashlor, RHP

Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 195 lb. Level: Binghamton & MLB

B/T: R/R Age: 4/16/93 (25) Age Dif: -3.3 (MLB)

Acquired: 2013 11th Round Draft Pick from Calvary Day Baptist (Savannah, GA)

2018 MiLB Stats: 0-3, 2.63 ERA, 20 G, 24.0 IP, 1.083 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9, 11.3 K/9

2018 MLB Stats: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 7 G, 11.2 IP, 1.714 WHIP, 6.2 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

Previous Rank: 14

Bashlor’s fastball touches 98 MPH and he flashes a really solid curve. He uses the combination to generate huge strikeout numbers, but he has also struggled commanding the pitches leading to him issuing too many walks. So far, he has not been able to generate the same strikeout numbers in the majors, but he has also been used sparingly. Hopefully, with him getting more consistent work and his working with Dave Eiland and Mickey Callaway over the final two months, he will be able to harness his stuff better.

We previously ranked the top 50-41 and 40-31 with a few notable names like Carlos CortesLuis Carpio and David Thompson.