One position that the Mets seem to continue to produce from their farm system has been second base. Major League products have come from players with humble expectations. The last few years have given us the undrafted, 28-year old rookie T.J. Rivera, and Jeff McNeil, who only played 51 games between the 2016 and 2017 seasons due to injuries, and debuted at the age of 26.
Despite recent promotions, there remains real second second base talent in the Mets farm system. We here at Mets Minors had our vote for our top five second basemen in the Mets farm system, and these were the results.
No. 5 Felix Valerio
Age: December 26, 2000 (17) Bats/Throws: R/R Level: DSL Mets 1 & 2
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic (3/22/2018)
2018 Stats: .319/.409/.433, 17 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 16 SB, 6 CS
Valerio is a recent bonus baby who made his had a good debut in the Dominican Summer League. During the season, he exhibited a good contact approach at the plate. In fact, Valerio had 13 more walks than he did strikeouts all year. He was able to put a high rate of balls in play, mostly on the ground, and he was able to get on base at a good clip because of his speed. It will be interesting to see how he develops those speed and contact skills when he plays stateside next season.
No. 4 Luis Carpio
Age: July 11, 1997 (21) B/T: R/R Level: St. Lucie & Binghamton
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent from Venezuela (7/11/2013)
Stats: .219/.290/.364, 21 2B, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 9 SB, 9 CS
Once considered one of the top prospects in the Mets farm system, Carpio is now two years separated from a surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, and he took some steps towards re-establishing himself. Notably, Carpio hit for more power than we have ever seen from him with him setting career highs in doubles, homers, extra base hits, and slugging.
The most encouraging thing with Carprio is how he picked things up in July. In that month, he would hit .313/.364/.505. Over his final 49 games of the season, he hit .239/.307/.411, which is skewed downward by a .263 BABIP. More than the numbers, we saw a player who was regaining strength in that surgically repaired shoulder, which once again makes him a player to keep an eye on over the next season.
No. 3 Carlos Cortes
Age: June 30, 1997 (21) B/T: L/S Level: Brooklyn
Acquired: Mets 2018 Third Round Draft Pick from the University of South Carolina
2018 Stats: .264/.338/.382, 5 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, SB
The Mets finally got their man in Cortes. After originally drafting him in the 20th round of the 2016 draft, the Mets drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 draft and gave him an overslot bonus to entice him to forego his senior year of college.
The most interesting thing about Cortes is he’s an ambidextrous thrower. In the outfield, he is his more natural left-handed, but in the infield, he is a right-handed thrower who plays second base. In drafting him, the Mets wanted him for second base, and they have played him there exclusively. Regardless of where he plays, the Mets like him for his bat.
Offensively, Cortes has the tools you are looking for in a good hitter. He has a short swing with some power, and he has good plate discipline. The issue for him at times is he can fall into deep slumps, and at times, he sacrifices contact for power. Still, when he’s in a groove, he’s quite the hitter. For example, after a period adapting to Brooklyn, Cortes would hit .289/.359/.433 in August.
No. 2 Gavin Cecchini
Age: December 22, 1993 (24) B/T: R/R Level: Las Vegas
Acquired: Mets 2012 First Round Draft Pick from Alfred M. Barbie High School (Lake Charles, LA)
2018 Stats: .301/.347/.469, 11 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, SB, CS
Cecchini lost a massive opportunity this season when his season was effectively ended on May9 when he was hit by a pitch on his foot. At the time, Cecchini was putting on a good enough show to merit a call up, and as we saw with Jeff McNeil, there was going to be a real opportunity for a player to prove he could stick at the Major League level due to injuries to T.J. Rivera and the Mets trading Asdrubal Cabrera to the Phillies.
The once glove-first shortstop prospect has become more of a bat-first solid second baseman. Cecchini’s stock had dropped quite a bit after a subpar showing in AAA Las Vegas in 2017 hitting ..267/.329/.380 in 497 plate appearances, and an even worse showing when he was called up later in the season hitting .208/.256/.273 in 82 plate appearances between two stints in the major leagues. There was also some prospect fatigue setting in with him.
However, Cecchini had shown he had made real strides before the injury. Entering the 2018 season, he had worked hard on his game retooling his swing while working on his defense and quickness. He had a strong Spring Training and month plus in Triple-A. If he’s healthy, he could reasonably reproduce that level of output. If so, at some point in 2019, he should find himself with an opportunity to prove he can play at the Major League level.
No. 1 Luis Santana
Age: July, 20, 1999 (19) B/T: R/R Level: Kingsport
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic (7/15/2016
2018 Stats: .348/.446/.471, 13 2B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 8 SB, 3 CS
Entering the season, Santana was the Mets prospect many believed would break-out, and Santana would prove may people right. Santana would finish in the top 10 in hits, doubles, batting average, OBP, and OPS. The reason why he had such a terrific season is he’s the equivalent of a jack-in-a-box swing mechanic, as he ties everything back very compact, then explodes forward with a quick bat and strong hands. Overall, he has a very advanced approach at the plate with some sneaky power.
Defensively, Santana is going to stay at second base due to his arm strength not profiling on the left side of the infield. In terms of his defense, he is not a flashy defender, but he is a steady one. In fact, he has shown an ability to get to the balls he should, and he does make all the plays you would expect a second baseman to make.
Overall, Santana is a player who keeps getting the most out of his natural talent despite not being blessed with height or overwhelming speed. He has also shown an ability to improve and adjust. This makes Santana one of the younger bright spots in this Mets farm.
Previous Rankings
