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MMN 2019 Top 50 Prospects: 50-46 Led By Versatile Paez

By John Sheridan

January 14, 2019 No comments

David Thompson/Photo by Jennifer Nieves

50. David Thompson

Position: 3B B/T: R/R Age: 8/28/93 (25)
Acquired: 2015 Fourth Round Draft Pick from the University of Miami
Previous Rank: 48
2018 Stats (Las Vegas): 25 G, 86 PA, 78 AB, 11 R, 6 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB/2 CS, .244/.314/.359

Thompson’s 2017 power surge did not carry forward into the Pacific Coast League and injuries were likely the reason why. When healthy, he’s shown the range to play third, but with multiple shoulder surgeries, his arm may play a bit short.

Arguably, there’s some late career potential with him in that the contact skills and power potential are there and his need to put injuries behind him to have a chance to break out. He’s going to face an uphill climb to do that as the Mets have stockpiled depth this offseason, which may even stand in his way of getting regular at-bats in Triple-A.

49. David Roseboom

Position: RP B/T: L/L Age: 5/17/92 (26)
Acquired: 2014 17th Round Draft Pick from University of South Carolina
2018 Stats (Binghamton & Las Vegas): 3-3, 3.71 ERA, 43 G, SV, 53.1 IP, 1.313 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 11.1 K/9

While many are happy with the Mets switch Triple-A affiliates from Las Vegas to Syracuse, it’s possible no one is happier than Roseboom. Over the past two years, Roseboom has a 2.26 ERA with Binghamton and a 9.86 ERA with Las Vegas.

In the more favorable pitching environment, we see a pitcher who utilizes an above average change-up and slider with a low 90s fastball to rack up strikeouts. With the change-up, he can keep right-handed batters honest making him potentially more than just a LOOGY. In fact, he’s traditionally been better against right-handed than left-handed batters.

However, for him to be even that, he’s going to have to cut down on his walks. He’s previously shown that ability, so there’s hope he can do it again.

Nick Meyer/Photo by Shotgun Spratling D1Baseball

48. Nick Meyer

Position: C B/T: R/R Age: 2/18/97 (21)
Acquired: 2018 Sixth Round Draft Pick from California Polytechnic University
2018 Stats (Brooklyn): 43 G, 149 PA, 137 AB, 15 R, 31 H, 4 2B, 3B, 9 RBI, .226/.275/.270

From a strictly defensive perspective, Meyer is everything you want in a catcher. He’s agile, a great receiver, has a strong arm with good pop times, is intelligent, and has every intangible you’d want. He’s the guy you want behind the plate when your pitcher is on the mound.

As confident as you are in his work behind the plate, you have as many concerns about his hitting. He has a contact oriented approach and very little power. He may not strike out, but he’s also not drawing walks. While you have hope he can hit just enough to even be a backup catcher at the Major League level, his performance in Brooklyn did cast some doubts on that happening.

Still, his college coaches lauded his intelligence and work ethic leaving legitimate hope he will take strides forward next year.

47. Jose Butto

Position: SP B/T: R/R Age: 3/19/98 (20)
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent from Venezuela (June 2017)
Stats (Kingsport & Brooklyn): 4-2, 3.86 ERA, 12 G, 11 GS, 60.2 IP, 1.319 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

After posting a 1.44 ERA in the Dominican Summer League in 2017, the Mets thought enough of him and his mid 90s fastball to not only invite him to the Instructional League, but to also bring him stateside.

He rewarded the Mets faith in him with an excellent stint in Kingsport. If he qualified, his 1.93 ERA would have led the league. Unfortunately, his success did not follow him to Brooklyn.

One interesting quirk with him is he was much better at home than on the road. When pitching at home, he had a 1.30 ERA as opposed to a 7.27 ERA on the road.

If he can pitch more like the guy he was during home starts, he could potential shift his long-term outlook from reliever to back-end starter.

Michael Paez/Photo by Ed Delany

46. Michael Paez

Position: 2B/3B B/T: R/R Age: 12/8/94 (24)
Acquired: 2016 Fourth Round Draft Pick from Coastal Carolina University
2018 Stats (St. Lucie): 121 G, 468 PA, 408 AB, 54 R, 20 2B, 11 HR, 48 RBI, .270/.340/.404

With his diminutive 5’8″ frame, the relatively diminutive Paez shows good pop at the plate. Part of the reason for that is Paez doesn’t get cheated at the plate is his swinging hard. To his credit, this has not come at the expense of contact as he has posted very good strikeout rates as a professional.

Two times we’ve seen this approach work. In the first half of 2017, he led the Sally League in doubles leading to not just an All-Star nod, but also a promotion to St. Lucie. Paez struggled in St. Lucie in the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018.

At the end of June, something clicked again. From June 27 until the end of the season, he hit .299/.374/.462. When he hits like this, the Mets are going to find a position from him.

On that front, he likely doesn’t have the arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield. That said he has the range to play anywhere on the infield with second base being his best position.

There is a potential game changer with Paez as he’s been working out with St. Lucie Manager Chad Kreuter to become a catcher. Time will tell if this is him working on versatility or him moving to another position. Given his agility and tenacity, he could very well succeed behind the plate.

It’s a smart move for him and the Mets given the relative depth at the middle infield and catching positions in the organization.

Editor’s Note: Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn, Luis Santana, Ross Adolph, Bobby Wahl, Adam Hill and Felix Valerio were all in our original Top 50 before they were traded.