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MMN Midseason Top Mets 50 Prospects: #50-41

By John Sasso

July 25, 2016 8 Comments

john mora

Our MMN midseason top 50 Mets prospects kicks off with numbers 50-41. A lot has changed since we did the off-season top 80 here at MMN. Namely the draft, a few trades, injuries, and an infusion of writers (and therefore opinions) here at MMN. Without further ado, our top 50….

#50 OF John Mora

Ht: 5’10″  Wt: 165  Level: St. Lucie Mets High-A  

B/T: L/L  Age: 5/31/1993(23) Age Dif: 0.3

Acquired: Signed in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic

Preseason Rank: #25  

2016 Statistics:  91 G, 328 AB, 41 R, 82 H, 11 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 5 SB, 5 CS, 39 BB/48 K, .250/.334/.320

Profile: An easy to root for, good guy with a “do everything fairly well, without a standout tool” prospect. Mora was recently named the St. Lucie Player of the Month by the organization.

He plays a passable CF, though not quite good enough to be an everyday CF. Nor does he project to have enough power for an everyday corner spot.  Could grow into a table setter with solid on-base skills and average hit tool. I don’t like to say “future 4th OF upside” on any prospect, but it is a reasonable expectation of Mora’s outcome. BA’s Matt Eddy comped him to Endy Chavez minus the raw speed.

What’s Next: Finish the season in St. Lucie and in the mix for Binghamton next season.

#49 RHP Kevin McGowan

Ht: 6’6”  Wt: 215 Level: Binghamton Mets  B/T: R/R  Age: 10/18/1991(24) Age Dif: -0.6

Acquired: Drafted by the NY Mets in the 13th round of the 2013 Amatuer Draft out of Franklin Pierce University

Preseason Rank: Unranked

2016 Statistics: 28 G/3 GS, 54.2 IP, 3-0, 2 S, 1.32 ERA, .860 WHIP, .191 BAA, 55 K/10 BB

Profile: The 2014 SAL All Star is taking the next steps in his development, McGowan sits consistently in the mid 90s with his fastball and his changeup keeps batters off balance. He quickly earned his promotion to Binghamton this year, where he is one of manager Pedro Lopez go to guys. Even though he has a few spot starts this year, his future as a major league middle reliever.  He also gets bonus points for wearing stir-ups.   

What’s Next: Finish the season in Binghamton, with a possible Vegas playoff roster addition. He is among those who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft.

Alberto Baldonado 1 (1)

Photo by Ernest Dove

#48 LHP Alberto Baldonado

Ht: 6’2”  Wt: 160 Level: Binghamton Mets AA B/T: L/L  Age: 2/1/1993 (23) Age Dif: -1.6

Acquired: Signed as an IFA out of Panama in 2009

Preseason Rank: #80

2016 Statistics: 32 G/0 GS, 39.1 IP, 0-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, .248 BAA, 45 K/22 BB

Profile: After dominating the FSL, Baldonado quickly moved to the revamped Binghamton bullpen. Where he has struggled to find the strike zone consistently. A future as a LOOGY with his low to mid 90s fastball and a good curveball that just needs to harness his control.

What’s Next: Binghamton to finish the year. He is another pitcher who needs to be added to the 40 this year as a seven year minor league FA.

#47 OF Champ Stuart

Ht: 6’0”  Wt: 175  Level: Binghamton Mets AA  B/T: R/R  Age: 10/11/1992(23) Age Dif: -1.4

Acquired: Drafted by the NY Mets in the 6th round of the 2013 draft out of Brevard College

Preseason Rank: #60  

2016 Statistics: 82 G, 322 AB, 55 R, 86 H 11 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 29 SB, 3 CS, 34 BB/115 K, .267/.343/.404

Profile: He started the season repeating High A, and did not disappoint, having eclipsed his career highs in hits, doubles, triples and HR in just a half of a season. A true burner, Stuart possesses the best foot speed in the system. The tools are there for him to be the best defensive center field in the system as well. 

There is enough pop in the bat to think he could be more than a pinch runner at the major league level. Translating those tools to the diamond has been the issue but he is making progress. He is still striking out at a 31% clip, though that is a drastic improvement on the 37% whiff rate of last season. 

What’s Next: Finish the season at Binghamton, he should get a full calendar year there. Though he is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this season, and he could get added just on his plus plus tool (possible for playoffs where his speed could make the difference).

#46 OF Edinson Valdez

Ht: 6’3”  Wt: 194  Level: DSL Mets1  B/T: R/R  Age: 1/22/1999 Age Dif: -1.2

Acquired: Signed in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic

Preseason Rank: Unranked

2016 Statistics: 38 G, 137 AB, 24 R, 45 H, 5 2B, 3B,  HR, 27 RBI, 3 SB, 3 CS, 11 BB, 17 K, .328/.387/.401

Profile: His signing did not get the press of Andres Gimenez or his Academy classmate, Gregory Guerrero, but his play is quickly putting him on the map, as his DSL All Star selection indicates. Tall and lean, he has a quick bat and showed some impressive power in batting practice, and hit his first career HR this week. Equipped with a strong arm and deceptive speed, he is presenting all five tools in the Dominican Summer League. Where he was recently “promoted” from DSL Mets2 to Mets1.

What’s Next: He will finish the season in the Dominican, with the GCL in the horizon.

#45 LHP Sixto Torres

Ht: 6’4”  Wt: 220 Level: Kingsport Mets B/T: L/L  Age: 3/31/1996 (20) Age Dif: -1.0

Acquired: Selected by the NY Mets in the 17th round of the 2015 draft out of Faith Baptist Christian School

Preseason Rank: Unranked

2016 Statistics: 4 G/2 GS, 19 IP, 2-1, 1.89 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, .203 BAA, 21 K/7 BB

Profile:  Tall lefty with a low 90s fastball, solid changeup, and developing curve. Baseball America had him ranked 174 out of 500 in the 2015 draft. Being a year older than most HS graduates helped him drop in the draft. On top of his 80 grade name, John Sickles had this to say pre-2015 draft:

Sixto Torres, LHP, Faith Baptist Christian School, Brandon, Florida: Alabama State commit, mature body generates 90-94 heat, command and secondary pitches need polish but size (6-4, 220) and strength could make him a mid-rotation arm if it all comes together. TT: Third round.”

He was just promoted after dominating the GCL to start the season, cutting his walks down to 3.3/9.  

What’s Next: He should be on his way to  finish the season in Kingsport. 

Photo by Allen Greene Photography

Photo by Allen Greene Photography

#44 2B Walter Rasquin

Ht: 5’9”  Wt: 160  Level: Kingsport Mets  B/T: R/R  Age: 3/21/1996 (20) Age Dif: -0.6

Acquired: Signed as an IFA in 2013 out of Valenzuela for $140,000

Preseason Rank: #61

2016 Statistics: 19 G, 69 AB, 8 R, 26 H, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 4 SB, 2 CS, 9 BB/10K, .3/.459/.508

Profile: A stocky infielder who has played some 1B, 2B, 3B, C, and even pitched a few games in his brief minor league career. He has played more and more second base this year where his body is more prototypical. All he has done is hit.

With a line drive swing and a solid approach at the plate he will drive the ball gap to gap with more power than you would expect from the diminutive Venezuelan. More quick than fast, he won’t hurt you on the base paths and will steal some bases.

What’s Next: He should probably be in Brooklyn, though will have to wait until the infield backlog created from the draft is cleared up by promotions.

#43 RHP Nabil Crismatt

Ht: 6’1”  Wt: 197 Level: Brooklyn Cyclones SS A Ball B/T: R/R  Age: 12/25/1994 Age Dif: -0.4

Acquired: Signed out of Columbia in 2011

Preseason Rank: #50

2016 Statistics: 6 G/3 GS, 22 IP, 0-1, 3.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, .195 BAA, 20 K/4 BB

Profile: A few were surprised he didn’t start the season in Columbia, Nabil is part of the impressive Brooklyn rotation. He consistently throws strikes with his three pitch mix, a solid low 90s FB, a plus change-up, and above average curve ball. He is still converting to starting and may eventually end up back in the bullpen where he may gain a tick or two on the radar gun.

What’s Next: Columbia is on the horizon

#42 SS/3B Kenny Hernandez

Ht: 6’2”  Wt: 175  Level: GCL Mets  B/T: L/R  Age: 8/13/1998 (17) Age Dif: -2.5

Acquired: Signed as an IFA in 2014 for $1,000,000

Preseason Rank: #40

2016 Statistics: 8 G, 32 AB, 3 R, 8 H, 2 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3 BB/7 K, .250/.314/.313

Profile: That he is a 17-year old playing stateside should tell you more than a stat line does. When signed he was thought as having the “best pure swings” among the IFA class, and that report hasn’t changed. After initially struggling last year in the Dominican he has settled down and played well. Although he is primarily playing SS, he has grown two inches and gained 15 pounds since signing, increasing the chances he moves to third full time in the future. 

What’s Next: Really is no rush, Kingsport next season

#41 RHP Colin Holderman

Ht: 6’5″  Wt: 220  Level: Kingsport Mets  B/T: R/R  Age: 10/8/1995 (20) Age Dif: -1.0

Acquired: Selected by NY Mets in the 9th round of the 2016 draft from Heartland Community College

Preseason Rank: Unranked

2016 Statistics: 6 G/0 GS, 6.2 IP, 1-0, 1 S, 1.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .231 BAA, 3 K/3 BB

Profile: Holderman is holding his own in Kingsport,  allowing the first run of the season in his last outing. He sits in the low 90s with his fastball, and possesses a low 80s slider that was graded as plus prior to the draft. With his build and age, it is not a stretch to anticipate a few extra MPH on this fastball as he matures.  He utilizes his height well to hide the ball through his delivery. 

What’s Next: After a college season, he will stay in Kingsport for the season to manage his innings yet get the work in. Next spring he will be in the conversation for Columbia, though Brooklyn is the most likely destination

15 Players who just missed but warranted consideration:

IF Phillip EvansRHP Paul SewaldOF Raul Beracierta3B Matt ObersteC Patrick Mazeika2B Vinny SienaRHP Logan TaylorIF Yeffry De Aza2B Franklin CorreaRHP Jordan Humphreys, RHP Matt Cleveland, RHP Ricky Knapp, RHP Adonis Uceta, RHP Luis Mateo, RHP Alex Palsha

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