#30 SS Milton Ramos

HT: 5’11 WT: 180 Level: Low-A Columbia

B/T: R/R Age: 8/26/1995 (20) Age Dif: -1.4

Acquired: Selected in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft from American Heritage HS (FL).

Preseason Rank: #19

2016 Statistics: 284 AB, 64 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 29 RBI, 24 BB, 70 K, 3 SB, .225/.294/.278

Profile: Nobody expected Ramos’ bat to outshine his glove coming out of high school, but he has put together a brutal season at the plate in 2016, his first above rookie ball. The Mets chose to have Ramos skip Brooklyn after he hit .317 in Kingsport last season, but his average has since plummeted. However, his walk rate has gone up, leaving hope that he may eventually get on base at a somewhat decent clip.

In the field, Ramos’ glove has been as advertised and is what carries his prospect value. The defense may not be hurting him, but the question on Ramos is how far it will take him. The offensive struggles led to an 11 spot drop in our rankings.

What’s Next: Ramos may be called to repeat Columbia next year, or St. Lucie if he finishes the year strong.

#29 2B/SS Michael Paez

HT: 5’8″ WT: 175 Level: Short-Season A Brooklyn

B/T: R/R Age: 12/8/1994 (21) Age Dif: 0.0

Acquired: Selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft from Coastal Carolina.

Preseason Rank: N/A

2016 Statistics: 68 AB, 14 H, 5 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 7 BB, 19 K, 2 SB, .208/.286/.324

Profile: Only a select few can say they were NCAA national champions, but Paez brings that winning mentality with him to the organization. The Chanticleer shortstop has shifted over to second base with Brooklyn, and there has been nothing to complain about there so far. The turf field at MCU Park tends to give first year players fits, but the 21-year-old has been spotless.

When the Mets took Paez this year, the early comparisons were to Dilson Herrera, which is both accurate and familiar to Mets fans. At only 5’8″ Paez hit 15 long balls this year at Coastal Carolina, and like Herrera, uses a home run swing. As he improved his home run totals, Paez has struck out more, evidenced by his early returns with Brooklyn.

What’s Next: He’ll continue to get his feet wet with the Cyclones and head to Columbia in 2017.

#28 LHP PJ Conlon

Ht: 5’11”  Wt: 190  Level: High-A St. Lucie Mets

B/T:  L/L  Age: 11/11/1993 (22)  Age Dif: -1.1

Acquired: Selected in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft

Preseason Rank: #71

2016 Statistics: 11-2, 1.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 120.1 IP, 103 H, 16 BB, 92 K

Profile: The Belfast, Ireland born southpaw pitched out of the Brooklyn bullpen last season and did so with success. His move to the Columbia rotation to start the season surprised a few, but has been an outstanding move as the SAL All-Star was promoted to St. Lucie for the second half. Where he has continued to dominate.  

He does it with the command of a veteran, (selected among the best in the system in the pre-season here at MMN) not a guy 13 months into his pro career. He can throw four pitches for strikes, (really five, since he will show you two different fastballs). His fastball will top out at 91-92 and sit consistently at 87-90, a changeup that grades as plus; bordering plus plus. An average slider with a curveball that is a little better than a show me pitch.

He has a much more advanced approach on the mound than most guys in the major leagues. In a recent interview with Fangraphs;

“I can take something away from an outing like that. Velocity isn’t necessarily what gets guys out. Guys get themselves out all the time. You can frustrate hitters. If they don’t know what’s coming, and they’re not getting what they like to see… like I said, I’m changing speeds and trying to keep hitters off balance.”  

Adding “If I’m down on the count 2-0, I might throw my two-seam 86 and let him beat it into the ground. He’s looking fastball, so rather than humping up and trying to throw it by him, I’ll dial it down below the hitting speed and let him get himself out.”

He has been given a future LOOGY label, though it may be a bit premature, with his Colon like method throwing strikes (1.2 BB/9 in his career) he has been comped to Jamie Moyer.  

What’s Next:  As he has surpassed 120 innings on the season, I would expect him to finish the season in High-A with a spot waiting for him in the Binghamton rotation in 2017. He really won’t be tested until then as his command is just that much better than the competition.

#27 RHP Harol Gonzalez

HT: 6’0″ WT: 170 Level: Short-Season A Brooklyn

B/T: R/R Age: 3/2/1995 (21) Age Dif: -0.4

Acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent on March 26, 2014.

Preseason Rank: #45

2016 Statistics: 9 GS, 4-1, 1.77 ERA, 56 IP, 37 H, 11 R/11 ER, 67 K, 12 BB, 1 HR, .184 BAA, 0.88 WHIP

Profile: In a season that has seen the Cyclones stacked with top prospects, yet fail to see results, the one constant has been Gonzalez, who is 4-1 with a 1.77 ERA through nine starts. He’s taken off this season, leading the New York-Penn League with 67 strikeouts, which is already a career high.

The slender right-hander’s fastball sits from 88-90 miles per hour, although he has been able to reach 94 at times. He mixes speeds with a plus changeup and a curveball, which is still developing. Gonzalez has been successful by putting a little extra velocity on his pitches when he needs to, and taking some off when the situation calls for it. He possesses uncanny instincts and knowledge for a pitcher his age, and should throw harder as his body fills out.

What’s Next: It would not be a shock to see Gonzalez earn a few starts in Columbia before the end of the season and start there next year.

#26 3B/1B Jhoan Urena

HT: 6’1″ WT: 230 Level: Hi-A St. Lucie

B/T: S/R Age: 9/1/1994 (21) Age Dif: -1.7

Acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent on September 8, 2011.

Preseason Rank: #13

2016 Statistics: 314 AB, 67 H, 12 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 29 BB, 59 K, .213/.277/.331

Profile: Big things were expected from Urena in 2016, but he hasn’t rebounded from an injury plagued 2015. He’s making less contact, striking out more, and has seen his average dip to an unsightly .216. On a positive note, Urena has already set his career high with seven home runs, so his strongest tool is still developing. At 21, Urena has always been younger than league average, and has plenty of time to return to his top prospect form like 2014, when he hit .300 with Brooklyn.

In the field, Urena has always been able to handle third base at the least, but he may be forced off the position if his range doesn’t improve. When the Mets promoted David Thompson to St. Lucie, Urena began to see some time at first base, so that may be an option for him going forward.

What’s Next: He likely won’t repeat St. Lucie a third time, but a strong finish will certainly help his case for a promotion to Binghamton.

Previous Rankings: 50-41, 40-31