Photo Credit: Allen Greene Photography
81. RHP Chris Viall
Ht: 6’9″ Wt: 230 lb 2016 Level: Kingsport
B/T: R/R Age: 9/28/1995 (21) Age Dif: -1.0
Acquired: Mets 2016 6th Round Draft Pick out of Stanford University
2016 Statistics: 0-2, 6.75 ERA, 9 G, 6 GS, 20.0 IP, 27 K, 1.750 WHIP, 12.2 K/9
Profile: Given his height, it should come as little surprise that Viall has a number of mechanical issues that needs to be addressed. This is compounded by him having a high leg kick making it all the more difficult for him to repeat his delivery. This leads to him having inconsistent release points as well. Overall, this explains his high WHIP from last season.
But when Viall’s mechanics are working well, he’s an imposing figure on the mound and that is not just because of his size. Viall has the ability to ramp up his fastball to 97 MPH. He pairs that with a fairly well developed change-up, and a good curveball. This repertoire is a big reason why he racked up a high number of strikeouts, and why he promises to be a big time strikeout pitcher. The main issue for Viall is where he belongs.
In Stanford, he was eventually transitioned to the bullpen due to his mechanics. With the Mets, he was used in a piggyback starting role pitching no more than 4.1 innings in any game. If the Mets are able to fix his mechanics, he has the tools and the ceiling to be a dominant starting pitcher. If his mechanics aren’t perfected, he could still be a dominant late inning reliever.
Viall had surgery this offseason to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
2017 Outlook: Whether the Mets see him as a starter or a reliever, he could begin the 2017 season with the Brooklyn Cyclones. It is likely he will begin the season in the rotation. If the Mets are able to fix his mechanics, he could very well end the year in Columbia or St. Lucie.
82. LHP Ben Griset
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 190 lb 2016 Level: St. Lucie
B/T: L/L Age: 3/12/1992 (24) Age Dif: 0.9
Acquired: Signed as Minor League Free Agent 1/28/2015
2016 Statistics: 4-2, 1.80 ERA, 32 G, 3 GS, 3 SV, 60.0 IP, 66 K, 1.033 WHIP, 9.9 K/9
Profile: After struggling as a starter in the Tampa Bay Rays farm system, Griset has found a home not only in the bullpen, but also within the Mets organization.
With Griset moving from a starter to a reliever, we have seen an extra couple of MPH on his fastball. Instead of sitting in the high 80s, he is now in the low 90s. His best pitch is a beautiful 12-6 curveball. The combination of pitches along with a herky-jerky motion has kept left-handed hitters at bay. Last season, left-handed batters only hit .157 off of him with no home runs. In addition to the aforementioned fastball-curveball combination, Griset is working on a cutter and change-up which could help him keep right-handed batters at bat.
If he develops either the cutter or the change-up, Griset could be one of those rare left-handed relievers you would entrust to get batters from either side of the plate out. If he doesn’t develop those pitches, Griset still has promise as a LOOGY prospect.
2017 Outlook: After a terrific year in St. Lucie, Griset should begin the year in Binghamton.
83. RHP Briam Campusano
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 175 lb 2016 Level: DSL Mets
B/T: R/R Age: 3/26/1996 (20) Age Dif: 0.9
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2015
2016 Statistics: 4-4, 1.76 ERA, 13 G, 12 GS, 61.1 IP, 59 K, 0.995 WHIP, 8.7 K/9
Profile: Campusano was both old for being signed as an international free agent as well as for someone playing in the Dominican Summer Leagues. With that in mind, you would expect a player like Campusano to dominate the competition, which Campusano definitively did. Coming off that strong season, the Mets brought him stateside to participate in the Instructional Leagues.
Campusano uses a fastball in the 90-93 MPH range and tops out at 94 with it. His best secondary pitch is a curveball and he throws a changeup as well, both pitches he used more than most pitchers in the DSL.
2017 Outlook: Given his production, Campusano should be stateside for years to come. Campusano could begin the 2017 season with Kingsport.
Photo by Ed Delany
84. UTIL Kevin Taylor
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 195 lbs 2016 Level: St. Lucie
B/T: L/R Age: 7/13/1991 (25) Age Dif: 1.3
Acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent 2/16/16
2016 Statistics: 112 G, 464 PA, 399 AB, 59 R, 115 H, 20 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 58 RBI, .288/.386/.404
Profile: After struggling for three years in the Dodgers farm system and two successful years in the Independent Leagues, the Mets gave Taylor an opportunity to produce in the Florida State League. Largely, Taylor succeeded.
At the plate, Taylor showed some doubles power and great patience at the plate. Taylor was much better against right-handed pitching with all eight of his homers against him. Against, left-handed pitching, Taylor held his own posting a respectable .364 OBP, but he was really nothing more than a singles hitter against them.
Early in Taylor’s career, he was a second baseman, but last year, he spent most of his time split between first base and left field. Unfortunately for Taylor, he doesn’t have the bat to play at either position. Therefore, he is going to need to continue to work on his versatility to make himself as appealing to the Mets as he possibly can.
2017 Outlook: Taylor again looks to play a super utility role for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies next season. It will be interesting to see how the Mets handle that should Phillip Evans repeat Binghamton.
85. RF Travis Taijeron
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 220 lbs. 2016 Level: Las Vegas
B/T: R/R Age: 1/20/1989 (28) Age Dif: 0.6
Acquired: 2011 Mets 18th Round Draft Pick out of California Polytechnic State University
2016 Statistics: 129 G, 541 PA, 459 AB, 86 R, 126 H, 42 2B, 5 3B, 19 HR, 88 RBI, SB, 3 CS, .275/.372/.512
Profile: Taijeron is your prototypical slugging right fielder. He has legitimate home run and extra base power. When he gets a hold of one, he really gives it a ride.
However, the issue for Taijeron is doesn’t make contact as frequently as you would hope. In five of his six minor league seasons, he has struck out over 100 times including a career high 166 last year. Despite these issues, Taijeron has been an effective offensive player due to his aforementioned power and his ability to take a walk.
In the field, Taijeron is really just a right fielder now. While he has previously played in center, he no longer has the range to handle center. In reality, his diminished range is beginning to become an issue in right field. Still, Taijeron profiles as a right fielder due to his strong throwing arm.
2017 Outlook: In any other organization, it is possible Taijeron would eventually get a shot, but with the Mets that does not seem possible. On the depth chart, he is stuck behind both Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto, who are having difficulties themselves cracking the major league roster. With that, it appears Taijeron is going to repeat the season in Las Vegas.
2017 MMN TOP 100 PROSPECTS
26-30 Two Possible 2017 Mets Bullpen Pieces
31-35 Batting Champ Tops Strong Group
66-70 Features Three 2016 Draft Picks
71 – 75 Tweeners Who Need to Find a Position
Interestingly enough, despite topping out in the high-90s in college, BA reported that Viall hit 101 MPH this year in Kingsport (http://www.baseballamerica.com/viewpoint/ask-ba-minors-100-mph-pitchers/ ). That makes me wonder if they’ve already started making mechanical adjustments with him, which could’ve maximized velocity. Either way, he’s a guy who I’m pretty excited about. Obviously the control is a major problem, but if he get past those issues, I think he could be something special.
Agreed, and he honestly should have been higher on this. Once he shows that he’s healthy he’s a top 50 easy.
Who the heck is Ian Strom?