And we just keep rolling along here at MetsMinors, where our prospect list speaks for itself…no introduction needed!

The traditional scouting scale, which ranks players on a scale of 20-80 (abbreviated at times without the zero), can summarize how we feel about a player in an easy to understand format. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the scale, you’ll see two numbers — something like 30/60, which isn’t a fraction, but rather a representation of their present status and their potential. The number on the left represents their current standing, while the number on the right shows what they could become. For a further explanation on what the numbers mean, I strongly encourage you to check out these links (Scouting for Batters and Scouting for Pitchers) which I will leave on each post going ahead in this series. With that being said, I really hope you enjoy our work going ahead, and any and all questions and comments are appreciated.

15. Domingo Tapia, RHP

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 186

Age: 21

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Fastball: 70/70 Change-Up: 50/55 Slider: 30/50 Control: 40/50 Makeup: 60/60

Well, the story on Tapia remains the same — he has probably the best fastball in the system and one of the best fastballs in a long time. His main pitch is a heavy four-seam fastball with sink that sits in the high nineties and a two-seam fastball that sits in the mid nineties. The two-seam fastball has more movement and is the difference in his success — because Tapia actually runs the two-seamer out there like a breaking pitch in comparison to his four-seam. Considering his change-up floats in there at 87-89 MPH, it’s a big drop from his fastball(s) and gets over pretty nicely. The problem, as always, is that he has no defined breaking pitch and that could really catch up to him as he progresses through the minors. His strikeout rate is already suspect.

I shouldn’t complain that much, as he’s sustaining an 8.2 K/9 rate in St. Lucie this year, where he has pitched 71.1 innings. His ERA stands at 3.79 and a part of that is his increased walks, moving from a 2.7 BB/9 to a 4.4 BB/9 so far this year. Outside of the walks, which he needs to cut down on, I’ve still been very impressed with Tapia this year.

Outlook: It’s really difficult to count a guy with a fastball like Tapia’s out. I mean, he could probably still turn out to be a dominant relief pitcher with just his fastballs and change-up, but the potential is there for so much more. It’s hard for me to say that I have as much confidence in him as a starter as I did before, but the thought can still be floated out there. Some have discussed the idea of him living as a starter without a breaking pitch, and just the two fastballs and a change-up… I’ll give that mentality some time before I buy into it 100%, but it’s looking like it’s either that or he becomes a closer.

14. Gabriel Ynoa, RHP

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 158

Age: 20

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Fastball: 60/70 Change-Up: 50/60 Curveball: 40/50 Control: 60/65 Makeup: 50/60

We all have our favorite players, even though they’re not the best, right? Well, you guys can meet my favorite prospect in the system. I am fully convinced that Gabriel Ynoa’s floor is mid-rotation starter at this point, and I’ve fallen in love with everything he does as a starting pitcher. First off, he’s actually two months younger than Brandon Nimmo, and is currently dominating the SAL league with his impressive style of pitching. Take note of the 158 LBs — he still has time to add muscle mass, which means he can add some velocity to his fastball, which sits at 92 but has touched 95 already. His mechanics are sound and his rotation creates a little deception for his pitches.

He works the fastball with a solid change-up that tails inward to right-handed hitters, and coming in around the low eighties gives it enough of a difference between his fastball to really throw hitters off. He’s also got an average curveball that flashes potential with late bite at times, but it’s inconsistent. Regardless, it’s impossible for me to overstate how much I like Gabriel Ynoa. I could talk about the fact that for the second straight year, he’s keeping his WHIP under 1 or his 6.50 K/BB ratio all day, honestly. He’s pitched to a 2.68 ERA in 94 innings in Savannah this season.

Outlook: I can definitely see mid-rotation starter, and if the curveball turns out to be a solid average pitch instead of an inconsistent fringe pitcher, the potential lies here for much more. No, he won’t become Matt Harvey and he’s often overshadowed by the sexier names that throw harder than him, but just remember Gabriel Ynoa’s name and you won’t be disappointed.

13. Cory Vaughn, OF

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 225

Age: 24

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Hit: 40/50 Power: 55/65 Arm: 50/50 Field: 50/50 Speed: 55/60

Well, outside of an injury that he is currently working his way back from (he took some at-bats in the GCL yesterday), Binghamton has been very kind to Cory Vaughn. Vaughn is getting a little up there in years, as he just turned 24 in May, so he’s soon to be a little old for a prospect — but that’s ok if he puts it together soon. At the rate that Vaughn was hitting in Binghamton earlier in the year, I expected a promotion to Triple-A to be imminent, as Vaughn always possessed top-flight tools. The major knock against him was always his ability to hit for average — and this year in Binghamton, he bumped it up to .288 pre-injury, which is an amazing jump from .243 in St. Lucie. The raw power will always be there in abundance for Vaughn, and he’s also got the potential to steal more than a handful of bases with ease.

I have to admit, even I was surprised at Vaughn’s average so far this year, but I don’t think he can sustain it for too long in the majors. That being said, Vaughn’s power/speed combo can play well as a corner outfielder and he isn’t that much of a liability on defense at all. After a 23-homer campaign in 2012, he has six in 197 at-bats this year, with a .288/.370/.447 slash — and his .817 OPS would be his best since Brooklyn in 2010.

Outlook: Coming back from injury, Vaughn should return to Binghamton sooner rather than later. I assume he’ll take a little time to re-adjust, but he should return to hitting at an above-average rate and perhaps see that promotion to Triple-A that I mentioned. I really hope he does — because then he’ll enter the conversation for our 2014 MLB OF and not a second too soon.

12. Rainy Lara, RHP

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 180

Age: 22

Fastball: 50/60 Changeup: 55/65 Slider: 30/40 Control: 70/70 Makeup: 50/60

Since signing with the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, Lara has done nothing but dominate at every stop. Rainy started 2013 in Savannah, and continued his trend of posting eye-popping numbers. In 50.2 innings Lara pitched to a 1.42 ERA while striking out a batter per inning. More impressive was his ridiculous 1.07 BB/9 rate. When it was clear that Lara needed a challenge, the Mets moved him to St. Lucie. While his numbers aren’t nearly as dominant, they’re still very good. His ERA currently sits at 2.70 through 40 innings. His strikeout rate has dropped to 7.65 K/9 while his walk rate has more than doubled (2.70 BB/9).

Although Lara throws three pitches, he’s essentially a two pitch pitcher. His fastball sits in the low 90’s with excellent command– which plays up it’s effectiveness. His next best pitch is a changeup which he also commands well and could develop into a plus pitch. His third offering, a slider, is below average despite Lara’s ability to throw it for strikes. He’s got a deceptive delivery that throws hitters off and also helps him work that changeup off the fastball.

Outlook:  Lara has mostly been achieving success using his advanced approach and command against younger, less polished competition. I think his real test will come at the Double-A level and above, where hitters aren’t as likely to be fooled by deception. Maybe I’m not as bullish on Lara as most of the staff at MMN, because I see a reliever. Maybe he could bounce around the back of a rotation. It’s possible that he fills out his 6’4” frame and his fastball ticks up, making him a potential closer. (Kirk C.)

11. Kevin Plawecki, C

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 215

Age: 22

Hit: 50/60 Power: 40/50 Arm: 40/40 Field: 50/50 Speed: 30/30

Plawecki has had a great year at the plate, jolting himself into the discussion as an upper-echelon prospect for the Mets. He started the year in Low-A Savannah, where he showed he was clearly a class above most of his competition. In 65 games Plawecki hit .311/.388/.492 with six homeruns; earning him a promotion to High-A St. Lucie. After getting off to a slow start, Kevin has picked up where left off in Savannah– hitting .317/.368/.444 with a homer through 17 games.

Coming out of Purdue, I don’t think anyone doubted Plawecki’s ability to hit. He’s got a potentially plus hit tool for his position and makes excellent contact (11.5 K%). The biggest surprise has been his power, which I think has jumped a grade since being drafted. Defensively, some scouts question whether he can stick behind the plate from a physical standpoint. He doesn’t have a great arm, and isn’t very mobile behind the dish. However, from the mental side Plawecki is considered above average both framing pitches and calling a game.

Outlook: I’d really like to see the Mets push Plawecki a little. I thought the Low-A assignment to start the season was too conservative. He’s 22 and a polished college player. The Sally league is filled with young, raw players. If he continues his success in St. Lucie for another couple weeks it would behoove the Mets to move him to Binghamton. Long term I think Plawecki can be a starter in the majors due to the lack of solid catchers around the league. (Kirk C.)

MMN Mid-Season Top 25 Prospects

11. Kevin Plawecki

12. Rainy Lara

13. Cory Vaughn

14. Gabriel Ynoa

15. Domingo Tapia

16. Steven Matz

17. Jacob deGrom

18. Matthew Bowman

19. Vicente Lupo

20. Hansel Robles

21. Aderlin Rodriguez

22. L.J. Mazzilli

23.Luis Mateo

24. Amed Rosario

25. Ivan Wilson

(Photo Credit for Vaughn: Gordon Donovan)