Jaylen Palmer/Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
25. Daison Acosta, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 21 (08/24/1998)
Height: 6’2” Weight: 160
Acquired: International Free Agent (07/2016) $70K
ETA: 2022 Previous Rank: N/A
2019 Stats (Brooklyn, Columbia): 3.06 ERA 1.28 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 9.4 K/9, 3.72 FIP
At No. 25 we have starting pitcher Daison Acosta. He began the year in Brooklyn and showed immediate success at the level, with an impressive 0.98 ERA and 12.3 K/9 in four games. After this short stint, Acosta was promoted to Class-A Columbia, where he would play the remainder of the season. In 11 starts, Acosta posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and struck out 49 batters over 52.1 innings.
Acosta is a lanky righty that is up to 95 mph with his four-seamer. His best secondary pitch is a curve that he has good feel for, the mostly 11-5 offering gets swings and misses. The youngsters body type and smooth delivery suggest he could still add velocity. He throws a change that has some late break, though inconsistent. Also looked like he was working on a low 80s slider in 2019.
Acosta worked on keeping the ball low in 2019, he allowed only four home runs in 70 innings and his fly ball rate in Columbia was 33%. Video Link
24. Michel Otanez, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 22 (07/03/1997)
Height: 6’3” Weight: 215
Acquired: International Free Agent (07/2016) $35K
ETA: 2022 Previous Rank: N/A
2019 Stats (Kingsport and Cyclones): 3.14 ERA 1.27 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, 10.o K/9
At No. 24, we have another promising young starting pitcher, Michel Otanez. The big bodied right-hander began the year in Kingsport where he started seven games, posting an 3.31 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He allowed only 26 hits and 11 walks compared to 44 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings.
These impressive numbers warranted him a promotion to Brooklyn, during their playoff run. Otanez posted a 2.97 ERA in 30 innings for Brooklyn, but saw his walk rate spike to 5.0 and his K/9 reduced to 7.7.
Overall, Otanez improved significantly from a disappointing 2018. Otanez – who has always been a prospect to keep an eye given high velocity – was able to command his fastball better in his second season after Tommy John surgery. His fastball had been up 97 mph post-surgery (99 beforehand) and also gets glove-side run. He throws two breaking balls, one harder at 81-83 and one slower at 76-78, neither are consistent. Video Link
23. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP
B/T: R/R Age: 25 (07/08/1994)
Height: 6’5 Weight: 220
Acquired: Waiver Claim from the Twins (11/04/2019)
ETA: 2020 Previous Rank: N/A
2019 Stats (AAA): 4.15 ERA 1.23 WHIP 4.8 BB/9 14.5 K/9 4.83 FIP
Stephen Gonsalves was claimed by the Mets off waivers in late 2019. Gonsalves was once the Twins top pitching prospect and was ranked No. 78 in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects back in 2018. Gonsalves missed significant time in 2019, battling a lingering elbow strain.
In just eight performances across three minor league levels, Gonsalves posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Like much of his career, however, Gonsalves struggled with walks, walking seven batters in 13 innings. The former fourth round pick walked 22 in 24 big league innings back in 2018.
During his big league stint he averaged 89.8 mph with his four-seamer with about league average spin. While working with Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson in Spring Training last season, Gonsalves was hitting 93 with his fastball. His changeup has consistently been his best secondary pitch, he has shown the ability to control it down in the zone and the pitch gets good sink.
Also throws a slider in the mid-80s and a slow curveball, both he struggled to throw for strikes in 2019. Gonsalves’ lanky arms and three-quarter arm slot allow him to hide the well. Gonsalves needs to prove that he can throw strikes consistently at the big league level, which could result in him being a solid pickup for the Mets. Video Link
Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
22. Jose Butto, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 21 (03/19/1998)
Height: 6’1 Weight: 160
Acquired: International Free Agent (06/2017)
ETA: 2022 Previous Rank: #47
2019 Stats (Columbia): 3.62 ERA 1.17 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 8.8 K/9, 3.43 FIP
In his first full season, Butto impressed with only 31 walks in in 112 innings with the Class-A Columbia Fireflies. His 3.43 FIP was tied for third best in the South Atlantic League. Only left-handed pitching prospect David Peterson (13.7%) had a higher swinging strike percentage than Butto’s 13.2 in 2019.
Not only did Butto show above average control (2.5 BB/9) in 2019, but he also posted a low 0.64 HR/9. Butto uses an easy, athletic delivery that allowed him to be consistently in the strike zone last season. He throws from three quarters with a strong drop and drive towards home plate. He’s also known for being a fiery competitor on the mound.
Butto uses a four-seamer in the low 90’s that has been up to 94 mph. His best secondary is a changeup that he uses in any count and was a good two-strike pitch for him in 2019. Baseball America called it the best changeup in the Mets system. Mixes in a short curve in high 70’s and slider that lacks movement in low 80’s. Command and control are his calling cards, but his fastball is very flat right now. Video Link
21. Jaylen Palmer, INF
B/T: R/R Age: 19 (07/31/2000)
Height: 6’3 Weight: 195
Acquired: Drafted in 22nd Round of the 2018 MLB Draft
ETA: 2024 Previous Rank: N/A
2019 Stats (Kingsport): .260/.344/.413, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 111 wRC+
Here we have a toolsy infielder (and one of my personal favorites), Jaylen Palmer. At the ripe age of 19, Palmer was the fourth youngest hitter in the Appalachian League and posted an impressive slash line of .260/.344/.413. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Appalachian League last season.
Palmer is an extremely raw and aggressive power orientated hitter who still has plenty of work to do when it comes to plate discipline and pitch selection. His 91 mph exit velocity was tied for the best among list Mets prospects in 2019 with third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty.
The Flushing native struck out a whopping 39.1% of the time despite having above average bat speed. He has a long swing with significant loft, combined with poor plat discipline results in the high strikeouts.
The athletic, quick twitch infielder played 33 games at third base and 30 games at shortstop in 2019. Speed, strong arm, and athleticism had him as an average defender at both spots. Video Link
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