We have voted for the Top 5 Mets catcher prospects here at MMN. This is the second position we’ve ranked after doing so with shortstops previously.
In the higher levels (Triple-A & Double-A) the Mets did not have a big catching prospect on their roster. In the lower levels their are a few catchers that stand out, but overall it’s a very thin position in the minor league system.
This year in the draft the Mets drafted three catchers, one of the three signed with the Mets. It was the Mets 13th round pick Dan Rizzie who played with the Cyclones about being drafted. In the last four drafts the highest drafted catcher was Tyler Moore in 2014. He was drafted in the sixth round and played for the Columbia Fireflies last season.
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 210 lb B/T: R/R Age: 6/6/96 (20)
2016 Level: GCL Mets
Stats: 38 games, 142 AB, 16 runs, 45 hits, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 12 BB, 23 K, 2 SB (1 CS) .317/.382/.444
The 20-year old Venezuelan had a very good season with the bat in 2016 hitting 317 for the year. If he had enough at bats that would have been in third in the Gulf Coast League.
He played 16 of his 38 games behind the plate. He is seen as a first baseman/catcher in the minors. As a catcher he allowed six stolen bases, while throwing out seven trying to steal. His arm indicates that he could stay at the catching position.
He also showed some power as 14 of his 45 hits were for extra bases. It was Sanchez first season stateside having played three seasons in the DSL. In the DSL, Sanchez batted .233/.300/.302 over 507 at bats.
We have to see if he can keep up hitting like this season in the next couple of years before we have him higher in the list. I expect him to play in Kingsport or possibly even Brooklyn next year in his second season in the states.
#4 Juan Uriarte
Ht: 6’3” Wt: 180 lb B/T: R/R Age: 9/17/96 (19)
2016 Level: GCL Mets
Stats: 37 games, 123 AB, 9 runs, 29 hits, 5 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 29 K, 3 SB (0 CS) .236/.304/.301
Uriarte just turned 19 in September and played his first season stateside. He split time with Sanchez as the GCL Mets catcher in 2016. It was a tough season offensively for the young catcher hitting just .236 in 37 games with the GCL Mets.
Uriarte caught 40% would-be base stealers as he allowed 37 stolen bases and threw out 25 of them. In 282.1 innings behind the plate he did not make a single error and he allowed four passed balls.
Uriarte had a solid hitting season in his first pro year in 2015. He batted .267/.374/.395 with eleven doubles, one triple and three home runs between the two DSL Mets squads. I expect him to play in Kingsport next season as their starting catcher in his third pro season.
Ht: 6’3” Wt: 210 lb B/T: L/R Age: 10/14/93 (23)
2016 Level: Columbia Fireflies
Stats: 70 games, 239 AB, 34 runs, 73 hits, 14 doubles, 0 triples, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 38 BB, 39 K, 2 SB (0 CS) .305/.414/.402
Another solid season for the 23-year old Mazeika, who was drafted out of the same university as Jacob deGrom (Stetson University). Mazeika played all of his games as a catcher, but could end up at first base. There is a lot of doubt that Mazeika can stay at catcher because of his build. He is a tall guy that has trouble moving behind the plate. Mazeika threw out just 29% would-be base stealers and allowed 56 stolen bases in 2016.
He hit for less power this season, but it was still a successful hitting season for Mazeika. He started the season hitting just .244 in the first half then rebounded in the second half hitting .342.
Mazeika is an interesting prospect as he hits for a high average and gets on base. He doesn’t strikeout with only 65 in 465 career at-bats. If he could improve defensively and stick at catcher he will have good long-term value. If he has to move to first the lack of power is something to be concerned about.
I expect Mazeika to become the St. Lucie Mets everyday catcher in 2017.
#2 Ali Sanchez
Ht: 6’1” Wt: 200 lb B/T: R/R Age: 1/20/97 (19)
2016 Level: Brooklyn Cyclones
Stats: 46 games, 171 AB, 15 runs, 37 hits, 10 doubles, 0 triples, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 10 BB, 26 K, 2 SB (0 CS) .216/.260/.275
The 19-year old Sanchez was the every day catcher for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2016. Sanchez had a hard time in the batters box hitting just .216/.260/.275 and is a career .264/.335/.326 hitter in three career seasons.
Why is he ranked second by us then? It’s his amazing defensive skills and his potential. He played in a tough hitters league in the NYPL. At the moment Sanchez is mostly a singles hitter, though he should provide more power when he gets older.
His main skill is his defense. Sanchez moves well behind the plate, works good with the pitchers and has great mechanics on his throws. His arm is not the strongest, yet he was still able to get 48% of the would-be base stealers in 2016.
A great defensive catcher who we think will develop solid offensive skills. I expect to see Sanchez as the starting Fireflies catcher in 2017 and hope to see an improvement in his hitting to go with his stellar defense.
#1 Tomas Nido
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 205 lb B/T: R/R Age: 4/12/94 (22)
2016 Level: St. Lucie Mets
Stats: 90 games, 344 AB, 38 runs, 110 hits, 23 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 19 BB, 42 K, 0 SB (1 CS) .320/.357/.459
It was a break out season in every way for the 22-year old Nido. He was rewarded with the Mets adding him to the 40-man roster to protect him for the Rule 5 draft last week.
Nido was the Florida State League batting champion hitting .320, beating out his closest competitor by 15 points.
Nido had career highs in almost every main category. When the Mets drafted Nido he was seen as a power bat, but he has developed into a hitter with a level swing and low strikeout numbers to with that power.
On the defensive side, Nido had a great season as well. Nido has worked hard on his throwing and it paid dividends. Before this season he had trouble throwing out base stealers. He had a career high 25% in 2014 before improving this season to 42%, a major improvement.
The Mets needed a catching prospect to step up and Nido that just that this season. He will be the Binghamton Mets catcher and I look forward to see him develop more in 2017.
Honorable Mention:
Another catcher who got a vote for the Top 5 was Brandon Brosher. He played for the Cyclones this season and struggled batting just .183/.287/.324. Brosher does provide some pop from the right side as he hit six home runs in 145 at-bats.
Not all that strong of position for us, although Sanchez and Nido are very promising. I’d be very surprised if one of TDA, Plaw, or Nido doesn’t become at least an average starting catcher (it’s too soon to give up on TDA or Plaw). Sanchez reminds me a bit of a Yadier Molina-lite (great D, good bat control, doesn’t strike out much, but still very raw on offense). I think he can be a solid hitter, although I don’t think he’s ever going to hit for much power.
I was wondering if Brosher would get a mention. Obviously the power is crazy (80 power), but he’s probably not going to stay at catcher and his hit tool leaves a ton to be desired. He might be a candidate for the “Ivan Wilson award” that John came up with in the Under the Radar Prospects article. A lot of potential, but very unlikely he puts it together.
Daniel, surprised anyone brought up Plawecki as an option for starting catcher. I can understand that he’s still young, but he lacks bat speed and any drive whatsoever. While he may be
Yes, I know it’s popular opinion now to view him as someone who can’t hit and will never hit, but he had a plus hit tool throughout the minors, and I have trouble believing that his hitting ability is gone forever. He was rushed to the MLB and catchers take a while to produce offensively. Defensive metrics have rated him very favorably. All this considered I still give him a chance to figure it out and become an average starting catcher.
Interesting to see who would be mentioned as to who would come to Kingsport for the 2017 season. The 2 position was a revolving door for us this past season. Think we saw 6-7 total playing that spot. No real talent for us there. But then again we are not supposed to keep our talent here, right? Our league is either, “Send’em up or send’em home”. Lots of runs and lots of bases given up due to balls ending up at the backstop. Lost many, many games that way. Heard fans blaming the pitchers for being wild and putting it in the dirt and off to the side and out of the catcher’s reach at times. True, that happened quite often also with our pen, and our top 3 pitchers were moved up within 2 weeks, but still you got to stop the ball and good catchers stop the ball.
I would agree on KP, though I have never been a fan. Fans generally don’t have the patience for the developmental arc that it takes for a catcher. They see a high ranking and see a similarly ranked OF or SP have much more immediate success. Without much consideration for what a league average catcher is.
Curious if Uriarte will play in Kingsport and curious what you will see in him. I’m intrigued by him
The crappy part about our league is we have started the rotating coaching staff again. The other teams in our division, Astros, Twins. Pirates, and Cardinals, pretty much keep the same coaching staff and you get used to them and they get used to the fans. The Mets have a revolving door here, just like the players. So our players are like a used car lot…here one day and gone the next especially if they do well…. and you NEVER know what they are going to do, who they will play, and what will happen until it happens…..Coaches change as much as the players.
We are expecting the Tim Tebow show though……especially if he makes it through the spring.
The thing I like most about our league is watching them progress. Most players don’t even show up until 1-3 days before their first game of the season and practices are NOT open to the public. So they have NOT played or practiced together in many cases before they even meet and the first week of games is like watching a high school blooper reel at times, and you wonder what the scouts saw in these guys. It usually takes them about 2-3 weeks to get them where they need to be “skill wise” for some reason to properly evaluate what they are truly capable of.
Plawecki was one of those guys who I was never all that high on because I wasn’t certain he would stick at catcher (he’s improved greatly behind the plate). I had little doubt that he he would hit for a solid average. I was wrong on both fronts as he’s been solid behind the plate and hasn’t hit at all. But I’m not ready to give up on him yet.
Better to draft or trade for some minor league catchers with prospect status the next few years. Of course everyone else is in the same boat.
I was wondering about Dodgers C/2B/3B #10 prospect Austin Barnes as a possible trade target. He´s older (26) and has played a few games in LA already, but is a good hitter and a good defensive C. He might be a good alternative to Rivera as a backup at the ML level (or a 26th player if rosters are expanded).
Brosher was a player i was high on when the drafted him but is looking like a bust now. Like the Sanchez Molina-lite comp and this year will be big with Nido moving up to AA. Also agree to soon to give up on TDA and Plaw feel that Plaw will get better. Plaw had a great college career at Purdue hit great won a bunch of awards. And what was amazing he only struck out 47 times in his college career. Then he hit well at every level in the minors. They say catchers take longer being they have to learn the pitching staff as well as hitting. Hoping that is the case with Plaw.
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