We have voted for the Top 5 Mets second base prospects here at MMN. This is the third position we’ve ranked after doing so with shortstops and catchers previously.

The Mets second base prospects have not reached the heights of the shortstop position within the Mets farm system.  Accordingly, there have been discussions about moving some of the well regarded shortstop prospects, like Gavin Cecchini, over to second base.

This is not a sign the Mets farm system is bereft of second base talent. Rather, it is an indication the Mets second base talent is located in the lower levels of the Mets farm system, and it is also reflective of the fact some of the Mets top second base prospects dealt with serious injuries last year.

#5 Michael Paez

Ht: 5’8″    Wt: 175 lbs.    Age: 12/8/94 (21)

2016 Level: Brooklyn Cyclones

Stats: 46 G, 201 PA, 179 AB, 18 R, 34 H, 11 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 SB, 6 CS, .190/.270/.285

The diminutive Paez was the Mets fourth round selection from the College World Series Champion Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Paez was a shortstop in college, but due to both his size and the sheer volume of shortstops drafted by the Mets in 2016, Paez was quickly shifted to second base with the Cyclones. He had some difficulty fielding the position as indicated by his .956 fielding percentage. However, he did show enough that he could handle the position.

Ultimately, when discussing Paez, the focus should be on his bat. Despite his size, Paez does have power hitting ability as evidenced by his 15 home runs for Coastal Carolina and his 2015 stint in the Cape Cod League. That power did not immediately translate to the New York Penn League. However, it should be noted Paez finished the season with a flurry hitting .421/.476/.526 in the final month of the season.

Paez should expect to be the second baseman for the Columbia Fireflies to start next season.

#4 Walter Rasquin

Ht: 5’9″     Wt: 200 lbs.     Age: 3/21/96 (20)

2016 Level: Kingsport Mets

Stats: 49 G, 204 PA, 187 AB, 24 R, 55 H, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 8 SB, 3 CS, .294/.353/.374

Rasquin was signed as a catcher out of the Dominican Republic, and in his short professional career he has seemingly played every position on the diamond. It was not until this year the Mets determined his position should be second base.

Like Paez, Rasquin is a player making the full time transition to the position, and he has promise offensively. While Rasquin may not have the pop Paez does, he certainly has shown the ability to get on base. In fact, this was Rasquin’s third straight impressive offensive season, and people are beginning to take notice. He was named the Appalachian League Player of the Week (7/17/16), and he was named as MiLB’s Second Base Organizational All-Star for the New York Mets farm system.

Given his career trajectory, Rasquin is likely to begin the 2016 season with the Brooklyn Cyclones. If he continues hitting the way he has, he may very well find himself playing for a full season minor league affiliate before the end of 2017.

#3 Jeff McNeil

Ht: 6’1″     Wt: 165 lbs.     Age: 4/8/92 (24)

2016 Level: Binghamton Mets

Stats: 3 G, 14 PA, 12 AB, 2 R, 3 H, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SB, .250/.357/.583

McNeil seemed poised to build upon his breakout 2015 season. Unfortunately, McNeil would miss the majority of the 2016 season after needing sports hernia surgery.

McNeil has shown the ability to play well at both middle infield positions and third base. However, given his relative lack of power and the sheer depth of shortstop talent in the Mets farm system, McNeil should find himself playing second base for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies next season. That is assuming no team selects him in the Rule 5 Draft next week.

#2 Luis Carpio

Ht: 6’0″     Wt: 165 lbs.     Age: 7/11/97 (19)

2016 Level: GCL Mets & Brooklyn Cyclones

Stats: 20 G, 86 PA, 74 AB, 7 R, 15 H, 3 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, .203/.314/.270

Carpio was a star on the rise, and he was starting to draw some Amed Rosario comparisons after his terrific stint with Kingsport last year. However, Carpio’s rise took a brief hiatus as he needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

While he was widely expected to miss the entire 2016 season, Carpio did surprise many by being able to return in August. Carpio’s work ethic in returning early as well as his ability to heal quickly were about the only positives to take away from his 2016 season. It will be interesting to see if Carpio returns to his 2015 form or if he continues to struggle with a surgically repaired shoulder in 2017.

It will also be interesting to see if Carpio begins the year with Columbia or if the Mets are conservative with one of their top prospects, and they have him begin the year with Brooklyn.

#1 T.J. Rivera

Ht: 6’1″     Wt: 205 lb.     Age: 10/27/88 (28)

2016 Level: Las Vegas 51s & New York Mets

MiLB Stats: 105 G, 442 PA, 405 AB, 67 R, 143 H, 31 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 85 RBI, 3 SB, 3 CS, .353/.393/.516

MLB Stats: 33 G, 113 PA, 105 AB, 10 R, 35 H, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .333/.345/.476

Rivera’s year is a testament to perseverance. Not only did Rivera have to wait almost six years before getting his shot in the major leagues, he also had to watch as other teammates were called-up ahead of him. Instead of pouting, Rivera rededicated himself learning new positions and by improving at the plate. Ultimately, he would pass Brandon Nimmo to claim the Pacific League batting crown on the last day of the AAA regular season.

Rivera’s real chance to play in the majors came due to Neil Walker‘s and Wilmer Flores‘ season ending injuries.  When it was finally Rivera’s turn he took over the second base position, and he gave Terry Collins no reason to take it away from him.  Rivera would actually start the Wild Card Game, and he was the only Mets player to get an extra base hit that night.

During the season, we saw exactly what Rivera was. He was a gap-to-gap line drive hitter who was aggressive at the plate. While Rivera has no true position, he is not going to hurt you at second base with his defense. He established that the Mets should consider him a part of their future. Where that is in 2017 is unclear especially with Walker accepting the Mets qualifying offer. Likely, Rivera will find himself battling with Ty Kelly in Spring Training for the last spot on the bench.

Honorable Mentions

In addition to the aforementioned players, there are some other Mets second base prospects who have earned some praise. Vinny Siena has continued to show the ability to consistently get on base posting a .391 OBP during his time between Columbia and St. Lucie this season. L.J. Mazzilli earned his way up to AAA this season. Finally, the 17-year old Luis Santana, who was one of the Mets top signings out of the Dominican Republic this year, hit .293/.354/.400 in his first professional season in the Dominican Summer Leagues.