(Kevin Putaky/MiLB.com)
We’re chugging along and going into the final 14 of our very very long prospect list, and have come across a very old name that has been a top prospects for how long? Since 2012 I’d believe. Gabriel Ynoa continues to take the long approach for our consideration as a top prospect, and we are very close to seeing the fruits of his labor. He is our #14.
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 160 Level: B’Mets AA B/T: R/R Age: 5/26/1993 (22) Age Dif: -2.6
Acquired: International Free Agent, 2009 out of the Dominican Republic
Statistics: 25 G, 24 GS, 152.1 IP, 3.90 ERA, 157 H, 31 BB/82 K, .265 BAA
If you could describe Gabriel Ynoa with one word, it would be control. No, I don’t mean politician control, or that remote you use to surf to get your channels, but true precision and control. He just knows where he wants the ball to go and then he just puts it there, no questions asked. In his career in the minor leagues, he has had a rate of 1.3 walks per 9 innings, which compared to any other of our starters is truly incredible.
Signed in 2009 at 16, and despite dominating the Dominican Summer League in 2010 with a 1.99 ERA, and doing well in Kingsport and Gulf Coast League in 2011, Ynoa burst onto the scene truly in Brooklyn in 2012 when he had a 2.23 ERA in 13 starts as a 19 year old. Armed with a fastball already in the low 90’s Ynoa by 20, he was a hot commodity when he reached hit full Season ball in Savannah and took full advantage of Old Grayson’s cavernous surroundings, posting a 2.72 ERA.
However, when he arrived to St. Lucie in 2014 he started to give up hits a-plenty, giving up 10.3 per 9 innings which in a pitcher’s league like the Florida State isn’t good. When he was promoted after 14 starts, he did a little worse, giving up a similar amount of hits and more runs. In 2015, he did a little better, giving up less hits and less earned runs but he struck out even less.
Gabriel Ynoa pitches now in the low to mid 90’s and bumps 96 at times. However, while the fastball will find any quadrant, it has found itself to be hittable. At times his changeup has graded out as plus, but it does not garner the swing and misses you’d like to see enough, nor do his curve or slider, which is why I recommend some good time with Dan Warthen this coming spring.
Ynoa has a lot to prove in general, posting mediocre ERA’s and giving up too many hits as of late. Not missing many bats either with it dwindling to 4.8 strikeouts in 9 innings. As that continues to drop, which it very well might when he takes his turn in Vegas’s dry heat, he might be not be viable for a starting role anymore despite the Mets’ insistence. However, if he can find his way to strike out more guys, he could keep his starting status and be one heck of a replacement for one of the big five should one go down for injury.
Previous prospects in the top 80:
#15 Ali Sanchez #16 Luis Guillorme, #17 Chris Flexen, #18 Max Wotell, #19 Milton Ramos, #20 Akeel Morris
25-21, 30-26 35-31, 40-36, 45-41, 50-46, 60-51, 70-61, 80-71
Ted’s Prospect Extras:
I knew you were wondering what Ynoa’s home/road ERA were when he was pitching in Savannah:
Home: 2.20
Road: 3.15
6’2″ 160 lbs
he’s half a Bartolo
I have seen Ynoa probably more than any other pitcher in the system.
A few things stand out:
he remains calm, he goes down 3-0 in the second, it doesn’t rattle him, he will give you the 6-7 innings regardless.
I wrote the same last year and it still holds true, needs to learn to throw balls. Batters do key in on a quadrant and wait him out knowing the pitch there will be a strike.
He has gone back and forth with the slider and curve these last few years. He seems to scrap one early if it’s inconsistent and doesn’t give it enough time (maybe he isn’t feeling it).
I agree Teddy, some extensive time with Warthen is in order. Though his arm slot may be a bit low for it to be consistently effective, a cutter And/or sinker may be more useful. Some time with Bartolo will help too.
He is probably closer to 180-190, so maybe a semi-Colon?
Ya he definitely isn’t 160 anymore, the Mets rarely update those things for minor leaguers. I think he is closer to the 185-195 when I saw him last year.
Fastball and changeup are plus for him, he really needs to figure out what the heck his third pitch is going to be. Last year he started out throwings sliders than mid-season he was throwing a curve for his third pitch. Like you said about the quadrants too, he has a good enough fastball that he can use it upstairs which I think would be great for him. Needs to change the batters eye level and could boost his K’s too.