1. Zack Wheeler, RHP
Status: Cold
Wheeler took his first loss in the big leagues on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. His debut at Citi Field started off well; he struck out the side in the top of the first. However, Adam LaRoche launched a solo bomb in the top of the second, and it all went downhill from there. He allowed five runs on six hits (two home runs) on two walks and five strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched. He’ll look to get back on track tonight as he takes on the Milwaukee Brewers to kick off the Mets’ last road trip before the All-Star break.
2. Travis d’Arnaud, C
Status: Injured
d’Arnaud is still rehabbing in Port St. Lucie, and we haven’t heard much with regard to his progress toward getting back on the field. He has moved deeper into his running progression, moving to flat ground. The catcher felt some discomfort in his foot, but that is normal, according to a team spokesperson. In 36 at-bats with Las Vegas before getting injured, d’Arnaud was hitting .250/.429/.472 with one home run and eight RBIs this season.
3. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
Status: Hot
Syndergaard is continuing to show us he can handle Double-A competition in Binghamton. His last start came against the Trenton Thunder on June 30th. While he didn’t get the decision, he certainly out-dueled a rehabbing Michael Pineda. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits (one homer), two walks, and nine strikeouts in five innings pitched. He’s now racked up 16 strikeouts in 11 Double-A innings pitched, and owns a 2.45 ERA. He’ll be taking the mound tomorrow for the B-Mets in New Hampshire.
4. Rafael Montero, RHP
Status: Cold
Montero continues to struggle getting acclimated to the Pacific Coast League, as he took his second loss of the season in Triple-A in his last start against Fresno. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits, two walks, and four strikeouts in five innings pitched. He now owns a 5.04 ERA and a .301 opponent batting average in 25 innings pitched with Las Vegas, but I think he’s trying to be too perfect with his pitches. He’s already handed out eight walks in Triple-A (seven BBs in his last 13 IP), while he allowed only 10 free passes in 66.2 innings pitched with Binghamton.
5. Wilmer Flores, INF
Status: Hot
Flores was named to the Triple-A All-Star game this week, and he celebrated his selection that night with the first five-hit game of his professional career. He just continues to rip the cover off the ball. The second baseman is now hitting .318/.356/.517 with 10 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 28 doubles on the season. In four games played in July, he’s already hitting .500. While a good portion of that is thanks to his five-hit game, Flores already has three multi-hit games this month.
6. Brandon Nimmo, OF
Status: Cold
Nimmo won the final vote to join Syndergaard and Montero in the MLB Futures Game at Citi Field this year, but he’s still having a tough time of it at the plate. He did have a three-hit game on June 30th, but is only 1-for-12 to start the month of July, including six strikeouts. Four of those punch outs came on July 3rd against Hickory. The 2011 first-round pick is now hitting .266/.364/.355 with one home run and 23 RBIs in 214 at-bats.
7. Domingo Tapia, RHP
Status: Warming up
Well, Tapia did pitch into the seventh inning for the first time this season, throwing 6.2 innings against Palm Beach on July 3rd against Jupiter. He shut out the Hammerheads, only allowing two hits, but walked another four hitters and struck out five. His problems with getting the ball over the plate continue; he’s walked 14 hitters in his last 21 innings pitched. In 14 starts with St. Lucie this season, Tapia is 2-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 58 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 64.2 innings pitched.
8. Michael Fulmer, RHP
Status: Warming up
Fulmer made his second start with the GCL Mets on July 1st, getting the loss against the Cardinals. He allowed four runs on six hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched. While it’s never good to watch someone give up some runs, Fulmer’s endurance is there, as he lasted six innings for the second straight appearance. He’s getting the ball over the plate (one BB in 12 IP), and his GO/FO ratio is 3.60. The plan moving forward for the right-hander is unclear; he’s still on the GCL roster, but one would imagine he would at most have one more start with them before heading over to High-A.
9. Luis Mateo, RHP
Status: Injured
Mateo’s injury troubles continue; he missed a good portion of April and virtually all of May with an arm injury. He was activated off the disabled list May 30th to start his rehab assignment in Single-A, and he was back on the disabled list within a week. The hurler recently had Tommy John surgery, and is finished for the 2013 season. In four total games (two starts) between St. Lucie and Binghamton, Mateo was 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched. He joined the Mets in May 2011 as a non-drafted free agent.
10. Gavin Cecchini, SS
Status: Neutral
Cecchini was hot at the start of the week, going 6-for-13 over a three-game span, but has since cooled off again, and is hitting .250 over the last week and a half. He’ll look to kick start his 2013 season and help the Cyclones get on track in the NYPL. The 2012 first round pick is hitting .259/.305/.315 with no homers, three RBIs, and three doubles in 54 at-bats. He’s currently day-to-day and missed yesterday’s game after leaving Wednesday’s contest early because he was limping after sliding hard into a base.
UPDATE: MMN will be starting the release of our mid-season Top 25 prospects on Monday, so be sure to be on the look out as we first reveal prospects 25 through 21!