(MILB.com)
We’re about to hit the halfway mark! We’ve done 40 prospects so far, and a lot of times it can be dizzying, confusing, and strange. Some guys you may ask “why are they here? why aren’t they farther up in the top 80?” or visa versa. We’ve weighed their upside and potential to flame out, and believe they belong right here. Enjoy, because upside and more optimism is coming my friends.
45. RHP Rainy Lara
Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 180 Level: AA & AAA B/T: R/R Age: 3/14/1991 Age Dif: -1.0
Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2009
Statistics: 24 GS, 134 IP, 4.10 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 141 H, 39 BB, 96 K, .273 BAA
Profile: Lara has enjoyed success since being in the great Brooklyn rotation with Gabriel Ynoa, and Luis Cessa, but maybe not as much as either. Lara, as well does not have the same stuff as them, including a high-80’s to low-90’s fastball he throws in a high 3/4 slot, as well as an above-average slider, both of which can work in the bullpen, which is what he should become this year in Triple-A.
Level: AAA
(MILB.com)
44. OF Raphael Ramirez
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 175 lb Level: Rookie B/T: L/L Age: 12/15/1995 (20) Age Dif: -1.5
Acquired: Drafted in the 18th round 2014 out of Pace Academy, Georgia
Statistics: 27 G, 120 PA, 111 AB, 24 H, 3 2B, 5 3B, 5 SB, CS, 6 BB, 41 K, .216/.261/.333
Profile: Ramirez is another boom-or-bust outfielder that the Mets have taken in the draft with some interesting tools. With a bit more experience, Ramirez could definitely improve into an average hitter, but he hasn’t had enough time to adjust yet. As well, he has some considerable raw power, up to average, that if he could work into his game, could be exciting to see. His most apparent tools right now are his Plus speed, that, coupled with his outfield defense, make him a very good fielding outfielder. He could turn into a very interesting package down the line.
Level: Brooklyn, Short-Season A would be a decent bet, or repeating Kingsport.
(http://wjhl.com)
43. RHP Harol Gonzalez
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 160 Level: Rookie B/T: R/R Age: 3/2/1995 (20) Age Dif: -0.8
Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2013
Statistics: 13 G, 9 GS, 65.1 IP, 4.96 ERA, 68 H, 9 BB, 56 K, 1.18 WHIP, .264 BAA
Profile: The small pitcher was an enigma at Kingsport last year, doing really well at times, but not completely holding velocity. A very small and slender size, Gonzalez has an 88-92 mile per hour fastball he can use to get to every part of the strike zone. His changeup might be just as good, projecting to be above-average. His breaker however is undetermined as of yet, but might project as an average pitch. For now he’ll stay a starter but due to his build, he might become an at least decent reliever, but for now he’ll start and try to prove himself that way.
Next Level: We expect him at Full-Season A Columbia or Short-Season A Brooklyn
photo by Cirilo Maldonado
42. 1B/OF Jayce Boyd
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 185 Level: AA & AAA B/T: R/R Age: 12/30/1990 (25) Age Dif: -1.5
Acquired: 2012 Draft, 6th Round, out of Florida State University
Statistics: 98 G, 326 PA, 299 AB, 84 H, 27 2B, 1 HR, 2 SB, 3 CS, 25 BB, 39 K, .281/.338/.381
Profile: A college bat in the 6th round in the 2012 draft, Jayce Boyd has steadily climbed the ladder with a bat that shows the ability to make contact and produce high batting averages, which is always interesting, had he been more athletic than a first baseman. While he hits for contact well, he has not tapped into some serious power that has laid dormant in his swing professionally, making him difficult offensively to see at first base. In the past year, the Mets have tried to revert Boyd to left field, which so far hasn’t looked very good due to Boyd’s arm being not very good (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in 2014). If he can finally tap into that power, we might see something good, but if not, his days as a prospect are almost over.
Next Level: Still at AAA
(Milb.com)
41. RHP Michael Gibbons
Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 205 Level: Short Season A, Full Season A, A+, & AA B/T: R/R Age: 4/24/1993 (22) Age Dif: -.04
Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wheaton College in 2014
Statistics: 12 GS, 69.1 IP, 3.63 ERA, 1.341 WHIP, 75 H, 18 BB, 47 K, .283 baa
Profile: Catching the eye of J.P. Riccardi, at of Wheaton College in 2014 as a rising senior, Michael Gibbons found himself signing a contract with the Mets. While he did not play that year, he made up for it plenty by rising up 4 levels from Brooklyn Short Season A to Binghamton AA and dazzle with his 92-95 miles per hour fastball, earning praise and being considered by BA’s Matt Eddy as a guy to keep an eye on. Using a high 3/4 slot, Gibbons deploys an athletic frame and also throws an effective slider and changeup. Here is an interview he did with MMN earlier this offseason.
Level: Look for him to start the year in Binghamton.
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Ted’s Prospect Extras
2014 Draft’s Top 4 Offensive Performances
Lara can be a minor league FA after this season I believe, so it is really sink or swim now.
Right around where I have Harol and Ramirez, who I have heard “if all goes right, a young Curtis Granderson comp is fair”
Jeff P on Amazin Avenue’s scouting report. I don’t consider that Taboo on here .
I am an active listener to all Met or Prospect related podcasts. Commuting sucks.
Boyd just turned 25, not 30 and still one of my favorite prospects. Has the build for power, hopefully he can untap it.
We need him discover some power, he could be a better version of Eric Campbell and be that RH 1B/corner OF off the bench in 2017 for us
Gibbons is intriguing, seems like maybe just a late bloomer as a teenager…with that size and his repertoire, reminds me of Chad Qualls possibly
I really like Boyd and his hitting style, which is contact and doubles. I’m a big fan of consistent hard contact and not the guys with 20+% strikeout rates; those guys don’t advance base runners. Obviously Boyd’s comp will be Billy Butler, but a player that can hit .300 with 40+ doubles and good OBP has good value. You take a chance on him and if he learns to drive the ball a bit, you could see 15-20 HRs without sacrificing average.
Problem with Boyd at this time, is he better than Eric Campbell? Also, where does he play? If he is a good or at least decent defender, maybe he has a role. If not, teams will look to make him a platoon DH.
Definitely someone to keep an eye on, Mets have done a great job in the last couple of years in finding minor league talent in Independent Leagues/Undrafted guys.
Always been a big Boyd fan too, problem is that he is really limited to only 1B (or should be) and didn’t show much offensively at AAA last year. I think he would be much better served as a player if he was moved back to 1B.
I would start him in the bullpen this year, best way to evaluate if he has a future past this season in the Mets system.
Agree. Let him just let it rip in the bullpen. Plus side is a 40 pitch outing for Wally shouldn’t ruin him.
And congrats to you and the misses on the addition of New England’s biggest little Mets fan to your family