This time around it’s a head scratcher, we’ve got a few guys that we consider higher than others, including a 27 year old LOOGY, and a 28 year old who has just returned from Tommy John we could see in a relief role in the future…y’know, to replace the now wasted hope of Jenrry Mejia. At the top of this list, Vlad’s Nephew-look out.
35. LHP Dario Alvarez
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 170 Level: AA, AAA & MLB B/T: L/L Age: 1/17/1989 (27) Age Dif: +.9
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2013
Statistics:
Minors: 48 G, 42 IP, 3.00 ERA, 27 H, 21 BB, 62K
Majors: 6 G, 3.2 IP, 12.00 ERA, 5 H, 1 BB, 2K
Profile: Left-hander who jumped up the system in 2014 from Savannah to the MLB, Alvarez is a potential reliever with some big league potential. He possesses a 90-93 mile per hour fastball and an above average slider. Probably has the ability to become a LOOGY for the Mets sooner or later.
Level: AAA, but could be one of many in line for an MLB LOOGY Spot
34. RHP Jeff Walters
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 210 Level: GCL, Hi-A, AA B/T: R/R Age: 11/6/1987 (28) Age Dif: +3.5
Acquired: Drafted in 2010, 7th round for a bonus of 50k
Statistics: 29 G, 3 GS, 29.1 IP, 2.25 ERA, 25 H, 6BB, 35 K
Profile: Jeff Walters was on the radar in 2013, as Binghamton’s closer who broke the record for saves with 38. He was in serious consideration for a future in relief before succumbing to Tommy John Surgery in 2014 after 23 games. Before TJS, Walters was touching 96 with a well-controlled fastball, and had an above-average to plus slider in the mid-80’s. He definitely had some potential for 7th or 8th inning setup. Let’s see if he can get back to form.
Level: He will return to AAA, be in consideration for the pen at some time this year.
33. RHP Paul Sewald
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 190 Level: AA B/T: R/R Age: 5/26/1990 (25) Age Dif: +.4
Acquired: 10th round of the 2012 draft for a bonus of $1,000 as a senior in University of San Diego
Statistics: 44 G, 51.1 IP, 24 SV, 1.75 ERA, 34 H, 10 BB, 56K
Profile: What a deal for the Mets: A senior starter in college for the University of San Diego, Sewald took the lowest bonus a team could give to become a Met and became a reliever, and immediately became dominant. A reliever without a big fastball that sits in the 88-92 MPH range but has a tight slider that flashes plus, he has done excellently, and should be considered for a bullpen job should one of the the available get injured.
Level: Will be in the Triple-A Bullpen
32. RHP Adonis Uceta
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 195 Level: Rookie GCL & Kingsport B/T: R/R Age: 4/10/1994 (21) Age Dif: +.7
Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012
Statistics: 13 G, 10 GS, 3.07 ERA, 67.1 IP, 73 H, 11 BB, 52 K .274 BAA
Profile: While an older guy in Rookie ball, Adonis Uceta was pretty impressive with the Gulf Coast League and a start with Kingsport, and enough to warrant Baseball America to mention him in a chat as a possible guy for the future. With above-average control and a fastball that reaches the mid-90’s, Uceta can find anywhere in the zone with his fastball. In addition he has an above-average changeup, but must improve his slider to keep himself able to start.
Level: Brooklyn or Columbia are possible destinations
31. SS Gregory Guerrero
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 175 Level: None B/T: R/R Age: 1/20/1999 (17) Age Dif: –
Acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 for 1.5 million
Statistics: Did not play in 2015
Profile: If you’re looking at the “Guerrero” in this guy’s name and wondering if he’s related to Vlad, I’ll calm your nerves: he’s his Nephew. Trained at the Wilton Guerrero training academy, with his cousin Vlad Jr. Gregory was considered one of the top players in the international free agency in 2015, and the Mets treated him like one, signing him to a 1.5 million dollar bonus. Considered an advanced hitter, Gregory is considered to be able to hit for some good averages, and possibly for above average power if he fills in. As for defense, right now he seems to be able to stick at short, but he is a fringe-average runner, and might have to shift to the hot corner later, where he will be fine due to his good hand and plus arm. He will definitely be someone we report back about constantly from a short-season club.
Level: Possibly Dominican Summer League or the Gulf Coast League
Next we have 30-26, which will be done by Michael, and we’ll lead off with the other big International acquisition. Till next time…
Click here to see Prospects 40-36
Click here to see Prospects 45-41
Click here to see Prospects 50-46
Click here to see Prospects 60-51
Click here to see Prospects 70-61
Click here to see Prospects 80-71
Ted’s Prospect Extras
Top 5 Relievers in the system-
- RHP Logan Verrett
- RHP Akeel Morris
- LHP Josh Smoker
- RHP Paul Sewald
- RHP Jeff Walters
Pretty strong pen for Backman to abuse. 3rd year for Alverez on the 40 man roster, seems like a waste. Sewald is coming home to Vegas. Wonder how Walters feels about playing for Backman again after he ran him out to the mound when it was clear the guys arm was toast.
Alvarez is great against lefties and has a plus slider, would have liked to see the Mets bring him up earlier last year. I definitely think we see Walters at some point this year in Flushing.
I absolutely love our bullpen depth in AAA, it’s the main reason I was against signing Clippard
Agreed with the depth, the likes of Alvarez/Sewald/Walters/Smoker/Thornton/Henderson/Pimentel gives the Mets some great bullpen options for next year and beyond with some of those guys. Add in Verrett/Gilmartin/Montero who could be swing guys and they have plenty of options.