For the purpose of our series of posts, we define the word fringe as any prospects, which we considered, that were absent from MMN’s own Top 40 Prospect lists. The purpose of the series is to identify prospects that are showing promise above what fans might expect and what their futures will hold within the Mets organization.
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DOB: 6/26/1988
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
2013 Total Stats: 46 appearances; 4-0, 1.85 ERA, 9 SV, 14 BB, 60 K, 58.1 Inn, .212 AVG
2013 Review
Hamilton Bennett split time in 2013 with St. Lucie and Binghamton and he was also promoted to Las Vegas to help the team in their playoffs. With St. Lucie he was 3-0, with a 1.96 ERA, 9 SV, 12 BB 48 strike outs in 46 innings with an opponent batting average of .227. He was then sent to Binghamton and in 8 appearances, he was 1-0, with a 1.46 ERA, two walks and 12 strike outs in 12.1 innings and an opponent batting average of .156. He appeared in Game 3 of the playoffs with the 51’s and pitched 1/3 of an inning and recorded the win. He had an outstanding 2013 campaign and will finish it up soon with a stint in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Prospect Outlook
Bennett fully came on my radar after I had the opportunity to interview him at the beginning of this off-season. And looking back at what he went through just to be able to pitch in pro baseball was much harder than the opportunity he has before him now. Each year he has moved through the system, he seems to make it look easy, and that is why I believe he is truly enjoying this journey and making the most of it. My hope is that he survives the Rule 5 draft and stays with the Mets organization and continues to develop into a bonafide major league pitcher. He may not be a Top Prospect now, but that may change in 2014, especially if he continues to pitch well. His career stats so far are 15-4, 2.30 ERA, 23 SV, 195 K, 203 Inn, in 141 games. Simply a very good pitcher with an exciting future ahead of him.
2014 Prediction
Bennett should start the 2014 season with Las Vegas and if he continues on the same track he has been on, the fans should get a glimpse of him at Citi Field in the September call ups. Now I am not doubting that he wouldn’t get a taste of the majors sooner, but it will all depend on what the Mets needs are and how the bullpen is doing by mid-season. He can solidify the middle innings and help to bridge the gap from the starters to the closer. Starting the season in AAA and facing better quality hitters, should give him the confidence boost he needs to take him straight to his debut. He has been on the right track and I don’t see anything derailing him at this point.
Prospects On The Fringe:
David, nice write up on a great guy! Hamilton is well respected by both his teammates and the fans where he has played.throughout the Mets system
Thank you so much for writing this. Sometimes I feel that his accomplishments are passed over.