Of all the positions in the Mets system, shortstop stands out in the Mets system in terms of depth. Under Sandy Alderson, the Mets have looked to strengthen up the middle, drafting players like Gavin Cecchini, Luis Guillorme, Milton Ramos, and shifting Matt Reynolds to shortstop.
On the international front, the biggest acquisition was Amed Rosario but the Mets have also signed players such as Luis Carpio, Yeffry De Aza, and Kenny Hernandez. This international signing period alone the Mets signed two of the biggest international free agents in shortstops Andres Gimenez and Gregory Guerrero.
I should note that Carpio is not on this list because he has played more games in his career at second base and will be included at that position. Here are the top five shortstops in the Mets system, as ranked by Mets Minors.
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 165 B/T: L/R Age: 16
Has not made his debut yet.
Gimenez is new to the Mets system agreeing on July 2nd on a $1.2 million signing bonus with the Mets. Per Baseball America, Gimenez, 16, earned high praise from scouts both for his lefthanded bat and ability to stick at shortstop. He’s 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a sweet swing that works in games, above-average speed and the potential for average to above-average defense at shortstop. Gimenez trains with Eduardo Navarro. Gimenez will most likely open in the Dominican Summer League with the DSL Mets to start 2016 and possibly move up to GCL Mets by end of the season.
#4 Milton Ramos
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 158 B/T: R/R Age: 10/26/95 (20)
2015 Level: Kingsport Mets/ GCL Mets Rookie Ball
Stats: 54 G, 200 AB, 25 runs, 59 hits, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 27 RBI, 8 BB, 39 K, 4 stolen bases, .295/.326/.380
Ramos had an interesting 2015 season marked by an incident in the middle of the Kingsport Mets season. Ramos was having a very good season in Kingsport with the bat until an issue led to him being demoted to GCL Mets for 11 games where he struggled. Upon his return to Kingsport, Ramos continued to show great discipline hitting .317 on the season in 43 games in Kingsport.
Ramos was drafted in the 3rd round in 2014 by the Mets and signed for $750,000. Prior to being drafted, Ramos was viewed by Baseball American as far and away the best defensive shortstop in the class with special hands and is a magician with his glove. Concerns also existed about Ramos’ maturity as were showed this year. Expectations for Ramos include starting the year at Brooklyn Cyclones in 2016.
#3 Luis Guillorme
Ht: 5’10” Wt: 170 B/T: L/R Age: 9/27/94 (21)
2015 Level: Savannah Sand Gnats
Stats: 122 games, 446 AB, 67 runs, 142 hits, 16 doubles, 0 HR, 55 RBI, 54 BB, 70 K, 18 SB, .318/.391/.354
Guillorme had a great season for the Sand Gnats, earning himself the player of the year award for the South Atlantic League. Guillorme exceeded criticisms of his bat batting .318 and displaying the great glove raved about entering the draft.
Upon entering draft, Baseball America said he was clearly ranked as one of the best defensive players in the draft, but his offensive future keeps him from ranking higher. So far in his Mets career, Guillorme has exceeded those concerns hitting .297 over 3 seasons. Guillorme will most likely open 2016 as the starting shortstop for the St. Lucie Mets.
#2 Gavin Cecchini
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 200 B/T: R/R Age: 12/22/93 (22)
2015 Level: Binghamton Mets
Stats: 109 games, 439 AB, 64 runs, 139 hits, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 7 homers, 51 RBI, 42 BB, 55 K, 3 SB, .317/.377/.442
Cecchini exceeded many expectations in 2015 hitting .317 with power and the average many expected for him before the 2012 draft. According to Baseball America, prior to the draft, Cecchini was one of the safer bets in the high school class due to his polish, but scouts are mixed on his true upside. This upset many Mets fans hoping for a higher upside pick at his position especially following the drafting of Brandon Nimmo in 2011.
Cecchini ignored much of the criticism about him for scouts and in 2015 he had his best offensive season displaying many of the qualities that are important in a shortstop before his season was cut short by a hip impingement. He returned in the Arizona Fall League for 4 games going 5 for 13 with a double, before losing the rest of the season to a shoulder injury. Although Amed Rosario is expected to be the shortstop of the future, Cecchini could provide the Mets with some depth possibly even in 2016 as he is expected to begin the year for AAA Las Vegas.
Although the Mets signing SS Asdrubal Cabrera to a 2-year deal with an option for the third year making the future for Cecchini murky. If Cecchini keeps hitting and an injury happens I could still see him making his debut at some point this year and think he could be the stopgap for Rosario if need be.
#1 Amed Rosario
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 170 B/T: R/R Age: 11/20/95 (20)
2015 Level: St. Lucie Mets/Binghamton Mets
Stats: 105 games, 395 AB, 42 runs, 100 hits, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 0 homers, 26 RBI, 23 BB, 78 K, 13 SB, .253/.302/.329
Rosario expects to be one of, if not the best hitting prospects for the Mets entering the 2016 season. Although stats do not show it, Rosario was the youngest player in the Florida State League in 2015 and showed a ton of potential in his time there. Rosario has already been on many prospects lists entering the 2016 season including Baseball Prospectus as a top 100 prospect in MLB. Many expect Rosario to hit for average and power to progress as he gets older and continues to build strength, which he is currently doing while working out in Port St Lucie with Steve Barwis.
In 2015 Rosario struggled early in the season due to possibly skipping low A Savannah to start the season but rebounded to hit .318 in May. In June he struggled again, missing a few games due to a wrist injury but when he returned he has hit .290, ending the year with an average of .263. He joined the Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League, however his wrist injury cut his offseason assignment before he was able to play.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jeff Moore raved about his defense and many expect him to get better as he progresses through the system. Big expectations lay on Rosario’s shoulders starting in 2016 at Binghamton where he got a taste at the end of 2015. A bright future hopefully lies for Rosario and possibly over the next two years at Citi Field.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
On behalf of myself and Michael, we would like to welcome NYMets945 to the Metsminors.net Staff. He is a big Mets fan, prospect expert and a great follow on twitter at @Nymets945. Welcome!
– Teddy Klein
Welcome to the community. Looking forward to reading and ongoing dialog in the comment section.
Welcome NYMets945! Next time when making a prospect list can you include rate statistics like avg/obp/slg?
We have a lot of intriguing talent at SS. I am excited to see what these guys can do this year, especially Rosaro.
I think Cecchini will be starting at SS for the Mets in 2017 at the latest with Astrubal Cabrera moving to the bench. Once he cleans up his throws he will probably be ready.
Slash line is now in there, sorry about that. Cecchini worked hard on his throwing during the season and it was much better in the second half.
Where’s Luis Carpio? He should be no lower than 3rd on that list.
Noted in the top portion that he will be included in the second base countdown since he has played more games there.
Cecchini could end up at second long term and may be a matter of when – not if.
A lot of fans think Herrera is heir apparent. I don’t. I don’t think his
defensive tools are good enough and that his hitting has yet to
demonstrate major league readiness.
As 2012 Mets #1 pick, Cecchini will get every opportunity to be bona fide major league starter. With Rosario the SS of the future, Mets have been contemplating Cecchini at second base and may get time there this season in minors.
In the absence of extending Walker this offseason, there will be middle infield vacancy in 2017. And so, if Cecchini he has good all around 2016, he’s logical candidate to compete in spring training 2017 for starting job. Maybe at shortstop, maybe second – depends on where Cabrera plays.
If David can no longer start, there could be two infield vacancies. Cabrera could take over at third, opening SS and second for 2 new starters, or Mets pursue free agent third baseman such as Todd Frazier. and have one open middle infield job in 2017.
Either way, there’s most likely a vacancy and if will be settled in-house, Cecchini should be in the mix – even favorite.
We disagree on Herrera, definitely think he has a better MLB career with the bat and made strides with his defense last year. Herrera is a better defensive player right now than Cecchini. I would fully expect to see Herrera at 2B in 2017 with the possibility of Cecchini at SS.
Aha. I knew you guys were too good to miss him
Oops. Missed that Michael. Thanks
No problem! I think the possibility for him seeing more time this year at 2b is strong too, especially if him and Ramos are on same team.