Saul Gonzalez/Perfect Game
On day three of the draft, the Mets continued to stockpile young talent. From picks 21 to 25, the team selected three more high schoolers and two college bats.
Round 21
Zachary Hammer
Height/Weight: 6’2” 165lbs
B/T: R/R
Position: RHS
Age: 17 (07/04/2000)
The Mets took right-handed pitcher Zachary Hammer in the 21st round. Hammer, a native of Stony Point, North Carolina, is a senior at Alexander Central High School. He is still seventeen years old and young for his class. Hammer is described as “a long, lean body type with a clean arm and plenty of room for growth,” said Brandon Hall of Prep Baseball Report. Hammer is committed to NC State University, said Hall.
Another NC prep RHP off the board in Zachary Hammer. Catawba Valley CC recruit. 6-3, 170 has good stuff, but can be wild. CB is a power pitch and FB peaked at 92 this spring. #Mets #mlbdraft
— Nathan Rode (@NathanRode) June 6, 2018
Round 22
Jaylen Palmer
Height/Weight: 6’3” 195lbs
B/T: R/R
Position: SS
Age: 17 (07/31/2000)
In the 22nd round, the Mets selected Jaylen Palmer, a shortstop out of Holy Cross High School in Queens, New York. Palmer, who played his high school ball in close proximity to Citi Field, is described by Baseball Player Report as a “tall and lean player.” He is described by Baseball Player Report as being athletic with good arm strength and lots of potential.
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Round 23
Saul Gonzalez
Height/Weight: 6’7” 235lbs
B/T: R/R
Position: RHP
Age: 18 (12/28/99)
The Mets selected righ-handed pitcher Saul Gonzalez in the 23rd round. Gonzalez, standing at 6’7” and 235 pounds, is a high schooler from Montverde Academy in Florida. The Puerto Rico native was a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American. Gonzalez, an Alabama State commit, has a good fastball and works in a curveball, but has no other breaking pitches to speak of.
Rank: 401
A big, 6-foot-7, 230-pound righthander, Gonzalez is an arm strength power pitcher with a fastball that has been up to 95-96 mph this spring. Scouts think that he can eventually throw in the upper 90s, but he has a long arm stroke and no breaking ball to speak of presently. During games this spring, Gonzalez pitched off of his fastball almost exclusively and would throw just one breaking ball in some looks. He’s also a below-average athlete. An Alabama State commit, Gonzalez is thought to be a tough sign, and while a team might bite on a future 70-grade fastball, it could be a tough sell without much in the way of secondary offerings.
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Round 24
Hayden Senger
Height/Weight: 6’1” 210lbs
B/T: R/R
Position: C
Age: 21 (04/03/1997)
In the 24th round, the Mets selected Hayden Senger, a catcher from Miami University (OH). Senger, a native of Liberty Township, Ohio, appeared in 44 games for the Redhawks this year, hitting .349/.435/.530 and being named to the All-MAC First Team. His breakout campaign is coming off a disappointing 2017 season in which he hit .172/.281/.242 in 41 games with the Redhawks. Senger excels defensively with a 42 percent caught stealing rate.
Round 25
David Miranda
Height/Weight: 6’0” 210lbs
B/T: L/L
Position: OF
Age: 23 (03/23/95)
In the 25th round, the Mets drafted David Miranda, an outfielder from Florida Atlantic University. Miranda, a Fullerton College transfer to FAU, hit .321/.406/.542 in 53 games this season. Miranda, a 23-year-old from Placentia, California, was among the leaders in Conference USA in RBI’s, runs, and hits.
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