(Tom Priddy/MiLB.com)

John Sickels of The Athletic has comprised his top 100 rankings for the 2020 season, and Ronny Mauricio was the only Mets prospect to make the list. In ranking Mauricio as the 72nd best prospect in the game, Sickels said:

Previously No. 69; .268/.307/.357 in Low-A but only 18 years old; strong defensive tools and considerable promise with the bat though understandably raw; a projection pick, do not expect quick impact.

It should be noted Mauricio was not the only Mets prospect to drop in these rankings. Entering 2019, Sickels had ranked Andres Gimenez as the 51st best prospect in the game. After a down year where he dealt with injuries, Gimenez did not even appear on Sickels’ “In The Picture” grouping.

It should be noted Shervyen Newton appeared in that section last year, and after his own injury plagued year, he did not reappear in that group.

The injuries to Gimenez and Newton is not the only reason the Mauricio was the only Mets prospect to make these rankings. Pete Alonso was the 48th ranked prospect last year, and he graduated from the list in a season where he set the rookie home run record and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The bigger reason why the Mets only had one prospect on these rankings is Brodie Van Wagenen’s trades. In his trades for Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, and Marcus Stroman, the Mets traded away four top 100 prospects. If the Mets did not make those deals, they would have the 12th (Jarred Kelenic), 70th (Simeon Woods Richardson) 83rd (Justin Dunn), and 86th (Anthony Kay).

While the Mets only have one prospect in this year’s rankings, it should not remain that way for long. Most of the other top 100 rankings have Francisco Alvarez ranked, and Matthew Allan is a much hyped breakout candidate. With better health in 2020, we could also see Gimenez reappear on these rankings. This should serve as a reminder that even with all the talent traded away, there is still plenty of young and exciting talent in the Mets farm system.