Photo by Jennifer Nieves, MMN
Noted and respected “prospect prognosticator” John Sickels is the latest baseball writer to join The Athletic, and his annual Top 100 prospects has been released with both Peter Alonso and Andres Gimenez being named to the list.
In what may be seen as a growing trend, Sickels has named Alonso as the top Mets prospect in ranking him above Gimenez and as the 48th best prospect. Calling him a B+ prospect, Sickels denotes Alonso has 70 power. As Fangraphs has detailed, 70 power is prospect speak for a 30+ home run bat. Like many, Sickels believes his 2018 season has propelled his stock, and he believes Alonso will contribute to the Mets during the 2019 season.
Like Alonso, Gimenez was rated a B+ prospect. Whereas Alonso is a middle of the order type of slugger, Sickels characterizes the 51st ranked Gimenez as a “potent leadoff man” due to his above-average speed and “mature approach for his age.” In the future, Sickels foresees the possibility Gimenez could develop power. Overall, despite Gimenez being regarded as above-average defensively, he may have to move to second due to Amed Rosario. Sickels pegs Gimenez’s ETA as 2020.
It should be noted if not for the trade with the Seattle Mariners, the Mets would have had three Top 100 prospects as Jarred Kelenic was rated as the 67th best prospect in the game. Sickels rated Kelenic a B+ prospect and called him “the complete package.”
Looking forward, Sickels names Shervyen Newton and Simeon Woods-Richardson as two sleeper prospects who have “breakout potential within the next two or three years.”
Newton hit .280/.408/.449 with 16 doubles, two triples, five homers, and 41 RBI in 56 games for Kingsport last season. The 19 year old Newton is seen as a promising hitter who will eventually shift from shortstop to third base or a corner outfield position. He also has the tools as a future leader as he is mature, and with his speaking multiple languages, he has served as a translator for his teammates.
Woods-Richardson is a big armed 18 year old pitcher who the Mets selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. He flashes both velocity and high spin rates with him not only being able to throw up to 97 MPH, but he was also able to strike out 13.5 batters per nine in limited duty between Gulf Coast and Kingsport last season.
In addition to Sickels’ Top 100 list being published, the Six Man Rotation released their Top 150. The Six Man Rotation ranked four Mets among with top 150 – Gimenez (24), Alonso (58), Ronny Mauricio (73), and Mark Vientos (74). The outlet would also rank Kelenic (63) and Justin Dunn (99) among their top 150.
Overall, this is an indication of how even after the trades from this offseason, the Mets still have talented prospects in their system and how the future is bright for the Mets organization.
