; ;

Teddy Klein: 10 Players I Believe are Top 50 Worthy

By Ted Klein

February 21, 2018 7 Comments

(Jennifer Nieves/Metsminors.net)

RHP Ricky Knapp

The son of pitching coach, Rick Knapp, Ricky has been the forgotten man in the Mets’ system for quite a long time. Knapp pitched excellent in 2015 and 2016 before hitting a wall in 2017 in Las Vegas. While being unable to strike many guys (6.3 K/9), Knapp has proven time and time again that he is durable in a farm system that hasn’t kept many pitchers healthy, throwing 163.2 innings (25 starts) in 2016 and 171.2 innings (29 starts) in 2017. Knapp pitches anywhere from 87-92 with and average cutter, slider, curve, and above-average change. He’ll likely return to Vegas, even though he hasn’t fared well in the thin air in both trips he’s taken.

RHP Michel Otanez

Signed at 17, the Dominican Righthander was bumping 93-96 before going down with Tommy John Surgery at the end of 2016. He could make waves stateside sometime this year.

(Photo Credit: Allen Greene Photography)

OF Anthony Dirocie:

Dirocie had a big year in Kingsport in 2017, and has shown that if he can make contact, he can destroy a baseball. Dirocie launched 11 homers, tying with Jose Miranda for the Appy League Lead. Dirocie can show athleticism in the outfield, playing all but one game in center field. While 33 of Dirocie’s 58 hits went for extra bases, he struck out in 37% of his plate appearances. If he can hone his plate discipline, there could be a monster on our hands. He should be in either Columbia or Brooklyn this coming season.

3B Blake Tiberi:

The 3rd round pick out of Louisville in 2016 has had some trouble making lasting impressions so far on the field, but he is due for a breakout. Tiberi only played five games for Columbia in 2017 before going down for Tommy John Surgery. Tiberi, when healthy has been shown to be an excellent hitter, with the ability to post high OBP’s and and a great gap-to-gap approach. He’s due to make finally make that good impression in Columbia in 2018.

OF Ranfy Adon:

At 17, Adon posted interesting numbers in the Dominican Summer League. He was poised for a big year in Kingsport last year, but went down with a forearm injury, after one game and then was bumped back to Gulf Coast League when he returned because they saw Anthony Dirocie do well in his own right. Adon seems like a real tools guy, capable of posting great OBP’s, stealing bases, and hitting for power. He’s likely heading back to Kingsport or possibly going to Brooklyn at age-20.

RHP Matt Cleveland

A Connecticut righty signed out of high school for 300k, Cleveland shows some promise as a projectable righty that can touch up to 94, but needs to develop some feel on his secondary pitches. In 12 games, he showed to be effectively wild. Cleveland will likely take his talents to Kingsport for 2018.

OF Raul Beracierta

A very good athlete signed in 2016, Beracierta showed some promise in the Dominican Summer League as a 17 year old. At 18, Beracierta came stateside and held his own in the Gulf Coast League. He has good speed, and a quick bat, and may be able to stick in center field. He should be a prime candidate for Kingsport in his age-19 season.

RHP David Marcano

Mets signed righty Marcano at the end of last August on his 16th birthday for an unknown, but large bonus.. The Venezuelan righty gets up to 92 miles per hour with an above-average curve and some feel for a changeup. His assignment is unknown at this time.

RHP Tony Dibrell

A 2017 4th rounder, Dibrell has promise as a starter, reaching the mid-90’s at times and showing at least two promising pitches. His breaking ball comes in a bit slurvy, but has sweeping movement and decent break. His changeup flashes plus from time to time. His biggest issue is the fact that he was overused at Kennesaw State, but should be in line to start in the rotation in Columbia.

RHP Marcel Renteria

A short righty taken out of New Mexico State in the 6th round in 2017, Renteria is a nice little arm with some good potential to move fast if they place him as a reliever. As a starter, Renteria throws 92-94, touching 97 with a hard curve that flashes above-average. While I believe he should be a reliever, the team will likely place him in the Columbia Rotation.

Latest Comments
  1. MetsNextYear
  2. WallFlores
  3. philosophery
  4. Michael Mayer
  5. MetsNextYear