With the amount of promising prospects that have come up through the Mets system recently, many fans have become more focused on the minor leagues. There are some that view the exciting crop of young players the Mets currently possess as a sign that New York will soon escape mediocrity, so the elite prospects have garnered a lot of attention. However, the Mets also possess a lot of other solid prospects that are underrated by many fans and even some analysts. Here are the top five underrated position players in the Mets system:
5. Travis Taijeron: While Taijeron has usually been an older prospect for his level, he possesses impressive power potential. Taijeron dominated Florida State league pitching this season, hitting .303 with nine home runs, 20 doubles and 27 RBIs in 188 at bats. His average has dropped considerably since being promoted to AA, but he is still hitting for a lot of power. Taijeron has 13 home runs, 16 doubles, 39 RBIs, while posting a .486 slugging percentage in 62 games for AA Binghamton. Although there are legitimate concerns surrounding Taijeron, he provides the Mets with a powerful right hand bat with some upside.
4. Darrell Ceciliani: Ceciliani is an athletic center fielder with an enticing combination of speed and power. He has been a catalyst at the top of Binghamton’s lineup this season, hitting .273 while scoring 61 runs and stealing 31 bases in 110 games. Ceciliani hasn’t hit for a lot of power yet, but at 6’1” 220 pounds he has the potential to hit for more power in the future. The outfielder is regarded as solid defender, and he is a severely underrated prospect.
3. Wilfredo Tovar: With the lack of options the Mets have at shortstop, Wilfredo Tovar is a potential dark horse candidate to become the Met starting shortstop sometime in the future. Tovar doesn’t have much power, but he is a solid contact hitter and he rarely strikeouts. He has struggled to adjust to AA pitching, but in recent months he is starting to figure it out. The 21-year-old is hitting .282/.352/.387 for Binghamton since the beginning of June, and he has four home runs and 44 runs scored in his last 238 AB’s. Defensively, Tovar projects to be a standout defender at short with a strong and precise arm, and terrific range. A lot of people believe Tovar’s offense will prevent him from making an impact in the majors, but I believe he is a solid prospect because he’s an excellent defensive shortstop that has the ability to make consistent contact.
2. Matt den Dekker: Many people seem to think den Dekker only has value because of his glove, but he does carry some offensive upside. In addition to his elite defense in center field, den Dekker possesses a great combination of power and speed. He hit 17 home runs in less than 140 games in 2012 and 2011, and also stole over 20 bases both seasons. While there are some questions about his offense, there are no questions surrounding his defense. He has fantastic range, and he makes incredibly difficult catches look routine. If he performs well for the Mets this season, a platoon with him and Juan Lagares is definitely something New York should consider next season.
1. Jayce Boyd: Jayce Boyd ranks as the most underrated prospect in the system because he’s had a phenomenal season for St. Lucie and Savannah, yet he doesn’t seem to receive a lot of recognition. Overall, Boyd is hitting .325 with nine home runs, 80 RBIs and a .405 on base percentage in 119 games this season. Even though he’s hit just nine homers this year, he does possess plenty of power potential. Boyd stands at 6’3” 185 pounds, and he is someone scouts always thought could hit for a lot of power. Not only is the first baseman a serious threat with the bat, but he also plays superior defense. Boyd was rated as the best defensive first baseman in the South Atlantic League by Baseball America this season, and he was regarded as an excellent defender coming out of college. A shoulder injury has slowed him down recently, but he is an intriguing prospect that has a very bright future in the Mets organization.
While all these prospects have some flaws, they deserve a lot more recognition going forward because of their potential and their performances this season. All of these players aren’t far away from the majors, so they all could potentially be up here relatively soon.
Who are your most underrated position players in the Mets minor league system?
Boyd needs to gain 15 lbs and Ceciliani needs to lose 15 lbs in order to hit for more power in Boyd’s case and steal more bases/cover ground in CF for Ceciliani.
I am not that big a fan of Tovar as others. The glove is there but I doubt his long-term offensive capabilities.
Taijeron is a really interesting case. He’s such a streaky hitter at times.
.281 / 6 HRs in June
.183 / 2 HRs in July
.247 / 5 HRs in August
22 HRs across both levels in 408 ABs is pretty solid. The power has always been there but…hm. I like him but we’ll see.
Perhaps, it’s could be a good idea to drop a few pounds, but having watched Ceciliani some 25 times this season, I can state for a fact, the kid can run. He leads the B-Mets with 31 stolen bases and is a solid, dependable outfielder who covers a lot of ground. Some scoff because it Double-A. Yet, in some ways Ceciliani’s outfield play resembles that of Juan Lagares, a guy whose defensive potential went almost unnoticed by most when he played at Binghamton.
Good stuff Vinny. Some interesting names.
I definitely expected Boyd to be on this list. Surprised you didn’t mention Lawley. Honestly, the Bing Mets deserve tons of credit as a team and some of their key players have been overshadowed by names like Vaughn and Dysktra. Nice list– I’m obviously in agreement regarding MdD
TJ Rivera, Dustin Lawley, Alan Dykstra
The triple a outfield looks very crowded. Lawley (promoted?), puello, vaughn, Travis, kirk, Baxter, Duda, den Decker … Makes me think we re going through another year of seeing what are of can do. I don’t mind, I’m really intrigued at what Lawley. Travis and Puello can do.
Nice list. Totally agree on Boyd but Tovar will be extremely lucky if he finds himself as a utility infielder in the majors for more than a couple years. Maybe he’s the next Omar Quintanilla- bounces back and forth from AAA to the majors with a couple extended looks.
Nice list, Boyd is someone to keep an eye on.