Gulf Coast Mets SS/3B Mark Vientos was ranked by Baseball America as the 10th best prospect in the Gulf Coast League this season.  Despite the Gulf Coast Mets having some talented prospects, Vientos was the only player from the team to be ranked in the top 20.

Vientos was the Mets second round draft pick this year and was labeled one of the top prep bats in the country.  Over the course of the season, Vientos would hit .262/.318/.398 with 14 doubles, four homers, and 26 RBI.  He would improve as the season went along hitting three homers in August and getting a promotion to Kingsport for the final four games of their season.

Many anticipate Vientos will improve over this season as he matures.  As noted by Baseball America, Vientos is a patient hitter with plus power potential.  As he develops and learns how to hit the ball with more loft, he’s likely to hit more home runs.

At the moment, the Mets seemed content to let Vientos spend much of his time at shorstop.  However, as noted by Baseball America, many doubt Vientos has the range to stick at the position.  However, he should have enough range, hands, and arm strength to move to be a good third baseman.

Overall, Vientos was one of the younger players in this year’s draft with him not during 18 until this December.  That makes his holding his own in his first professional season all the more impressive.  It also gives you reason to believe he’s poised to have a big year next year as he continues to mature.