Mets Draft Review
So, as you all know, I was very active over the draft this past weekend (at the poor expense of my girlfriend), but it was a lot of fun nonetheless. I know you guys know most of the scouting reports, but I want to go through pick-by-pick and share my thoughts about each. I will go down the line and talk about who I like, who I don’t, and who I don’t know enough about for this review, as well as if they will sign, and where they will go if signed.
Round 1: OF Michael Conforto, College, Jr
In over 60 mocks I canvassed, he was chosen 17 times. I believe the people comparing him to Lucas Duda are incorrect. When it comes to LF he’s fringy, he isn’t dreadful. As for his bat, I believe it’ll move him quickly through the system. You’re looking at a future .270-.280 hitter with 20-25 homers as early as two years from now.
Like? Not really. I don’t hate it, but don’t like it either. I saw it coming though.
Signing? Yes
Destination? Brooklyn.
Round 3: SS Milton Ramos, HS
I knew about Ramos. He’s probably the best defensive shortstop in the draft and has plus speed and a good arm. His bat is the main question– which is why he dropped so much. If his bat improves, he’ll draw Alcides Escobar comparisons. His bat should play up and he has a bit of power with his quick swing. All he needs are reps as well as some mechanical adjustments in order to join the line of good middle-infield prospects that the Mets are building in the lower minors.
Like? Yes, great defense; High Ceiling.
Signing? Likely
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Round 4: 3B Eudor Garcia-Pacheco, Community College
This kids is a supreme hitter. Baseball America and others just say the kid can flat out hit. He’ll be a plus hitter, and a kid who will hit it far as well. For now he’s going to play at third, but his arm is fringy and so is his running, so he’ll have to go to either left field or first base in the future. However he’s someone you might want to keep tabs on, because he will probably put up some good numbers.
Like? Love
Signing? In NY signing
Destination? Brooklyn or Kingsport, telling by twitter
Round 5: RHP Josh Prevost
Tall (6’8”) from Seton Hall, seems like an interesting guy with a fastball from 90-94, a slider, and change to go with great control. Will definitely be a fast mover.
Like? Could have used the pick better, but could be worse, for sure.
Signing? Has already signed apparently.
Destination? I’m feeling Savannah as the other arms move up, but likely Brooklyn.
Round 6: C Tyler Moore, College JR
I couldn’t find information, so I’m going off Paul DePodesta. He came through in the clutch a lot for LSU, and can hit pretty well. They definitely want him to stick at catcher, but I’ve heard he’s not good behind the dish. Hopefully that can change, another catching prospect is always welcome.
Like? Meh, good bat, maybe different position needed?
Signing? Yes, signed for 280k already.
Destination? Why am I feeling Brooklyn or Kingsport?
Round 7: LHP Brad Wieck College JR
I couldn’t find much, but his numbers are great, 118k’s in 69 innings. DePo providing that he pitched up to 94 makes me think of Leathersich, except he’s nearly a foot taller at 6’9”. Knock is shaky control.
Like? I’ll have to see more
Signing? Likely
Destination? Brooklyn or Kingsport
Round 8: 1B Dash Winningham, HS
Mets have been on him since last year. Has a ton of power. Our Senior Editor David Conde will have more soon on this guy, since he lives in his area.
Like? Yes
Signing? Signed, per his brother.
Destination? Gulf Coast League or Kingsport.
Round 9: OF/1B Michael Katz, College JR
Guy simply raked in college. Mets listed him as an OF, which the MLB draft anchors were very confused about. He hits for a ton of power though, blasting 14 homers to lead the league, but scouts are unsure about him hitting premium velocity.
Like? A little
Signing? I’d assume so.
Destination? You’re looking at your Brooklyn 1B or RF if Conforto is there.
Round 10: LHP Kelly Secrest, College Senior
Don’t know much on him, college senior, Lefty, reliever, had a 1.73 era this year with 38k in 36.1ip. Fast moving reliever, maybe? Smallish Frame, very thin, 5’11” 90-92, hits 94. Lagging breakers.
Like? Could have used on something higher upside.
Signing? Is signing
Destination? Brooklyn
I’ll shorten it up now:
Rd 11: RHP Connor Buchmann, College Jr
Hasn’t pitched much in college due to injury, but has reached 98, that’s all I know.
Like? I’ll wait, but not optimistic.
Signing? Might not, to get in a better standing, money wise, next year.
Destination? Kingsport, because he doesn’t have much college experience.
Rd 12: RHP Alex Durham, HS
Has a nice projectable frame, free and easy delivery. 17 years old, so very young.
Like? Don’t know enough about him, that will change.
Signing? Changed his twitter to “New York Mets Baseball”
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Rd 13 RHP Eric Manoah
Eric Manoah is 87-92, velocity was down this spring, but flashes a plus curve.
Like? Eh
Signing? Maybe, will take a bunch, committed to Florida International
Destination? Gulf Coast League if Signed
Rd 14: C Daryl Knight, College Jr
Has a ton of raw power, raw behind the plate. Hit .338 with 15 home runs this past season.
Like? Yes, from a numbers standpoint
Signing? Leaning towards signing.
Destination? Kingsport
Rd 15: RHP Gabriel Llanes, HS
Very Young and raw, projectable, 88-91, makings of a slider.
Like? Would like to see what he becomes.
Signing? He tweeted yes
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Rd 16: LHP Joel Huertas, HS
88-91, no breaking ball, very raw, Interesting project
Like? Yes
Signing? Most likely, no college commitment
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Rd 17: LHP David Roseboom College Senior
Average fastball, plus slider, good cutter.
Like? Meh
Signing? Is going to sign
Destination? Brooklyn
Rd 18: OF Raphael Ramirez HS
Good swing, plus speed, not much power.
Like? Intriguing
Signing? No idea
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Rd 19: RHP Bryce Beeler, College JR
4.61 era 22g, 21 relief, 27.1 ip, 34k’s
Like? Eh
Signing? I’d bet on it
Destination? Kingsport
Round 20: RHP James Duff, College JR
Mets fan, 11GS 83.0 ip 1.84 era 62k’s
Like? Don’t know.
Signing? Yep
Destination? Brooklyn or Kingsport
Round 21: Luke Bonfield, OF, HS
Great hitter, could grow into power, committed to Arkansas.
Like? Yes
Signing? Unlikely
Destination? If Signed, Gulf Coast League or Kingsport
Round 22: William Fulmer, 2B, College Senior
Not related to Michael. .380 with 5hr last season.
Like? Meh
Signing? Yes
Destination? Brooklyn or Kingsport
Round 23: RHP Richard Moesker, HS
88-90, from Curacao
Like? No idea
Signing? Possibly, Committed to Miami-Dade CC
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Round 24: RHP Tyler Badamo, College Senior
Fastball up to 94, Great slider, curve, change. New York Native
Like? Meh
Signing? Yes
Destination? Brooklyn
Round 25: RHP Nicco Blank, JR College
Short Pitcher (5’9”) Fastball has gone up to 95 started well in Central Arizona
Like? On the fence
Signing? Think So
Destination? Brooklyn or Kingsport
Round 26: C Tommy Pincin, HS
Okay hit tool, Good Power, Meh Defense, Backup Ceiling
Like? No
Signing? Unlikely
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Round 27: RHP Alex Palsha, College Senior
Reliever, 35 games, 1.60 era
Like? Not really
Signing? Yes
Destination? Brooklyn or Savannah
Round 28: RHP Keaton McKinney, HS
A plus fastball, lagging breakers, would take 7 figures to sign him, he says.
Like? Yes
Signing? No
Destination? Arkansas
Round 29: RHP Matt Blackham, College JR
I know nothing.
Like? No idea
Signing? Likely
Destination? Kingsport or Brooklyn
Round 30: Tucker Tharp, OF, College Senior
Looks like he has speed and power in his stats
Like? Yes
Signing? Yes
Destination? Kingsport
Round 31: LHP Kurtis Horne, HS
Projectable Lefty from Canada.
Like? Yes
Signing? No
Destination? Gulf Coast League if Signed
Round 32: RHP Chris Glover, HS
Very Strong, large pitcher (6’4” 225 lbs) has a decent splitter.
Like? Eh
Signing? Possible
Destination? Gulf Coast League
Round 33: RHP Brady Puckett, HS
Tall 6’8”.
Like? No idea
Signing? Tweeted no
Destination? Lipscomb
Round 34: C Jordan Hand, HS
Don’t have much information for where he’s committed, but he seems pretty talented, strong, and from his video, has a decent swing with power. He’s got speed as well.
Like? A lot
Signing? Would need a large bonus to pry him away from wherever he’s going.
Destination? No clue.
Round 35: RHP Jonathan Teaney, HS
Quick arm but not physical, 88-91, good feel for offspeed. Commited To San Diego.
Like? A little
Signing? Doubt it
Destination? Likely San Diego
Round 36: RHP Garett King, HS
I know nothing, but I don’t think he’s signing, we’ll see. If he does, likely Gulf Coast League.
Round 37: SS Tristan Gray, HS
Apparently has 5 tools, other that, no idea.
Like? Yep
Signing? Unlikely
Destination? Gulf Coast League if signed
Round 38: RHP Kyle Dunster, HS
Like? No idea
Signing? Probably not, Committed to Boston College, though in twitter picture wearing Mets Uni
Destination? Likely Boston.
Round 39: CF Arnaldo Berrios, HS
Comes out of Beltran’s academy in Puerto Rico, has speed, and gap power, and a good swing.
Like? Yes, a lot
Signing? Yet to be seen, hope so
Destination? Kingsport, most likely.
Round 40: SS Dale Burdick, HS
Good athlete, hitter, runner. will perform well.
Like? Yes
Signing? Committed to Mississippi State, it’ll take a lot of money.
Destination: Missisippi State
My Take:
I love what we did here in the first 10 rounds, going after power. Conforto, Katz, and Garcia are all going to hit for power, and we took the top bats off the board because we knew we’d get some good pitchers later. I like the left-hander Huerta, and think they can make something out of him as well as the large stream of tall right-handers (look for yourself).
They definitely drafted for upside in bats, while arms, they brought in projectable, young arms. Some of the senior signs and obvious picks that weren’t going to sign I wasn’t a fan of, but the upside of some of these bats is solid.
Overall, pretty decent draft. Please draw your own conclusions below.
(Jaime Valdez – USA TODAY SPORTS)
