We are getting close to the end of our top 80 prospects series. Brandon Nimmo has been the golden child of the Mets farm system for a few years now. However, the Nimmo fever has since cooled due to his injury concerns and mediocre performance.
#6 OF Brandon Nimmo
Ht: 6’3” Wt: 206 B/T: L/R Age: 3/27/1993 (Age 22)
2015 Level: Binghamton Mets (AA) and Las Vegas 51’s (AAA)
Statistics: 104 G, 376 AB, 48 R, 101 H, 16 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 48 BB/78 SO, 5 SB, 6 CS, .269/.362/.372
Nimmo was the first draft pick of the Alderson administration coming in at 13# overall in the 2011 draft. He embodies several traits that Sandy likes in a hitter which is patience, high OBP, and the ability to draw walks. He kept up that part of the bargain but he has failed to show power at most levels of the minors. He is also a career .268 hitter in the minors which has been underwhelming. This is just my opinion, but when I look at Nimmo swing a bat, it always looks heavy for him similarly to how it looks for Ruben Tejada. I see Nimmo as a scrappy singles and doubles hitter with very limited power in the big leagues.
From all of the scouting reports I have read on Nimmo, one of the biggest takeaways is his ability to get into hitter’s counts but then being too passive in those counts. In 2016, I would like to see Nimmo be more aggressive once he is in those hitter’s counts. It could lead to more solid contact for him. There is still hope for Nimmo to be a solid major league player but he will need to be the kind of player that hits for a high average, can man center field, and can bat at the top of a lineup. Any hopes for a power corner outfielder at the MLB level seems to be unrealistic at this point.
His best campaign came in 2014, where he hit 10 home runs and batted .278 across high A and AA. If Nimmo can trump those numbers in Las Vegas and show more power, the Mets may seriously consider him to replace Cespedes, if he departs in free agency after the 2016 season. A platoon of Nimmo and Lagares in 2017 has the potential for competency given their handedness splits over the years. However, in addition to his performance, he has had multiple issues due to injuries. He must stay healthy.
If Nimmo can start to show signs of durability, continue to improve on his OBP, and play solid defense in CF, I project him as a good 4th outfielder/ platoon player at the big league level.
Prior Top 80 Prospects:
#6 Wuilmer Becerra #7 Desmond Lindsay,#8 Luis Carpio #9 Marcos Molina, #10 Robert Gsellman, #11 Logan Verrett, #12 Seth Lugo, #13 Jhoan Urena, #14 Gabriel Ynoa, #15 Ali Sanchez, #16 Luis Guillorme, #17 Chris Flexen, #18 Max Wotell, #19 Milton Ramos, #20 Akeel Morris, 25-21, 30-26 35-31, 40-36, 45-41, 50-46, 60-51, 70-61, 80-71
Prospect fatigue for most of the fans…
I know we got these out later than planned and I think we might have been a little crazy doing 80.
No worries I can read up on the kids everyday.
I was alluding to Nimmo specifically, fans have turned themselves away from him because he has been around for what feels like forever. Although he is right on track for average minor league stay.
I agree that many fans have just completely written him off as a bust which is unfortunate. His minor league timetable for a high school guy has actually been right on to me. Younger than Conforto but like you said some feel like he has been around forever.
If he stays healthy after this latest injury he’s gonna have a big year…it’s gonna be fun having a middle of the field in Vegas filled with top echelon prospects CF Nimmo, SS Cechinni, 2B Herrera, and possibly C Plawecki
Not really just fans.
Lol, while he will never be a superstar like you hope from a first round pick he will at least be a 4th outfielder. I know that is disappointing but still think he has lengthy MLB career.
Vegas is going to have a very very good roster thus year and Binghamton is going to have a fun infield to watch.
It was a waisted pick. We could have Fernandez.
I don’t think it was a wasted pick although the 13 teams including the Mets that passed on Fernandez would certainly love to do a redo. I shouldn’t say all 13 because I’m sure the Pirates and Indians are very happy with their picks.
Wasn’t a good pick, but hindsight isn’t necessary in the draft. Not every team is going to hit.
Michael I am wondering what it is that makes you think nimmo will even get to the bigs the kid has never shown anything other than a good eye at the plate and unless he stays as a CF he doesn’t have anything like corner outfielder numbers so I don’t know what anyone sees why he would ever get to the show
I say that all the time but alderson was trying to show everyone how smart he is and screwed us!!!
If you read any of the pre-draft comments everyone I read said they believed Fernandez was the real deal but would cost money gee I wonder why we didn’t sign him!
Guy that is solid defender in CF and above average in LF and RF. Runs well and can get on base. Definitely think he is a 4th outfielder right now which would certainly be a disappointment for the Mets front office.
Michael THE KID CAN’T HIT AND HAS NO POWER! would have loved to see him pan out to help us but I think he was just a wasted pick
I think “can’t hit” is a little strong and no the power hasn’t developed like most thought/hoped it would. The reality is that he just turned 23 and can still be useful to the Mets.