Welcome to the second installment of MMN’s offseason Organizational Depth Chart. Each week, we’ll take a look at the top players at each position in the Mets organization. We hope to provide Mets fans with some insight to what the Mets currently have at the major-league level, as well as some players they can expect to hear about from the minor-leagues in the coming years.
Second part of this series will move on over to first base.
MLB
Lucas Duda/Josh Satin/Ike Davis
Normally, I’d write up each player on their own — but it almost feels like we need to combine their respective talents to get a solid major league player. Duda is the most patient of the group — while Satin makes the most contact and Ike is probably the best fielder/has the most raw power. At different times, each of them has demonstrated the ability to play at a high level — but sustaining it for a long period of time is the problem. Davis frustrates me the most — you don’t hit 32 home runs by accident. I always thought he would be the star out of the group, but he failed to find himself last year. With the Mets unlikely to give Jose Abreu a serious offer, these are the names you’ll have to look forward to — and the few guys that are close in the minor league group.
On the Farm
1. Dominic Smith
Who else but Dominic Smith? Our first-round pick in 2013, Dominic Smith has the potential to turn into quite the young hitter down the line. He’s certainly not a liability on defense, considering he was once a corner outfielder, so he’ll turn into an asset at 1B defensively with a strong arm. He possesses a mature approach at the plate and could find himself moving through the system quickly, as he already made his way to Kingsport. He started this year off slow in the GCL as he was adjusting to facing more left-handed pitching — and pitchers that used more breaking balls. However, he turned it on as the year went along, dominating August with these stats: .372/.443/.526, 23.9% LD, 12.5% K (29-for-78). If I had to project him down the line, I often say he’ll turn into Todd Helton without the benefit of Coors Field — so perhaps a .280 hitter with 25-30 home runs. He could turn out to be the best first baseman the Mets have drafted in a while.
ETA: 2017
2. Allan Dykstra
Dykstra will likely play this year out in Las Vegas with the potential for a call-up looming through most of said year. The Mets are not strong at first base — and some are itching to see what Dykstra can do at the MLB level. Acquired in a trade for Eddie Kunz, he turned it on this year with a .274/.436/.503 slash — meaning he got on base almost 44% of the time. He cranked 21 long balls in just 489 plate appearances as well, and walked 102 times, which is pretty damn impressive. Dykstra likely won’t hit for a high average at the MLB level — because he strikes out too much — but could maybe crack about 10-15 home runs with a high OBP — which would seemingly fit the organizational philosophy.
ETA: 2014 (Sept.)
3. Jayce Boyd
Boyd owned Savannah last year — in fact, at the time of his promotion to St. Lucie, he was slashing .361/.441/.494. He finished the season batting .330/.410/.461 across both levels with nine home runs in 529 plate appearances. Dykstra’s got more pop in his bat than Boyd, but Boyd makes more contact and strikes out considerably less — which explains why he has some appeal. A polished hitter through and through, Boyd could find himself moving through the system quickly and on an MLB bench. He’s got a sweet swing and when you make contact as often as he does, they’ll find a job for you somewhere.
ETA: 2015
4. Matthew Oberste
Oberste was a guy that I liked coming out of the 2013 draft — I thought he could be a sleeper pick out of that group. He still has the tools to be a solid player someday — and oddly enough, he compares well to Jayce Boyd. Boyd is the better fielder of the two, but Oberste also makes solid contact without much in the home run column. There’s a really small chance he could start hitting for some power, but it’s hard to say. I think he’s got a good swing speed-wise, but mechanically his stride is long and will leave him prone to striking out a lot. He struggled to make contact this year with just a .208 average, three home runs, and 56 strikeouts in 273 plate appearances. I’m never one to give up on a player after their first year in the pros — especially short-season — so let’s see what happens.
ETA: 2018
5. Eric Campbell
Campbell will probably see some time with the MLB team as a bench player this season. A right-handed semi-utility bat, Campbell can play both corner infield and outfield positions in a pinch, although he seems most comfortable at first base. After injuries and some struggles in the Minors, Campbell will find himself at age-27 at the start of next season without much behind his name. He’s a good potential bench player, since he has pop in his bat (25 doubles in both ’12 and ’13) and a career average of .279. At his age, Campbell’s no longer a prospect, but with the Mets status at first base, anything is possible.
ETA: 2014
I see a lot of letters on this post but I only see 2 names that matter Smith and Boyd. I think that Boyd given the opportunity and fulfilling his potential to it’s fullest could be a 1st baseman in the Hernandez mold. Great D high average more of a doubles hitter than a home run hitter and I would gladly take anything even remotely approaching that. Dom Smith I have very high hopes for will not be quite the defender Boyd is but he won’t be a liability either he should fill out and be a real thumper in the middle of the order at some point
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming yet again to read further news.
Hi, how’s it going? I just shared this page with a friend, we’d a proper chuckle.