There’s no offseason for both the Mets Minors staff and the Mets prospects themselves. I have spent the past month communicating with about a dozen prospects and other sources gathering information on the happenings of all your favorite players throughout the farm system.

I have received updates on players, training regime, health and updates from the recent Instructional League the Mets organization held in November for its top 30 prospects as well as some of the highly regarding DSL players and one particular top 10 organization prospect who was there to catch the eye of all the coaches.

I have updates on those sprinkled all over Mets Minors top 30 rankings, as well as those hovering just outside the list who are fighting for impact seasons in 2020.

I believe it only makes sense to start the off-season prospect updates with my favorite person in the organization. Now 23 year old outfielder Hansel Moreno was first in training with his assigned winter ball team in the Dominican Republic before heading to Australia to play with the Auckland Tuatara. I’m told Hansel was specifically sent to participate in the league to play center field.

His coach with St. Lucie Mets Chad Kreuter recently praised Hansel and his natural instincts at the position, feeling as though the sky is still the limit for Hansel if he can finally put together his tools and the consistency that is needed to succeed at the pro level offensively.

Unfortunately I have to also report that Hansel had to be shut down after nine games with the club after a freak accident injury occurred during what would be his final at bat of the off-season. he finished hitting .222 (6 for 27) with four runs scored, a double, three RBI, three walks, and eight strikeouts. Hansel had been focused offensively on improving his plate discipline, and being more disciplined against the breaking ball, which he felt teams were pounding him with during the season to get him to chase.

Conner O’Neil, a 25-year-old reliever who pitched in five games for the Columbia Fireflies and 27 games for the Lucie Mets, has been attending a velocity specific training facility this offseason owned by former major league pitcher Joe Beimel. Conner is attending in hopes to add a few miles per hour on his fastball as he looks to improve on his 2019 numbers after having a successful 2018 with the organization.

Remember the other guy in the trade that brought the Mets J.D Davis? That’s 24-year-old utility player Cody Bohanek that spent 2019 playing all over the field for the St. Lucie Mets. Cody is spending the offseason working on being more consistent offensively.  Known as more of an on-base guy and gap hitter, Cody is training specifically on his lower body, strengthening and positioning himself at the plate.

He is also working on his flexibility and even mental toughness to gear up for the coming season. He has started his throwing program earlier than usual this winter in hopes to build more arm strength, which in my opinion is a sign he is further working on his versatility to show the organization he can play both infield and outfield again in 2020.

Major League infielder Luis Guillorme looks to be possibly in the best shape of life as a pro this offseason, training at Barwis Methods and also traveling around South Florida getting in batting practice at numerous locations and facilities in the local area. Of note he has also been seen this winter training and taking BP with Mets outfield prospect Desmond Lindsay, who hopes to resurrect this pro career as well on the minors side.

Sidearm reliever 24-year-old Stephen Villines has had the pleasure recently of training and throwing in Italy where his girlfriend, a professional volleyball player, was participating in a tournament. Stephen has admittedly gone back to the drawing board tightening up his pitches and command after he dominated the AA level in 28 overall appearances but struggled with Syracuse in AAA. Stephen remains a pitcher to keep an eye on in 2020 as a possible call up option during the season.

St. Lucie Mets starter turned reliever Marcel Renteria continues to build up strength during the winter. He is in his hometown in Arizona working on his power and body strengthening.  Already throwing in the upper 90s Marcel is looking to further improve his mindset and pitches as a full time reliever.

Teenage pitcher Zach Hammer, now age 19, will be entering his third season in pro ball in 2020. It has been a slow process in development for Zach who through two seasons, both at GCL level, has only pitched in 13 games making his first two starts in 2019. The right-hander is spending the winter working on a specific weight gain and strengthening program. He has already started his long toss routine and has started working back with his personal pitching coach. Zach is focused on gaining back the fastball velocity he had coming out of high school.

Top 10 prospect Kevin Smith had other accomplishments this winter. Kevin, who spent parts of the 2019 season and offseason taking online courses has officially received his degree from the University of Georgia, majoring in business.

Kevin participated in the recent instructional league in November, where he was one of the oldest to participate in the camp. I’m told he was there mostly because of the positive buzz surrounding him following the 2019 season and that multiple pitching coaches and staff wanted a first hand look at him during the two-week program.

Which brings me to the overall information and insight I received overall regarding the Instructional league as a whole. All of the top prospects in the organization were there, including all recent top draft picks, low level prospects and some chose to come stateside to participate from the DSL level.  I’m told for example that recent first round pick Brett Baty is an extremely hard worker. The name that comes to mind is Pete Alonso, as far as his maturity, work ethic, respect for the game and receiving all coaching and information like a sponge.

Matthew Allan also was in camp showing off his ability and hard work.  His 12-6 curve ball continues to be all the rage within the organization and he too has a solid work ethic and mindset.

I’m told 3B prospect Mark Vientos had a solid camp working out and in his training.  This could be a big year for the now 20-year-old.

Ronny Mauricio was also there working out, showing off his tools and ability. Ronny continues to profile as an everyday shortstop. Still more development needed, but he will play out the 2020 season at age 19. Plenty of room to grow. Consistency on defense and in-game power are two things to watch for in 2020. That could determine his status as good versus elite prospect and player going forward.

One intriguing player to watch in 2020 is big right hand pitcher Bryce Hutchinson. The now 21-year-old is coming off a season where he was juggled in the bullpen and rotation for the Columbia Fireflies, often piggy backing now former top prospect Simeon Woods-Richardson before later ending the season in the rotation.  The organization is overhauling his mechanics and cleaning up some issues they feel they found in his overall arsenal of pitches and usage.

The intrigue for me is where the organization envisions him going forward, starter or reliever. Coaches have been working with Bryce on his pitches and natural movement to try in a way to mimic that of Nats start pitcher Max Sherzer, while also teaching Bryce the Jeurys Familia sinker.

Right now it still appears to be an unknown at this point what direction they want to go with him.  Based on his bulldog mentality and toughness under pressure with men on base, a full time move to the pen might be a long term option here.

That about wraps up my latest insight, information and analysis from all things Mets minors so far this off-season. Please check back for further updates and news throughout the winter.