(Ashley Marshall/MiLB.com)
Third base is definitely a spot for the Mets that is limited prospect wise with the suspension of Eudor Garcia and the lost 2015 season from Jhoan Urena. The Mets do have a bunch of other guys that aren’t strictly third baseman but have played there recently like T.J. Rivera, Jeff McNeil, and Yeffry De Aza.
Ht: 5’9 Wt: 160 Level: Rookie GCL B/T: R/R Age: 3/21/1996 (19) Age Dif: -0.4
Statistics: 36 G, 126 PA, 104 AB, 31 H, 5 2B, HR, 5 SB, 11 BB/21 K, .301/.375/.379
Profile: Signed in 2012 for 140k out of Venezuela, Rasquin is a small stocky guy with a very solid stroke, as well as approach. He played third and second base in 2015 while having experience in the outfield, catcher, and first base in his career. However, right now it’s a line drive stroke and while he has a good approach, he’s not going to hit for too much pop. – Teddy Klein
Top 80 MMN Prospect Ranking: #61
Probable 2016 Assignment: Potential infielder in Brooklyn’s 2016 team.
Ht: 6’2 Wt: 175 Level: DSL Rookie B/T: L/R Age: 8/13/1998 (17) Age Dif: -2.3
Acquired: Signed for $1,000,000 out of Venezuela in 2014
Statistics: 64 G, 276 PA, 245 AB, 48 H, 10 2B, 4 3B, 2 sB, 23 BB/45 K, .196/.268/.269
Profile: Only one of 6 IFA (of the 16-23 age range) ever signed by the Mets for 7 figures, Kenny Hernandez has some potential. Touted as the “best swing in the class” in 2014, Hernandez was trained at the Carlos Guillen Academy before signing and figures to be an upwards of .280/15 hr player with a patient line drive approach. With some power, that may change at time and he might be able to get to 20 home runs in a peak year, but might always be contact-first.
In the Dominican Summer League he struggled early for a .121/.187/.169 in his first 33 games before moving from the DSL 2 team to the DSL 1 team. A switch flipped in the DSL 1 team, and in his final 31 games he rebounded to hit .273/.350/.372. He will likely be a long-term project but he is one bonus baby to keep your eyes on. He will likely be a full time 3rd baseman in the future, after splitting time between there and shortstop – Teddy Klein
Top 80 MMN Prospect Ranking: #40
Probable 2016 Level: One of the short season affiliates, Kingsport most likely.
Courtesy of Sun-Sentinel.com
Ht: 6’2 Wt: 220 Level: Short-Season A Age: 8/28/1993 (22) Age Diff: -.1
Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 Draft out of the University of Miami
2015 Stats: 59 G, 228 PA, 206 AB, 45 H, 10 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 3 SB, .218/.268/.320
Profile: An offensive star for Miami, Thompson is a real slugger who led the college ranks in home runs with 19 in 2015 after breaking home run records in florida in his high school days. After leading the Hurricanes to the College World Series, he was drafted in the 4th round for 2015 and joined the Brooklyn Cyclones where he did not fare well, hitting .218/.268/.320. We’ll treat this as an aberration, considering his bat profile being strong, while the bat speed is slow, he could definitely slug over 25 home runs a year, and has an idea of what to do at the plate.
However, after two shoulder surgeries and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Thompson has lost strength in his right arm meaning he will likely not be able to throw across the diamond to first with any force. There is a likelihood Thompson will have to move across the diamond. – Jacob Resnick
Top 80 MMN Prospect Ranking: 23
Probable 2016 Assignment: Columbia
#2 Eudor Garcia
Ht: 6’0 Wt: 225 Level: Savannah Age: 5/14/1994 (21) Age Diff: -.5
Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2014 out of El Paso Community College
2015 Stats: 105 G, 429 PA, 398 AB, 118 H, 23 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 5 SB, 22 BB/95 K, .296/.340/.442
Profile: Despite having a PED suspension smacked on him on January 19th for bumetanide and furosemide that will keep him out for the first 80 games of the season, we have him in our top 25 without worry or any negative disposition towards his use. Garcia, with or without Performance Enhancing Drugs is a talented hitter, showing power in the Historic Grayson Stadium which is one of the toughest parks in the minors for a lefty to hit homeruns. With plus bat speed and the ability to hit for average and power with his quick left stroke, he has the upside to hit .280 with 20 home runs, should he reach that potential. One thing that he should work on, however, is cutting down on strikeouts.
On the other side of his game, he has a lot to work on if he wants to stay a 3rd baseman. With a below-average arm, and 30-grade speed, he is not very agile, and his hands aren’t too soft either for the hot corner. There could be a possibility that he moves to first base, or maybe left field. Either way, his bat will play anywhere. – Teddy Klein
Top 80 MMN Prospect Ranking: #22
Projected 2016 Level: Will go to High-A St. Lucie after he serves his 80-Game Suspension.
Brooklyneagle.com
#1 Jhoan Urena
Ht: 6’1 Wt: 200 Level: Gulf Coast League & St. Lucie A+ B/T: S/R Age: 9/1/1994 (21) Age Dif: -2.6
Acquired: International Free Agent, 2011 out of the Dominican Republic
Statistics: 69 G, 241 PA, 225 AB, 50 H, 6 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 3 SB, 15 BB/40 K, .222/.274/.302
The Mets decided to be aggressive with the talented switch hitter after a great 2014 season in which he hit .300/.356/.431 for the Brooklyn Cyclones. He named to the New York-Penn League mid-season all-star team and was a Baseball America Short Season all-star.
Unfortunately 2015 season did not go well for Urena who struggled mightily to being the season, hitting just .195 in April. His season was turning around a little when he cut down on his strikeouts in May and hit .270. Then came the injuries, he missed all of June, part of July, and was back on the disabled list again in September. Over the season he broke both of his hamate bones (wrist) which makes it tough to produce any kind of power.
Urena has a strong arm (best in Mets system according to BA last two years) at third base and is athletic enough to come in on balls which should be enough to keep him at the hot corner long-term. His best skills come from his potential at the plate, looks like he will have average power and has already shown the a good line drive approach that will allow to him to hit for a high average.
Top 80 MMN Prospect Ranking: #13
Probable 2016 Assignment: St. Lucie to start before heading to Binghamton
Prior Top 5’s – Top 5 Catcher Prospects, Top 5 RHP, Top 5 Shortstops, Top 5 Outfielders, Top 5 First Base, Top 5 LHP, Top 5 Second Baseman
The group is distant but there is upside. By this time next year you may be adding Guerrero to the mix as well.
I should also mention De Aza, who will garner some attention as he heads north
Definitely some upside, I really like Urena despite the rough year. I think Guerrero ends up at 3B too but I don’t want to move him before he plays a pro inning.
I don’t see a reason to have him move off SS until Brooklyn at the earliest, 2 DSL teams and one aggressive move with either him or Gimenez.