(Cliff Welch/MiLB)
Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com handed out grades for all 30 Major League teams for their minor league talent under the age of 22 as of April 7th, 2016 with the Mets receiving a B. That is actually the second worst grade he gave out for the National League East behind the Atlanta Braves (A-), Washington Nationals (B+), and the Philadelphia Phillies (B+). The worst grade in the NL East was a D that was given to the Miami Marlins.
He highlighted 1B Dominic Smith, SS Amed Rosario, OF Desmond Lindsay, SS/2B Luis Carpio, OF Wuilmer Becerra, and SP Marcos Molina as the Mets minor leaguers under the age of 22. Here is what he had to about a few of them:
The Mets’ best position player prospects find their way onto this list in first baseman Smith and shortstop Rosario, both of whom should be part of the Double-A Binghamton infield as 20-year-olds on Opening Day. If Smith can add a little to pop to an already solid offensive profile, he could surge even higher from his spot as MLB.com’s No. 51 overall prospect.
I would actually give the Mets are higher grade with the under 22 players in the system and that is partly because of the players Sam didn’t mention in his list.
Mets catching prospect Ali Sanchez will play the entire 2016 season at only 19 years old and has already jumped into the conversation of the Top 10 prospects in the system. His strengths right now are on the defensive side but has shown a good approach at the plate and has a .370 OBP in two minor league seasons.
Luis Guillorme will play the upcoming season at 21 years old, the defensive whiz has opened eyes after a good 2015 season with the bat that helped him win the South Atlantic League MVP award. We recently ranked him as our #16 prospect here in our Top 80 countdown.
Another under 22 player to keep an eye on is Jhoan Urena who will be 21 until September and I expect a big bounce back season from him. Love his bat but hamate injuries limited his 2015 season after the Mets were aggressive with him and had him skip Low-A.
Not too mention some of the good young arms like Max Wotell, Jake Simon, and Thomas Szapucki that the Mets picked up in the 2015 draft and are all currently only 19 years old.
Two guys that haven’t even played in a game for the Mets but have helped boost the talent in the lower minors are 2015 international signess Gregory Guerrero and Andres Gimenez. Both of the talented shortstops will make their professional debuts in 2016 at 17-years old.
