(MILB.com)
Today we talk about the dearth…er, depth we have at catcher. Okay, maybe it isn’t as great as the times we had with Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki coming through the system, but there are some guys that you’ll see coming through to watch and look forward to. The Mets 2015 pick Mazeika being one of them, doing an excellent job raking in the Appalachian League. However, we have a teenager leading the list, who is an excellent receiver, and has a developing bat that we will be watching closely from now on.
(Tomas Nido’s Twitter @tnido24)
5. Tomas Nido
Ht: 6’0 Wt: 200 Level: Low-A Savannah Sand Gnats B/T: R/R Age: 4/12/1994 (21) Age Dif: -0.5
Acquired: 8th round pick in 2012
Statistics: 86 G, 335 PA, 317 AB, 14 2B, 6 HR, 14BB/86K, .259/.284/.372
Profile: Former high school battery mate of Robert Whalen, Nido was highly touted for his plus power before the draft. However, that never manifested, considering his career peak was this year with 6 home runs in 86 games.
Level: We should see him either repeat Low-A or get a crack with St. Lucie.
(Credit: Allen Greene)
Ht: 6’3 Wt: 225 Level: Short Season-A B/T: R/R Age: 2/17/95 (20) Age Dif: -1.1
Acquired: A 36th rounder out of the 2013 draft.
Statistics: 59 G, 206 PA, 168 AB, 10 2B, 3b, 3 HR, 28/75 BB/K, .179/.325/.304
Profile: Brosher has an intriguing profile. He has the most power in this system, which means he has some great potential. However, he struck out at a high clip (36%), and has struggled to hit and field too. He has a long way to go. Another upside: He knows how to draw a walk.
Level: Repeating Brooklyn or going to Columbia
(MILB.com)
3. Jose Garcia
Ht: 6’0 Wt: 200 Level: Short Season-A B/T: L/R Age: 11/3/1994 (21) Age Dif: -1.1
Acquired: Signed for 800k in 2011 out of Venezuela
Statistics: 35 G, 114 PA, 105 AB, 30 H, 6 2B, 7 BB, 23 K, .286/.342/.343
Profile: Has above-average catching ability, with intelligence and a quick release. He alternated with Brandon Brosher in Brooklyn. He has a solid line-drive stroke but must develop more pop.
Level: Columbia
(http://e-edition.timesnews.net/)
2. Pat Mazeika
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 220 Level: Rookie Kingsport B/T: L/R Age: 10/14/1993 (22) Age Dif: +.5
Acquired: Drafted in 8th round in 2015 out of Stetson University for 125k
Statistics: 62 G, 268 PA, 226 AB, 80 H, 27 2B, 5 HR, 24 BB, 26 K, .354/.451/.540
Profile: Drafted out of Jacob deGrom’s alma mater, catcher Patrick Mazeika knows how to get a bat on a ball. While he was old for the Appalachian league, Mazeika showed how well he hit by leading the league in doubles while being one point off the top in batting average. The player has a great left handed stroke that produces line drives to the gaps, and will not strike out. He also employs a patient approach that will walk and grind out at-bats. The main issue is that his frame is too big for catcher, and he doesn’t move very well behind there. His arm is strong enough to throw out quite a few, but he’s going to have to work hard to stay at catcher. If not, he’ll be a contact-first first baseman.
Level: Will definitely see a full season A-ball team, whether it’s Columbia or St. Lucie, we aren’t sure.
(IPL)
1. Ali Sanchez
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 175 Level: GCL B/T: R/R Age: 1/20/1997 (19) Age Dif: -1.5
Acquired: Signed out of Venezuela for 690K in 2o13
Statistics: 49 G, 188 PA, 173 AB, 47 H, 6 2B, 2 SB, 12 BB, 26 K .272/.330/.306
Profile: It’s not easy to see the top prospect being a 19 year old, but Ali Sanchez seems to have a lot of potential. A bonus baby out of Venezuela, Sanchez has excellent catching skills, moving well behind the plate, and being able to throw out a runner with ease, despite only having an average arm. His catching is ahead of his bat, but he hasn’t put up bad numbers while hitting for average, but right now he’s all contact, with the potential of later developing possible average power later.
Level: Brooklyn Catcher
Another catcher to keep an eye on is the 18-year old Juan Uriarte who was part of MMN’s 2015 All-Star team.
Click here to see Mets top Right-handed Pitching prospects
Click here to see Mets top Shortstop Prospects
Click here to see Mets top Outfield Prospects
Click here to see Mets top First Base Prospects
Ted’s Prospect Extras
Others in Ali Sanchez’s Signing Class
OF Ricardo Cespedes – $725,000
SS Yeffry De Aza – $475,000
SS Luis Carpio – $300,000
RHP Luis Silva – $275,000
SS Cecilio Aybar – $251,000
Luckily, we shouldn’t need a catcher for 4-5 years.
If the Mets were to send Plawecki to AAA after ST, how would that effect his service time and eventual free agency?
Doesn’t seem like a dearth considering how young all of them are and how young TdA and Platwecki are…I also like Xorge Carrillo as well, seems like a good AAAA player
You know I’ve thought that it may be a good idea to start KP in Vegas this year to alter his service time clock as well, think it’s a good idea
I think there is a chance both Brosher (most likely) and Mazeika eventually end up at 1B. Carrillo is a nice guy to have around as organizational depth. Doesn’t really have one standout tool though other than being a very hard worker.
I think part of that could depend on how he looks at 1B during spring where he could get a decent chunk of time.
I think its a good idea anyway. Plawecki struggled in AAA and was terrible in MLB last year. Maybe the vertigo/sinus stuff played a part but he could sure stand a few months of regular time in Vegas to rebuild his value and confidence. Im not sure sitting on the bench is all that great for his development at this time. Mets could sign a cheap veteran backup/Recker type and still have Plawecki a phone call away if needed.
I wouldn’t sign anyone, I’d use Monnel…and they signed some AAAA jabroni already to play AAA and they have Carrillo in AA
Ya they already have Ashley and Gomez, no need to sign someone else. Ashley is a good defender and did get some big league time with Brewers last year. I wouldn’t have any problem with Plawecki starting in Minors to get a month full of everyday at bats to start the season.