Photo by Roberto Carlo
As spring training nears, Baseball America on Wednesday released their 35th edition of their Top 100 MLB prospects. The New York Mets have three prospects currently in the top 100 heading into the start of the 2024 season: shortstop Jett Williams sits at No. 30; shortstop Ronny Mauricio is currently ranked at No. 87; and outfielder Drew Gilbert sits at No. 91.
The 20-year-old Williams, ranked at No. 30 on Baseball America’s Top 100 MLB prospects, had a breakout year in 2023, progressing from Low-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton over the course of the season. He batted .263/.425/.451, with a .876 OPS between the three levels. He accumulated 22 doubles, eight triples, and thirteen home runs, driving in 55 RBIs and 81 runs scored. Williams, who is known for his mature at-bats and swing decisions, was walked 104 times in 2023.
Williams is also known for his speed and ability to steal bases. In 2023, he stole 45 bases and was caught only seven times.
Mauricio, ranked at No. 87, spent the majority of the 2023 season with Triple-A Syracuse. The power-hitter batted .292/.346/.506, with a .852 OPS. He hit 30 doubles, three triples, and 23 home runs. He drove in 71 runs and scored 76 runs. He also had 24 stolen bases with Syracuse.
Mauricio also spent time at the major league level in 2023, appearing in 26 games for the big league club. He batted .248/.296/.347, with a .643 OPS. He had four doubles and two home runs, driving in nine RBIs and 11 runs scored across 26 games with the Mets.
Gilbert is the last-ranked player for the Mets in this edition of the rankings. Ranked at No. 91, Gilbert is known for his competitive makeup and average to above-average tools. Scouts like his maturity at the plate and his ability to get on-base. He is a player whom David Stearns has noted as a player who could work his way up quickly and potentially make a contribution to the big league club in the second half of 2024.
Gilbert, who the Mets acquired from the Astros as part of the trade for Justin Verlander, worked with way from High-A to Double-A over the course of the 2023 season. Accumulated between the three levels and two organizations, he batted .289/.381/.487, with a .868 OPS. He accumulated 26 doubles, three triples, and 18 home runs, driving in 59 RBIs and 79 runs scored. He was walked 58 times and stole 12 bases.
Gilbert was selected to the Futures Game in 2023 and named a Mets MilB.com organization All-Star. He will start the 2023 season in Triple-A Syracuse.
The Baseball America list looks much different than the Baseball Prospectus one that came out on Tuesday:
- No. 23 – Jett Williams
- No. 29 – Drew Gilbert
- No. 76 – Ryan Clifford
- No. 77 Luisangel Acuña
- No. 88 Christian Scott
Baseball America noted 15 prospects who came up just short of making the top 100. Luissngel Acuña and Ryan Clifford were among 15 players who just missed being ranked.
Luisangel, brother of Ronald Acuna Jr. was acquired from the Texas Rangers as part of the trade for Max Scherzer. He spent the 2023 season at Double-A for both organizations, batting .294/.359/.410, with a .769 OPS between Double-A Frisco and Double-A Binghamton. He accumulated 28 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs; he drove in 63 runs, walked 52 times, and scored 93 runs.
Clifford was also acquired in the trade for Justin Verlander. The 20-year-old outfielder started the 2023 season in Low-A and worked his way to high-A over the course of the season. Accumulated between the two levels, he batted .262/.374/.480, with a .854 OPS. He had 20 doubles and 24 home runs, drove in 81 RBIs, walked 64 times, and scored 70 runs.
Colin Houck, Christian Scott, and Blade Tidwell each received at least one vote for the top 100 as well.
