TOP PROSPECTS FROM DEEP DOWN UNDER – THIRD IN A 4 PART SERIES

Greetings and salutations, fellow Met lovers.

On Sunday and Monday, I posted the first 2 parts of a 4 part series on which of our young rookie prospects in the Mets’ short season (mid-June thru early September) leagues - Brooklyn, Kingsport, and the St Lucie-based Gulf Coast Mets are the crème de la crème of that lower end of our system.  (I explained Sunday why I am not looping in the two developmental league teams – take a look at Sunday’s article to see why, if you missed it).

I am identifying 20 top “guppy” dudes (5 Sunday and Monday, 5 today, and 5 more tomorrow) as the current ones that as of my take today are most likely to become major leaguers.  Guppies who we all hope will grow into piranhas this year and ferocious sharks some day, tearing opponents limb from limb on the battlefield between the white lines.

As noted  the last 2 days, ratings are pegged partly on draft level (with age factored in) and on international signing status, but also on performance – if you were a 2^nd rounder and floundering, you’re not on the list.  Good performance for a high draftee will, however, quickly get you there.

Sunday, I presented for your reading pleasure my “A” group, guys who due to both pedigree and recent performance make me think that they have great major league prospects.  Monday, My “B Boys”.  

My A’s Fab Five are Marcos Molina, Blake Taylor, Amed Rosario, Jhoan Urena, and Corey Oswalt. Corey struggled over the weekend and his holding on an A rating is tenuous.

My B Boys are Michael Conforto, Eudor Garcia, Michael Katz, Luis Guillorme, and John Mora. Like Avis they are # 2 and trying harder.

Today, the first 5 of my ten “C” rated guys, to me seem more of a long shot but definitely worth watching.  In no particular order, just 5 today and 5 tomorrow.  I’ll let them duke it out in the fishtank on their way to becoming B’s and A’s.  Last 5 on Wednesday, so please stay tuned.

To reiterate, I weight a lot on performance, and there has been little of it so far this year, since they all started this season less than a month ago, so future rankings may shift quite a bit based on what the guys on those teams all do over the weeks ahead.

Here are my “C” Laddies (in no particular order):

Brad Wieck, Brooklyn LHP - relief - Grade C   Short relief is not an apt description for the 6'9", 255 lefty 7th round pick.  The 22 year old has K'd 9 of his 17 outs so far...gotta like it.  Good mechanics, I hear, with a good breaking ball, lots of K’s in college, and can get the gun up to 94.  A few more digits perhaps as a pro with further refinement and we’re talking intimidating.  And if Collins is still managing when he makes the bigs, he’ll use Brad Eight Days a Wieck, I’m sure, right Reese?  Carmelo Anthony wanted him to join him and play power forward, but Brad is sticking with the Metsies.  Good choice.

Kelly Seacrest, Brooklyn LHP - relief - Grade C   This 6'0", 225 dude may not win American Idol, Ryan, but striking out 12 of his 22 outs is the stuff that makes fans sing.  Our 22 year old 10^th round draftee this year gets his heater up to 94 MPH.  Global warming may ensue, and the seas may crest, but he won’t back down.  Packin’ the heat.  Always great to add a hard-throwing lefty into the mix.  Takes one to know one.

Brandon Brosher, Kingsport catcher - Grade C  Anyone who homers in each of the first 4 games of the season makes the list. An 18 year old 36th rounder last year, the now 19 year old 6'3" 225 bopper has been in just 7 games so far, thru June 26, so any chance for a higher grade is delayed.  Sorry, BB.

Adrian Almeida, GCL P- Grade C   Fifteen innings of 2 run ball, 8 hits, 19 Ks.  Wow. 12 walks.  Whoa.  This fine fella signed for a $170,000 international bonus last year.  He’s earning his keep, it appears.  A 6’0” 150 lb lefty who is just 19 and likely will fill out and hone in, so he is a real interesting guy to watch.  Makes me think of a guy like Greg Ynoa and how he has upped his velocity over the last few years.  Think we’ll see some real upside growth from Adrian, right, Rockie? “I dunno, yo Mick, whaddya think?”

Luis Ortega, Kingsport Catcher and 1B, Grade C    Only 11 games but a .472/.500/.667 line, with only a K every 18 at bats, puts the 21 year old 5’10”, 190 lb Luis immediately on the radar screen.  Since hitting the DSL in 2011, he has caught, and also played 1B, 3B, OF, and 2B, and even had a game at SS.  Either they think he’s versatile, or he just can’t make up his mind where the heck he wants to play.  Odd, he has been in the DSL previously without setting the world on fire, so 2014’s blazing start is noteworthy.  Let’s see what the 5’10”, 190 righty hitter can do for an encore.  So far, he is the King of Kingsport.

Who cares what Stallone thinks! What do you think?  Inquiring minds wanna know.

Last part of the series tomorrow.

Have a great day.