With the exception of Amed Rosario and as noted here last week, there are minimal game changers in the New York Mets minor league system that offer immediate help or as something to give as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches. And more likely the Mets will become sellers by July 31st that makes the task more difficult for GM Sandy Alderson.
Again, this is not about Rosario or Dominic Smith. Reach down and that longtime and reputed scout does not provide a great outlook as to what is developing with the Mets St. Lucie A- affiliate of the Florida State League and this does not include Tim Tebow in the equation.
This will be a rebuilding process for the Mets with a few interesting players. And unless Alderson and the Mets hierarchy want to part ways with Rosario, which will not happen, there is a lot of work to be done and who knows if any potential free agents on the market this offseason are in the plan.
St. Lucie, as with Binghampton and Las Vegas, is in a struggle with the worst second half record in the FSL, 10th in the 12-team league. They finished fifth in the South division in the first half, are fifth in pitching and sixth in hitting and the interest continues to be “Tebow-Mania.”
But the Mets can’t count on Tebow to be their future as he has become more of a ticket seller and brings in revenue with a jersey in demand.
And interesting that this latest report about the Mets system points out that Michael Conforto, T.J. Rivera, Brandon Nimmo, Jacob deGrom, Robert Gsellman, and Steven Matz are considered the true “homegrown products” on the big club that the Mets can build on.
The 18-year old shortstop, Andres Gimenez with Columbia of the South Atlantic League, could be waiting longer to move on up, attribute that to Rosario, unless the Mets decide to move the youngster to second base.
Here is a brief analysis of prospects and their progress down in Port. St. Lucie:
Merandy Gonzalez: 21-year old righthander. Strong starter who has command. Good breaking ball with a fastball and special out pitch. The changeup is a work in progress, a short armer with that deceptive delivery and could be a potential top of the rotation pitcher with a fastball that moves at 91-95, 93, 94-95 and reliable with the accuracy.
Justin Dunn: 21-year old right hand starter and with a loose and quick arm with power. The command on his fastball needs work and he goes with a changeup. Report is Dunn needs a lot of work and right now is considered a backend pitcher with quality. A fastball that averages 92, 95-93.
Jordan Humphreys: 21 year old righthander with arm strength and a fastball that is consistent at 90-95 and 93 though velocity is up and location of fastball does need work. The report on his fastball is it gets centered often and he throws strikes and with a mix, the secondary pitches need work and there is a lack of an out pitch.
Patrick Mazeika: 23-year old catcher. Strong and with offensive ability with more progress to be made with defense and lack of arm strength. Back up catcher status as of now and there is more potential to move him to first base.
Jhoan Urena: 22-year old third baseman who can hit for power and is athletic. Described as best hitter on the team and his bat will get him to the big league level but needs to upgrade the overall game to be an everyday player and very reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval.
Peter Alonzo: 22-year old first baseman with home run power and hitter described as more dangerous than good. But the hitch is Alonzo is adequate with defense and right now more suited as a utility player with a right hand bat off the bench. Strikes out too much and there is confidence that he will come along and hit more.
Wuilmer Becerra: 22-year old that has been highly touted by the Mets and got a good look this spring. But the right fielder has regressed because of recurring injuries with a shoulder. If healthy, Becerra, acquired from Toronto that brought Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud, needs to make sure the right shoulder is healthy after undergoing successful capsule repair last July.
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