Seedlings to Stars Top 115

[Claymation]

#111 – Jeurys Familia, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 230

Born: October 10, 1989 (age 23)

2012 Stats (at Triple-A Buffalo): 9-9, 4.73 ERA, 28 GS, 137.0 IP, 73 BB (4.8 BB/9), 128 K (8.4 K/9), 1.591 WHIP

MLB Career: 0-0, 5.84 ERA, 8 G (1 GS), 12.1 IP, 9 BB (6.6 BB/9), 10 K (7.3 K/9), 1.541 WHIP
Familia briefly made his MLB Debut this past season, but it seems evident that the organization’s plans for him remain up in the air. Used primarily out of the bullpen in September, the team should be heading into Spring Training with Familia in the mix for the final spot in the starting rotation. Should be fail to win that battle he’ll likely head down to Triple-A, however his fate will become even more uncertain. Familia’s name has frequently come up in trade discussions (or at least in speculation) and he is one of those rare prospects that appears more likely to be dealt than shown patience.

Bold Prediction: Wins the team’s last spot in the rotation out of Spring Training but is still traded by July.

#103 – Gavin Cecchini, shortstop, New York Mets

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 180

Born: December 22, 1993 (age 19)

2012 Stats (combined between Rookie League Kingsport and Low-A Brooklyn): .240/.307/.321, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 5 SB, 18 BB, 44 SO, 58 G (218 PA)

The first 2012 Draft pick to adorn the list (but certainly not the last), Cecchini is already near the top of the team’s rankings according to BA (coming in as their #2 prospect). At just 19 he’s a long ways away from the Major Leagues and still has a fair amount of development to go through. He reached the pitcher-friendly NY/Penn League this past season and appears likely to at least start there once again in 2013. New York will take their time moving Cecchini through their system, but if he can remain at shortstop he could prove to be a valuable piece of the organization’s future.

Bold Prediction: Defensively sound, Cecchini’s offensive production catches up and he justifies BA’s #2 ranking over the course of the coming season.

#97 – Wilmer Flores, third baseman, New York Mets

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 190

Born: August 6, 1991 (age 21)

2012 Stats (combined between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton): .300/.349/.479, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 3 SB, 38 BB, 60 SO, 130 G (547 PA)

Where Flores ends up playing may ultimately be a significant factor in what kind of value he brings to the table long term for the Mets. There’s been speculation that he could be moved to the outfield, though there are concerns about his ability to handle such a big amount of space. The team will head into the season using him at both third and second base, since David Wright isn’t going anywhere in the near future the team needs to explore alternatives to third base, but as Rising Apple Senior Editor Matt Musico reminded us earlier this month, there are strong opinions stemming from the fan base with regards to what Flores’ fate will ultimately hold.

Bold Prediction: He sticks at second base, looking strong defensively at Double-A but at the expense of some regression at the plate.

#38 – Noah Syndergaard, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 200

Born: August 29, 1992 (age 20)

2012 Stats (with Class-A Lansing): 8-5, 2.60 ERA, 27 G (19 GS), 103.2 IP, 31 BB (2.7 BB/9), 122 K (10.6 K/9), 1.080 WHIP

Despite falling in the top half of our prospect rankings, Syndergaard won’t be the best piece that the Mets received in this winter’s trade sending R.A. Dickey to Toronto. Eventually adding him to a mix including Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler will make a pretty formidable rotation in New York, however.

Bold Prediction: Syndergaard will have a strong year at Double-A, but won’t see New York for another year.

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http://seedlingstostars.com/2013/01/...ospects-31-40/

[Claymation]

http://seedlingstostars.com/2013/01/...ospects-11-20/

#15 – Travis d’Arnaud, catcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 195
Born: February 10, 1989 (age 23)
2012 Stats (with Triple-A Las Vegas): .333/.380/.595, 16 HR, 52 RBI, 1 SB, 19 BB, 59 SO, 67 G (303 PA)
Zunino makes most other catchers in the minor leagues look like amateurs at the plate. d’Arnaud might be even better. His 2012 was cut short due to injury and he’s since been traded to the Mets, but d’Arnaud could possibly be the best catching prospect to arrive in the Majors since Matt Wieters.
Bold Prediction: He’s in New York by mid-June and contends for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

#5 – Zack Wheeler, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 185
Born: May 30, 1990 (age 22)
2012 Stats (combined Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo): 12-8, 3.26 ERA, 25 GS, 149.0 IP, 59 BB (3.6 BB/9), 148 K (8.9 K/9), 1.168 WHIP
There is still surprise in some circles that the San Francisco Giants were willing to give up Wheeler in order to acquire Carlos Beltran for half a season in 2011. Wheeler was viewed at the time as one of the game’s Top 50 prospects and he’s done little since to change that thinking. A solid argument could be made that Wheeler is ready for New York coming out of Spring Training, but conventional wisdom suggests that he’ll spend at least the first month or two down in the minor leagues. It’s why the Mets added some rotation depth this winter.
Bold Prediction: Wheeler will make his first start at Citi Field before July, but may not assume a spot in the rotation until early August.

[YoungStuna]

Unless Syndergaard dominates St. Lucie, I don't see him in AA. We'll see.

[Sick Of It All]

Scout.com top 100

8. Travis d'Arnaud
17. Zack Wheeler
46. Noah Syndergaard

[Sick Of It All]

TopProspectAlert.com top 150


http://topprospectalert.com/2013/01/...pect-rankings/

#114 Brandon Nimmo – OF – New York Mets (99)
Born 3/27/1993
Highest Level Reached Short-A Brooklyn Cyclones
2012 Combined Stats
MILB: .248, 20(2B), 2(3B), 6HR, 40RBI

#92 Gavin Cecchini – SS – New York Mets (NR)
Born 12/22/1993
Highest Level Reached Short-A Brooklyn Cyclones
2012 Combined Stats
MILB: .240, 9(2B), 2(3B), 1HR, 22RBI

#44 Noah Syndergaard – RHP – New York Mets (107)
Born 8/29/1992
Highest Level Reached Low-A Lansing Lugnuts
2012 Combined Stats
MILB: 8-5, 2.60ERA, 103.2IP, 31BB, 122K, .212BAA

#25 Travis d’Arnaud – C – New York Mets (21)
Born 2/10/1989
Highest Level Reached Triple-A Las Vegas 51′s
2012 Combined Stats
MILB: .333, 21(2B), 2(3B), 16HR, 52RBI

#10 Zack Wheeler – RHP – New York Mets (47)
Born 5/30/1990
Highest Level Reached Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
2012 Combined Stats
MILB: 12-8, 3.26ERA, 149IP, 59BB, 148K, .221BAA

[Claymation]

14. Zack Wheeler (SP, NYM) – Mets fans are hoping that prospectors were right. Maybe Wheeler is better than Harvey. Because Harvey was disgustingly good in his MLB debut, and Wheeler is still in AAA. He’ll be up in June, and projects as a TOR arm. He looks to me like a #2 pitcher, and a good one. Some even think he could become a top 12 pitcher in the league.

16. Travis d’Arnaud (C, NYM) – He’s the main competitor among catchers for Zunino. Most will have him above, but he too comes with risk. I think he could end up hitting .300 with 15 home runs. But I’m less certain seeing that he’s been injured, and is returning. He might open up on the NYM opening day roster if he’s healthy.

27. Noah Syndergaard (SP, NYM) – He was a key piece in the deal to get Dickey. It was amusing to watch Toronto fans go from “we wouldn’t give up d’Arnaud for Dickey” to “I’d love to just give up d’Arnaud, just don’t take Syndergaard too!” to “Well, World Series Locked Down”. I think Noah is going to be a starter with a great fastball, but if all falters he’ll find himself somewhere in the 8th and 9th innings. He could be dominant at that too.

73. Wilmer Flores (3B, NYM) – Where does he play? That’s the question everyone is asking. He’s got the bat for his position at 3B, but that’s clogged. Nobody thinks that he’s agile enough to hold down a corner outfield spot or 2B, at least not anywhere near average. If he’s relegated to 1B, that’ll be a big hit on his bat.

77. Michael Fulmer (SP, NYM) – I think I mentioned how much I loved the 2011 Okla Prep class with Blackburn, but it bears repeating. Fulmer could be a top 50 prospect by my 2014 list. He’s part of the Mets’ deep stockpile of young starters, and I think he will shine through. I have him here because I firmly believe in him.

http://www.deepleagues.com/2013/01/0...prospect-list/

[Claymation]

Non-Top 100 Sleepers: Part Three

Rafael Montero (RHP, NYM, A+) - Montero stepped up to the challenges of Low and High-A in 2012 and conquered both. Registering a FIP of 2.58, and an ERA of 2.36, Montero exceeded all expectations. Montero struck out 8.1 batters per nine and walked 1.4. Yes, actually one point four. He’s got good stuff, and likely a #3 upside, as with most guys in the low minors. I don’t think he’ll be as effective against top tier talent (AAA and MLB) but I don’t see any reason that he can’t turn into a reliable fantasy starter. Low walks, decent strikeout totals, and a decent ERA. He’ll never front your rotation, but he could end up a valuable piece in the future.

http://www.deepleagues.com/2013/01/3...rs-part-three/

[YoungStuna]

Sweet.

[Claymation]

AdamRubinESPN ESPN's Keith Law ranks the Mets' farm system 14th in MLB. #mets

[Claymation]

The R.A. Dickey trade really boosted their system, and several Latin American arms had strong years in 2012 to bolster the system's total value. First-rounder Gavin Cecchini could move quickly for a prep kid, as he's pretty advanced for a teenager and doesn't have much blocking him at shortstop.

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[YoungStuna]

Didn't know we had Garin Cecchini in our system.

[Claymation]

I read that as Gavin

[YoungStuna]

I read that as Gavin

Me too at first, but then I looked at it again. Mr. Law with an error there.

[NYCkid12]

it's been a long time since we've seen so many top prospects in the mets organization...I'm excited to see what they become....I'm managing expectations b/c of all I've seen already from generation-K, to lastings millege, to F-Mart

[Sick Of It All]

I do not get how he has the Yanks ahead of the Mets, though I have no problem where the Mets are.

Yanks have better hitting prospects, but their pitching depth is as bad as the Mets hitting depth maybe worst.

I guess he feels that their quartet of hitters are better than the pitching depth the Mets have.