Teens Mauricio (Kingsport 2018), Vientos (Kingsport 2017, 18) apple of Mets' eye
The differences between the Mets at this point last year and now go far deeper than an overhaul in front office personnel. Agent-turned-general manager Brodie Van Wagenen wanted to make an early splash on last year's Hot Stove and he did just that. Van Wagenen engineered a deal that sent
The differences between the Mets at this point last year and now go far deeper than an overhaul in front office personnel. Agent-turned-general manager Brodie Van Wagenen wanted to make an early splash on last year's Hot Stove and he did just that. Van Wagenen engineered a deal that sent 2018 first-round Draft pick
Van Wagenen then orchestrated a midseason trade that sent top pitching prospect
What the organization currently lacks in upper-level talent, it makes up for in projectable star power. No. 2 Mets prospect Baty joins top-ranked
Mets Organization All-Stars
Second baseman --
"Luis did a really nice job down in the Florida State League and was rewarded for his good start," said Mets executive director of player development Jared Banner. "He's got tremendous positional versatility, he's coachable and it was nice to see him have the year he did. The ability to play around the infield is part of what makes him a special player for us and it's one of the things we look for in our prospects."
Third baseman -- Mark Vientos, Columbia (111 games): Vientos played the entire year in the Class A South Atlantic League as a 19-year-old and showed the promise and growth the Mets expected of him. Possessing tremendous bat speed and strength within his 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame, Vientos reached double digits in homers (12) for the second straight year and compiled 40 extra-base hits and 62 RBIs despite a poor first half. The Mets were conservative with Vientos in his first full season, giving him regularly scheduled days off early in the year to keep him fresh. The strategy paid off. The 2017 second-rounder hit .271/.315/.462 while increasing his OPS 127 points to .777 in the second half.
"Mark has a unique ability to impact the game in all phases," Banner said. "He keeps himself in great physical shape, and I think that served him well in his first full season. The most important thing from our vantage point was seeing the improvements he made as the year went on. He got off to a slow start but made the adjustments, battled through it and came out of it a better player. That goes for his offense and defense, which made major strides."
Shortstop -- Ronny Mauricio, Columbia (116 games): Mauricio broke into the Top-100 prospects for the first time this year, and with good reason. Joining fellow teenager Vientos on the left side of the Fireflies infield, the native of the Dominican Republic celebrated his 18th birthday days before the 2019 season began. Mauricio surpassed expectations and was recognized with an Sally League All-Star Game selection.
Unlike Vientos, who excelled late in the year, Mauricio slumped in the second half. But the Mets were still thrilled with his overall production. He batted .268/.307/.357 with 29 extra-base hits while competing in a league in which the average age of players was nearly 22. As young as he is, the 6-foot-3, 166-pounder's raw power is beginning to emerge, and he combines soft hands and a strong arm on defense to project as a complete player.
"We're very excited about Ronny. To be his age and go to a full-season affiliate and play like that was truly impressive," Banner said. "In addition to the tools he has, he showed great strides and a maturity that exceeds his years. He showed up with great professionalism every day, even when the length of the season began to wear him down later in the year. ... But to say we were thrilled with what he did would be an understatement. ... He's an electric player."
Right-handed starter --
"Harol had a terrific season," Banner said. "He keeps his team in games and really knows how to pitch to whatever situation he's in. He's not going to overpower anyone, but his ability to locate and change speeds has been key to his success. To see him rebound [from a 1-16 season in 2018] was impressive and shows he's got plenty of moxie."
Relief pitcher --
"Blake always had the power lefty arm, but the move to the bullpen really allowed him to take off," Banner said. "His stuff improved markedly, he threw strikes and got so many key outs for us. It's a credit to the work he put in and being added to the 40-man roster was a well-deserved reward for that success."
Full Story