RADIO
The New York Mets surprised everyone when they not only knocked the Washington Nationals out of the NL East Division race, but when they went all the way to the World Series. Everyone knew that the Mets would at least be a threat in the National League with the strength of their rotation, but I don’t think anyone expected them to put everything together so quickly. With the resigning of Yoenis Cespedes, the bats look to be good enough to back up the arms again for a potential run at the division and possibly the World Series yet again.
The Mets have some depth in their farm system that should help them keep going for a while, but it is very top heavy. They have a few prospects at the top of their system with immense potential and who could real contributors in the future, but they do not have much beyond a few top prospects. There are a lot of arms destined for a future role in the bullpen and on the bench as backup utility infielders. But there is some value to be had on this list for dynasty owners looking to get an edge over other owners in their league.
If you are interested in more MLB prospects columns, head on over to our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. You can find the rest of my team prospect breakdowns, fantasy baseball prospect rankings, tiered positional rankings, keeper values articles, and more - all in one easy place.
New York Mets Top 10 Dynasty Prospects
These are the top ten prospects for the New York Mets in terms of fantasy production for fantasy owners in the next few seasons.
1. Steven Matz (SP, MLB)
Stats: 35.2 IP, 2.27 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 8.58 K/9, 2.52 BB/9, 1.01 HR/9
ETA: 2016
Though he may be pitching at the backend of a starting rotation, Steven Matz is far from a number four starter. In fact, if he were on any other team, he would probably be considered a number two starter. Matz has the complete repertoire that scouts look for in a front of the rotation starter with a sinking, mid-90s fastball, a lethal curveball, and a hard sinking changeup. Matz possesses well above-average command over his arsenal, making him even more of a threat to do damage in the majors. If Matz is not owned in your league, go out and add him as soon as possible. If he is owned in your league (which I assume he is in 99% of keeper leagues), try your hardest to acquire him because he could be primed for a big season.
2. Dominic Smith (1B, A+)
Stats: 497 PA, .305/.354/.417, 6 HR, 2 SB, 7.0% BB rate, 15.1% K rate
ETA: 2018
One of the best first base prospects in the minors, Dominic Smith has the potential to be a major impact bat in dynasty leagues. Scouts are confident that he will be able to hit over .300 when he reaches the majors, the only concern now with Smith is how much power he will develop. There is plenty of room for him to improve his home run power, but he will have to start making some progress with it. He should be owned in all dynasty leagues because there is no question that he will be a productive bat in the majors, even if he doesn’t develop that much more power.
3. Amed Rosario (SS, AA)
Stats: (from A+) 417 PA, .257/.307/.335, 0 HR, 12 SB, 5.5% BB rate, 17.5% K rate
ETA: 2018
The future answer to the seemingly never-ending question at shortstop since the departure of Jose Reyes, Amed Rosario made great strides last season in his development as he began his season at High-A and finished it in Double-A (albeit he played only two games at Double-A). Scouts praise his overall athleticism which many believe will help him steal 20+ bases per season and eventually add some room for home runs. He may be still a few years away and he is certainly no elite shortstop prospect, but Rosario is worth stashing in all keeper leagues.
4. Desmond Lindsay (OF, A-)
Stats: 53 PA, .200/.308/.267, 0 HR, 0 SB, 13.2% BB rate, 35.8% K rate
ETA: 2019
There are few players in the minors with the athleticism and raw tools that Desmond Lindsay and all he needs to do is tap into those tools to become a future star in the majors. Lindsay possesses everything that a scout would look for in a future centerfielder: blazing speed, patience at the plate, and some strength that could eventually translate to home run pop. Though his first taste of Low-A didn’t produce satisfying results, keep in mind that he made it to Low-A after only 21 games at Rookie League despite being drafted out of high school. Lindsay has a very high ceiling and should be owned in all dynasty leagues.
5. Brandon Nimmo (OF, AAA)
Stats: 112 PA, .264/.393/.418, 3 HR, 5 SB, 16.1% BB rate, 17.9% K rate
ETA: 2017
Brandon Nimmo has for years been considered to be the best hitting prospect in the Mets’ system. But years of underperforming and displaying an inability to tap into his raw power and turn it into home run pop has some questioning whether he was the elite prospect many considered he once was. Even without the home runs, there is still reason to consider owning Nimmo. He possesses excellent plate discipline and should be counted on to reach base at a particularly high rate. Though his ability to reach base is his only note-worthy fantasy asset, Nimmo should still be owned in all keeper leagues.
6. Wulimer Becerra (OF, A)
Stats: 487 PA, .290/.342/.423, 9 HR, 16 SB, 6.8% BB rate, 19.7% K rate
ETA: 2018
Many who saw RA Dickey read the names ‘Noah Syndergaard’ and ‘Travis d’Arnaud’ and got excited. They read ‘Wulimer Becerra’ and probably didn’t even know how to pronounce it let alone know what to expect from him. Though he will probably still end up as the third best player in the deal, he may just be one of the best toss-in pieces in a trade that any team could ever hope to acquire. Becerra just oozes potential with enough power to be able to knock 15+ home runs per season, enough speed to steal 10+ bases per season, and should be able to hit around .270 per year. Though he tends to get overly aggressive at the dish, Becerra still does not strike out nearly enough to really concern fantasy owners. Dynasty owners should consider adding Becerra on his upside alone and be ready to see him in right field in a few seasons.
7. Gavin Cecchini (2B/SS, AA)
Stats: 485 PA, .317/.377/.442, 7 HR, 3 SB, 8.7% BB rate, 11.3% K rate
ETA: 2017
The eventual double-play partner for Amed Rosario, Gavin Cecchini doesn’t quite have the offensive ceiling that Rosario has, but he could still be a solid contributor for dynasty owners willing to own him. He neither possesses blazing speed nor does he possess much of any power, but he should be able to get on base at a solid rate. Cecchini is not necessarily a ‘must own,’ but owners looking for middle infield depth could do worse than to add Cecchini to their team.
8. Marcos Molina (SP, A+)
Stats: 41.1 IP, 4.57 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 7.84 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, 0.22 HR/9
ETA: 2019
After finishing such a promising season at High-A, Marcos Molina underwent Tommy John surgery which set back any timetable for his promotion back a few years. Molina’s repertoire is that of a future middle of the rotation starter: mid-90s fastball, an above-average slider, and an average changeup. He seems likely to reach his potential because of his well advanced control that he has always shown. The Tommy John surgery is concerning and with limited upside, Molina could probably be ignored in dynasty leagues.
9. Robert Gsellman (SP, AA)
Stats: 92.1 IP, 3.51 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 4.78 K/9, 2.53 BB/9, 0.39 HR/9
ETA: 2016
Robert Gsellman could be a solid arm in the bullpen or maybe as a five starter in a rotation (if he reaches his potential), but for dynasty purposes he lacks the strikeout stuff to really be a major factor. Dynasty owners should look elsewhere for pitching depth.
10. Matt Reynolds (SS, AAA)
Stats: 490 PA, .267/.319/.402, 6 HR, 13 SB, 6.5% BB rate, 18.8% K rate
ETA: 2016
There is nothing much special about Matt Reynolds. He projects to be a future infield utility player who will never see regular playing time as he doesn’t really possess any standout skills. He can be ignored for dynasty purposes.
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