A Minor Review of 2017: New York Mets

Mother Hubbard’s cupboard is a little bare in the Mets system. There aren’t a lot of surefire studs on the way but there is an interesting collection of toolsy players with potential.

The Graduate: Brandon Nimmo, OF: The Mets didn’t receive much offensive value from their rookies in 2017 but Nimmo was the outlier. Despite a lot of swing-and-miss to his game (28% K rate), he has a lot of patience as witnessed by his 15% walk rate. He doesn’t have the foot speed to take full advantage of his hefty .379 on-base percentage but he still might score a lot of runs if moved to the No. 2 hole in the lineup. He currently possesses more gap pop than over-the-fence power but that could change down the line. Nimmo, 24, has a good shot at a starting gig in 2018.

The Stud: David Peterson, LHP: The Mets’ first round pick from 2017, Peterson has a chance to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter. He has a huge, strong frame which should allow him to shoulder 200+ innings down the line and the potential for three above-average offerings — if everything develops as hoped. A top college performer, Peterson should be capable of opening 2018 in high-A ball, if not double-A.

The Draft Pick: Mark Vientos, SS/3B: One of the youngest hitters in the 2017 draft, Vientos doesn’t turn 18 until next week. Despite that, he already has 50 games of professional baseball experience under his belt — and he held his own in Rookie Ball. The infielder is already 6-4 and projects to add more strength to his frame, which would eventually help him hit 20+ homers. He’s still raw at the plate with an inconsistent swing but he has the potential to be an average-or-better hitter. A shortstop, he’s expected to eventually move over to third base as he fills out and slows down a bit.

The Riser: Andres Gimenez, SS: Just 19, Gimenez should open 2018 in high-A ball. He has the potential to be an above-average shortstop with a strong arm and he can really run too — although he’s still learning the nuances of base running. He doesn’t have much power but he could still fill out more and eventually develop solid gap pop. He doesn’t strike out a ton but he’s also very impatient at the plate and would be well served by taking some more pitches. Gimenez has a long way to go still but the tools are intriguing.

The Sleeper: Marcos Molina, RHP: Molina began his pro career with a bang but elbow surgery derailed him from his original path and cost him valuable development time in 2016. He returned part way through ’17, though, and showed flashes of his old self. He has the frame to be an innings-eater if his elbow holds up and the potential for three average-or-better offerings. Molina’s command and control should both be improved in 2018 as he distances himself from the surgery and gets more experience. He could be in New York late in 2018 or early 2019 and possesses the ceiling of a No. 3 pitcher.