Syndergaard, Montero Make Baseball America’s Eastern League Top 20

In a list that was released this morning, both Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero cracked Baseball America’s Eastern League top 20.  Syndergaard checked in at #3, and Montero was ranked 13th.

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; New York Mets prospects

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before the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Syndergaard, 21, was the highest ranked pitcher on the list.  The only players ahead of him were Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox, and Miguel Sano of the Twins.

After being promoted to Double-A Binghamton of the Eastern League for the second half of the season, Syndergaard was dominant.  In 54 innings pitched over 11 starts, Syndergaard had an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.07.  It also needs to be noted that Syndergaard’s ERA was under 2.00 until a poor start late in the season inflated it.

Using a blazing fastball and hammer curve, Syndergaard struck out 11.5 batters per 9 while at Double-A, an even better rate than the one he put up with Single-A St. Lucie (9.05 per 9).

Montero, who will turn 23 on Thursday, spent the first part of his season with Double-A Binghamton before being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

In 66.2 innings pitched over 11 starts for Binghamton, Montero, who features pinpoint control and a fastball that sits in the low to mid 90’s, had a 2.43 ERA and miniscule 0.92 WHIP.  He struck out 72 (9.7 per 9) and walked just 10.

Thoughts:

Both Montero and Syndergaard are expected to compete for a spot in the Mets’ opening day rotation in 2014.

It would be a bit of a shock if Syndergaard made it – he hasn’t pitched above Double-A, and by keeping in in Triple-A until the middle of June, the Mets can guarantee another year of team control.

Montero, though, may have a chance.  After being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas and going through an adjustment period, Montero started to again resemble the pitcher who dominated Eastern League hitters earlier in the season.

If neither Syndergaard or Montero makes the club of out spring training, they’ll both open the year with Triple-A Las Vegas.

One notable omission from the list was outfielder Cesar Puello.  The 22 year old Puello was having a tremendous season before his link to the Biogenesis scandal and PED’s led to a 50 game suspension (Puello’s involvement and coming suspension were both known facts before the season began).

In 377 plate appearances over 91 games for Binghamton, Puello had a triple slash of .326/.403/.547.  He hit 16 home runs, 21 doubles, drove in 73, and scored 63.  He also swiped 24 bases.

If not for his suspension, Puello would’ve almost certainly been on the list.

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