Six Mets on Keith Law’s Top 100 prospects list

There are six Mets who appear on Keith Law’s Top 100 prospects list for ESPN.

Those six Mets checked in as follows:

17 – RHP Noah Syndergaard
41 – OF Michael Conforto
45 – C Kevin Plawecki
65 – 1B Dominic Smith
69 – SS Amed Rosario
91 – OF Brandon Nimmo

On Law’s list (insider account needed and highly recommended), he had the following to say about the six Mets who made it:

Brandon Nimmo has an approach at the plate that’s “patient without being passive,” and he profiles as an everyday right fielder who will hit 15 to 18 home runs in the majors while posting an OBP between .380 and .400 and playing plus defense. Law also said he would like to see Nimmo to improve his production against left-handed pitchers.

Amed Rosario was a player Law gushed about, calling him “a toolshed, with athleticism, strength, plus raw power and a laser arm. He’s a true shortstop with very good actions at the position, including soft hands and excellent reads.” Law said Rosario’s approach is very mature for his age (he’s 18), and praised his ability to hit the other way – and do so for power.

Dominic Smith had a “very solid season” in 2014. Law said Smith was pushed quicker than draft picks like Brandon Nimmo and Gavin Cecchini, and said Smith worked on going the other way last season. Law said Smith has grade-70 raw power, a grade that seemed a bit high. On Smith’s overall potential, Law sees a player who will peak at 20-plus home runs in the bigs while hitting for average and getting on base at a clip above .350.

Kevin Plawecki‘s “ability to hit for average should separate him from other catchers.” Law says Plawecki should settle in as a player who hits a dozen home runs per year with lots of doubles. Defensively, Plawecki “has great hands” and “should be a strong framer pitchers want to throw to.”

Michael Conforto has improved his defense since being drafted and now profiles as someone who will be average or better in left field. Law views Conforto as “a fantastic two-hole hitter” who will hit for average, reach base at an above average clip, hit 20-plus home runs yearly, and add additional value with his defense and “smart baserunning.”

Noah Syndergaard is the “safest bet of any of the premium pitching prospects” on the list. Along with his tremendous velocity, Law says Syndergaard has a plus changeup and a curve that flashes above average due to his ability to locate it. Regarding his 2014 season, Law says Syndergaard was negatively impacted by pitching in Las Vegas and by some additional bad luck. Law sees Syndergaard’s floor as an “above-average starter who can carry 200-plus-inning workloads.”

Of the six Mets on Law’s list, two of them (Noah Syndergaard and Kevin Plawecki) will almost certainly make their major league debuts in 2015. Another (Brandon Nimmo) has a chance to be called up during the second half of the season.

A bit further away are Michael Conforto (who is slated to open with High-A St. Lucie but who should move quickly) and Dominic Smith, who will also likely open with High-A St. Lucie.

Amed Rosario is the furthest off of the bunch, as he’s not expected to make an impact in the majors until at least 2017, perhaps 2018. Rosario will likely spend the majority of the 2015 season with Low-A Savannah.

Thoughts:

Keith Law said on Wednesday that the Mets have the fourth-best farm system in baseball, which is backed up by the appearance of six Mets on his Top 1oo list.

However, conspicuous in their absence from the list are 2B Dilson Herrera and LHP Steven Matz, who are viewed by most as top-1oo talents.

While Herrera was left off by Law, he has spoken highly of him as of late. Herrera’s absence probably has more to do with him not playing a premium position than it does with his ability and potential.

As far as Matz being omitted, Law responded to a question on Twitter and said that he doesn’t like Matz’ delivery or command, and that his past injury problems are a huge concern.

I think Law is being a bit hard on Matz, especially regarding his concerns over health. Matz has been perfectly healthy for the last two seasons and his woes before then were all due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

It should be noted that until the middle of the 2014 season, Law viewed Matz as a reliever. Law has since changed his stance, now viewing Matz as a mid-rotation starter.