Three Mets prospects who could make the leap to MLB this year

Which New York Mets prospects who have yet to see any Triple-A action in their careers could take the leap to MLB this year?

It’s one small step for man and one giant leap for a baseball prospect to go from a minor leaguer to the big leagues. While the New York Mets don’t appear to have any serious contenders for a Rookie of the Year nomination this year, there are a few farmhands who could take advantage of this leap year and make the jump to the show in 2020.

Last year, we saw Pete Alonso open the season with the Mets after a quick climb from Double-A up to Triple-A one season earlier. One season prior, Jeff McNeil graduated from Double-A and Triple-A. Before August arrived, he was a major leaguer.

The Mets intend to contend this year and will likely only have room for any of these men if there’s a major injury. Even if there is no serious ailment that strikes down one of the regulars, any of these three Mets prospects looks like a candidate to get some playing time with the major league squad over the next few months.

For the sake of limiting the pool, I’m only including guys who have yet to see any action above Double-A.

Andres Gimenez

One of the most notable position players the Mets have in the minor leagues is shortstop Andres Gimenez. Although he has dropped in their farm system and on many rankings, he’s still a young player with upside.

At only 21-years-old with his next birthday in September, there is no urgency to rush Gimenez. He should start the year with the Syracuse Mets down in Triple-A as he prepares to make his leap to Flushing.

Last year, Gimenez hit just .250/.309/.387 with 9 home runs in Double-A. He did still 28 bags for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, putting one of his best assets on full-display: speed.

Plenty of teams will take advantage of the roster expansion late in the year and promote players with one specific talent. This year, MLB roster expansion will be limited to only a 28-man roster. This may not stop the Mets from giving Gimenez a taste of big league action if they feel he’s ready.

Gimenez’s future with the Mets remains somewhat questionable. Exactly where will he play?

As a shortstop, there’s an obvious roadblock with Amed Rosario in front of him. I think there’s a good chance we see Gimenez traded at some point either this year or next, but first, he may make his Mets debut sometime later this season.