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

By Tim Boyle |
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Andres Gimenez #60 of the New York Mets in action during the team workout at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Andres Gimenez #60 of the New York Mets in action during the team workout at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Andres Gimenez #60 of the New York Mets looks on during the team workouts at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Andres Gimenez #60 of the New York Mets looks on during the team workouts at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

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.

PORTLAND, ME – MAY 04: David Peterson #27 of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies delivers in the second inning of the game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field on May 4, 2019 in Portland, Maine. (Photo by Zachary Roy/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, ME – MAY 04: David Peterson #27 of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies delivers in the second inning of the game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field on May 4, 2019 in Portland, Maine. (Photo by Zachary Roy/Getty Images) /

David Peterson

It feels like David Peterson is the last pitching prospect left over from the pre-Brodie Van Wagenen days. Many have been traded away while the big lefty has continued to climb up the minor league system.

This year, we should expect to see Peterson open up in Syracuse. He got a full season in Double-A last year and there’s little reason to hold him back.

Peterson didn’t have a fantastic 2019 season, finishing the year at 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts. Something he did do well, however, was strike batters out and keep walks down. His 9.5 strikeouts per nine and 2.9 walks per nine pair together well.

The Mets have a few options for the rotation who should get a start before Peterson does. Aside from a few choices on the big league roster who will primarily line up as bullpen arms to start 2020, there’s also Walker Lockett and Stephen Gonsalves in the minors.

Peterson’s time for big league action will come. This year, if he does make that leap to the show, it may be as a reliever.

This could change if Peterson is hot and dominating down in Triple-A. We haven’t seen the Mets promote a stud pitching prospect in what feels like half a decade. If anyone beats the streak, it’s Peterson.

Eventually, Peterson should find himself fighting for a rotation spot in the big leagues. Next year looks like the most opportune time to do so with several current starters in their last season before free agency.

Because the Mets may have big plans for Peterson, this season may give them the chance to let him work out some rookie jitters.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 27: The Wilson baseball glove of Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets sits on the field during batting practice before a game against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on August 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 27: The Wilson baseball glove of Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets sits on the field during batting practice before a game against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on August 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Kevin Smith

Another southpaw in the Mets system who could find himself on the mound at Citi Field this year is Kevin Smith. Not to be confused with the director of the same name, Smith is a rising prospect in the Mets system we have to start paying attention to.

Drafted in the 7th round back in 2018, he has already reached the Double-A level. So far, wherever he has landed, the 22-year-old southpaw has found a way to keep runs down and pile up strikeouts.

With only six starts under his belt in Double-A, it’s safe to assume he returns to Binghamton to start the 2020 season. This will give him some time to prove he’s ready to graduate to the next level—which I suspect he will make quite clear within the first two months or so.

Smith doesn’t have the same name recognition as other pitching prospects like Peterson or last year’s selections, Matthew Allan and Josh Wolfe. Because he was a later round pick, he got lost in the shuffle of many top prospect lists.

However, the numbers are beginning to speak louder than his spot in the draft.

In 23 starts in High-A and Double-A combined last year, Smith was 8-7 with a 3.15 ERA. It was a fine follow-up to a strong debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2018 where he posted a 0.76 ERA in his first 23.2 innings as a professional ballplayer.

Smith’s eventual role with the Mets may not put him in the rotation—something that actually may help him get to the big leagues quicker. The Mets are more likely to need him for bullpen help this year, making him one of my choices as a prospect ready to make the leap in 2020.

Next. Three Rick Porcello predictions for 2020

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Which other Mets prospects do you think have a chance to climb up to the big leagues and have an impact in 2020?

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