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

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.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

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