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Mets prospects primed to make an impact in 2021

By Adrian Cervantes

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets throws a warm-up pitch during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Mets 9-6. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets throws a warm-up pitch during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Mets 9-6. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: The New Era cap, Nike sunglasses and Wilson glove of Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Mets prospect Thomas Szapucki

Left-handed pitchers are always in demand at the big league level and that trend won’t change going into 2021. The Mets have a really good one in their system in Thomas Szapucki. The 24-year old southpaw was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason and has been a member of the Mets 60-man player pool in Brooklyn.

Some can say the Mets hit the lottery when drafting Szapucki in the 5th Round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Szapucki had a strong commitment to attend the University of Florida, which led him to be available much later in the draft than originally anticipated. With the Mets being able to get a deal done, the pick was considered a steal for the organization as his talent was never in question.

The Florida native spent last year in Double-A Binghamton after spending almost two years on the shelf due to Tommy John surgery and shoulder impingement. Szapucki is currently ranked ninth in the Mets system by MLB Pipeline and while it has been a struggle for the southpaw to stay healthy when Szapucki is on the mound nobody can downplay his dominance. In his Minor League career, hitters are only batting .199 against him with a great 1.10 WHIP to go along with it.

Due to Szapucki only having 145 career Minor League innings to his name, Szapucki should be expected to start the 2021 campaign at Triple-A. However, I do believe if a need arises in the bullpen or in the starting rotation, I firmly believe Szapucki will be one of the first players given a shot at the big league level next season.

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