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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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 26: A general view during the third inning of a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 26, 2020 in New York City. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 26: A general view during the third inning of a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 26, 2020 in New York City. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets have three prospects in the minors who have a chance to make contributions at the major league level in 2021.

The New York Mets have gotten solid contributions from a pair of top prospects during the 2020 season. Infielder Andres Gimenez and left-handed pitcher David Peterson have each come into their own this season and provided the Mets a boost in both the starting rotation and in the starting lineup much sooner than most of us anticipated.

Even right-handed pitcher Franklyn Kilome has gotten in some appearances this season and displayed the type of stuff that has many in the Mets organization excited about his prospects. The only question surrounding Kilome is whether his arsenal will be better suited for a starting rotation spot or a role in the Mets bullpen heading into next season.

More now than ever, prospects around the league are being recalled to the big leagues earlier than we have seen in year’s past, but many of these prospects are also providing production. This can be attributed to the impressive coaching in the Minor League ranks as well as many players coming out of college and being closer to major league ready than in year’s past.

Looking ahead to 2021 there are quite a few holes on the Major League roster that the Mets will be looking to fill this upcoming offseason. While many fans will be clamoring for some of the big names in free agency, I wanted to dive into some of the Mets’ top prospects down on the farm that may be ready to make an impact and contribute at the next level in 2021.

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)
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.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during Photo Day at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during Photo Day at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Mets prospect Kevin Smith

The same sentiment that rings true for Thomas Szapucki, rings true for 23-year old left-hander Kevin Smith, as left-handed pitching is always in demand at the Major League level. The southpaw from the University of Georgia has been sneaking up on many people’s radar over the past couple of seasons, since being taken by the Mets in the 7th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

In his debut season with short-season Brooklyn, Smith had posted a 0.76 ERA over 23 2/3 innings. The former Georgia Bulldog carried that success into 2019 at both High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. Last season, Smith had posted a 3.45 ERA over 23 starts and 117 innings combined between both levels with 130 strikeouts.

Smith is no longer taking many by surprise in the organization after receiving high praise from many in Spring Training. Currently, Smith is ranked as the twelfth ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline and is a member of the Mets 60-man player pool in Brooklyn.

The word that best describes Smith his versatile. In Smith’s junior season at the University of Georgia, he spent both the beginning and the end of the season in the Bulldogs rotation. During the middle of the season, he was used as the Bulldogs main weapon out of the bullpen which allows him plenty of versatility to find a role at the big league level.

With Smith’s trajectory continuing upward there may be a role available either in the starting rotation in case of an injury or in the bullpen due to his effectiveness against left-handed hitters. Last season left-handers only hit .207 against the southpaw, which could bode well for him if the Mets are looking for an in-house replacement for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson this offseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Ali Sanchez #70 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 16, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Ali Sanchez #70 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 16, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mets prospect Ali Sanchez

Heading into the offseason the Mets will have a glaring hole at the starting catching position. Wilson Ramos is currently scheduled to be a free agent and his performance this season has left a lot to be desired. The Mets also have 26-year old Tomas Nido on the roster who has had a bit of a breakout season and if his performance keeps up he will certainly be in the mix for the starting catching position next season.

The Mets also have a catcher whose fans are beginning to get familiar with in Ali Sanchez. The 23-year old catcher has had a brief cup of coffee at the big league level in 2020 but has spent most of his time at the Mets alternate training site in Brooklyn. He is currently ranked 28th by MLB Pipeline but that number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Sanchez is widely regarded as the Mets’ best defensive catcher currently in their system. His defense behind the plate is currently Major League ready as evidence by his ability to throw out 46% of base stealers in all of his six seasons in the minors.

But it’s the Venezuelan’s bat that many in the organization are waiting to catch up to his exceptional glove behind the plate. Sanchez is a career .259 hitter through six Minor League seasons and while he doesn’t strike out a ton his bat has left a lot to be desired.

Sanchez, however, did have his best offensive season at Double-A Binghamton last season hitting .278 and registering his highest career on-base-percentage since 2014 at .337. While this would’ve been Sanchez’s first full season at the Triple-A level, many hope the additional exposure at the Major League level, as well as the competition in Brooklyn, can continue his offensive development.

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Sanchez right now may not be the answer to replace Wilson Ramos, but he will certainly play a role in the Mets plans during the 2021 season at the catching position.

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