Mets Rookies: Where they rank among the National League’s best

Where did New York Mets rookies Andres Gimenez and David Peterson finish in the 2020 power ranking among MLB newcomers?

The New York Mets finished an unprecedented 2020 season in disappointing fashion. Despite having one of the more talented rosters in MLB, the Mets ended the year tied for last place in the NL East with a 26-34 record. Even in an expended postseason, the team remains on the outside looking in.

While the impending ownership transition to billionaire Steven Cohen gives the franchise a legitimate reason to be optimistic about the future, there is another reason for fans to hold their heads high.

One season after the Mets saw breakout star Pete Alonso capture the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year trophy, standout performances by 2020 rookies Andres Gimenez and David Peterson gave the team another look into a potentially bright future.

Where do these two players rank in the 2020 Rookie of the Year field? Let’s take a look at the top 10 options:

#10 Mauricio Dubón, UTIL, San Francisco Giants

An underrated talent in the Bay area, Mauricio Dubon has established himself as a legitimate major leaguer. He infielder recorded a solid .274 average, 19 RBI, four homers, and 43 hits over 157 at-bats in 2020. Barring a major setback, he should be a part of a rebuilding Giants team for years to come.

#9 David Peterson, SP, New York Mets

Our first member of the New York Mets checks in at #9 on our NL Rookie of the Year power rankings. At the beginning of the season, the Mets looked prime to boast a great starting rotation. In reality, every player outside the great Jacob deGrom has been a mess.

Noah Syndergaard required season-ending surgery before he threw his first pitch. Marcus Stroman opted out before making his season debut. Veterans Steven Matz, Rick Porcello, and Michael Wacha have struggled with injures and poor play.

A once-promising rotation was left in desperate need of help. And David Peterson served as the cavalry in the midst of chaos. Despite struggles with inconsistent play and an odd bullpen experiment, the young lefty finished the year on his highest note. He posted a solid 3.44 ERA and 40 Ks over 49.2 innings. Most importantly, he helped stop the bleeding to the tune of a 6-2 overall record.

deGrom and Syndergaard should be linchpins again in 2021. While the rest of the rotation is in need of help, Peterson’s presence on the roster will be most welcome. In a league where the Mets cannot afford to send out a pitcher with subpar skills, Peterson will give the franchise a legitimate chance to win every start.

#8 Tony Gonsolin, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Gonsolin was un unexpected breakout star in 2020. Despite being undrafted in 2012 and subsequently bouncing around other professional baseball leagues at the beginning of his career, the young Dodger proved he belonged in MLB. Gonsolin’s 2.31 ERA and 46 Ks over 46.2 innings pitched make him an intriguing option moving forward. If this season has been any indication, Gonsolin should have a place in the latter half of LA’s rotation as early as next season.

#7 Dustin May, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Dustin May was considered a future star before his major league career ever began. While there was more inconsistency than most expected, May gets a free pass due to the stop-and-go springs/summer training, shortened season, and empty stadiums. Even with a few sub-par outings, he still managed to post a 2.57 ERA and 44 Ks over an NL rookie best 56.0 innings pitched.

His electric stuff should make him a staple in the Dodgers rotation for the future. He narrowly edges out teammate Gonsolin for the seventh spot.  

#6 Ian Anderson, SP, Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves rookie is the first of a slew of NL East contenders. Ian Anderson has performed quite well for a contending Braves team, despite having relatively low volume. He currently boasts a 3-2 record and a phenomenal 1.95 ERA. He is a welcome sign for a franchise in dire need of starting pitching.

#5 Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets

Our top member of the New York Mets checks in at number overall. While inconsistencies in his playing time ultimately hurt his chances to stake claim to the Rookie of the Year award, Andres Gimenez flashed enough potential to keep fans excited about the future.

The dazzling infielder looks primed to push and possibly supplant incumbent shortstop Amed Rosario as the everyday starter in 2021 and beyond. He currently holds a .263 batting average with 31 hits, 22 runs scored, two homers, and 12 RBI across 118 major league at-bats. He also flashed game-changing speed, leading National League rookies with eight stolen bases.

In addition to his excellent offensive output, Gimenez also showed phenomenal defensive potential at a key position. Much of the constancy issues that plagued recent Mets shortstops were noticeably absent with the young star patrolling the field.

The exciting combination of speed, offense, and defense appears to be a bright spot for future Mets teams. Assuming Gimenez has staying power, his ceiling is as a border-line Gold Glove-caliber player who provides a jolt in the middle of a good lineup and finishes near the top of the league in steals. His floor appears to be the current incarnation of Rosario.

#4 Jake Cronenworth, SS, San Diego Padres

Jake Cronenworth had been the most productive hitter in the 2020 NL draft class before and end of season slump drastically halted his ROY campaign. The Padres’ infielder finished the regular season with 49 hits, 172 at-bats, and an NL rookie leading 15 doubles and three triples. He also ranks highly in home runs (4), RBI (23), and holds a solid .285 average.

His combination of offensive abilities and defensive flexibility should give Cronenworth a long and productive major league career.

#3 Sixto Sanchez, SP, Miami Marlins

To be clear, Sixto Sanchez would rank first on any list other than Rookie of the Year. In my mind, he is the best NL rookie, the most dominant, and has the brightest future. The only thing standing in this way of the ROY trophy is his comparatively low volume.

Sanchez holds a 3-2 record and a 3.46 ERA over six starts. He also chipped in a tidy 33 strikeouts over just 39 innings of work. Beyond his phenomenal counting stats lies a player with obvious talent and electric stuff. His pitch speed and control immediately jump out when you watch him toe the rubber.

His talent is so obvious that it caused Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez to states that Sanchez is “like a mini-me with better stuff.” It appears as though the young stud has a real chance to become the Miami equivalent of Jacob deGrom.

#2 Alec Bohm, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

As exciting as Gimenez and Cronenworth were to watch, neither can stake claim to the honor of best offensive rookie in 2020. That title must be given to Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm.

Unlike Cronenworth, Bohm finished the season on a strong note. The budding Philly star led all NL rookies in hits (54) and RBI (23). His glistening .338 batting average also topped the class (minimum 90 at-bats). Even more impressive is the fact that Bohm accomplished this feat despite playing only the sixth-highest total of games amongst his fellow n rookies (44 total).

It seems as though the Mets will see a lot of Bohm in divisional matchups over the next several seasons.

#1 Devin Williams, RP, Milwaukie Brewers

Devin Williams is the most underrated of the young class of future star pitchers. His 53 strikeouts paced all NL rookies. Even more incredibly, he accomplished this feat in just 27 total innings pitched.  He holds a 4-1 record and a nearly perfect 0.33 ERA. While the sample size is small, Williams has shown flashes of a player who could take over the Josh Hader role should the small-market Brewers ever decided to cut ties with their prolific closer.

In a league where consistent closers are becoming increasingly rare and effective bullpen arms are as important as ever, Williams seems to have a special skillset. There is a clear pathway for him to become an All-Star and top reliever in the very near future.

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