Mets Minor Leagues: 1 player at every position to keep an eye on

Mets minor league first baseman Jeremy Vasquez

It can’t be a good feeling to know you’re a first baseman in the Mets’ system. This could be why Jeremy Vasquez has seen some action in the corner outfield spots. Even if his future doesn’t lead him to Citi Field, it at least opens him up to a few more opportunities with another organization.

Vasquez has hit well at several different minor league levels. Short on power for a first baseman, I think his most likely destination is to another team in a future trade. This doesn’t mean we should completely ignore what he does on the farm this season.

Mets minor league second baseman Carlos Cortes

Top-level second basemen are hard to find in the minor leagues because many of the best in the majors move there from shortstop. I have a lot of respect for second basemen, though. Fortunately, the Mets have a pretty good one with their number 19 prospect, Carlos Cortes.

I wanted to put a lesser-known player at this position, but Cortes is far and away the best. Plus, he’s still on the rise. After hitting .392 in Australia this winter, it has become clear he is a guy to watch. Cortes has decent power for a middle infielder and strikes me as a player we could eventually see in the big leagues playing a variety of positions. Notably, he’s actually beginning the 2021 season as an outfielder so his spot on this list at second baseman may not last all too long.

Mets minor league third baseman Will Toffey

Acquired in the 2018 Jeurys Familia trade with the Oakland Athletics, third baseman Will Toffey is well ahead of players like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos in terms of distance from the major leagues. Even if his performance may suggest otherwise, Toffey is a player we could potentially see gets a few reps in the major leagues—as long as he can prove he’s able to hit.

Toffey isn’t going to suddenly find his swing and steal a job from anyone. Only because of the level he’s at in terms of development has he caught my eye. At the very least, I’m curious to see if the young man has yet to reach his potential or if we’ve already seen the best of him.