2) Simon Juan
The Mets signed Simon Juan as an international prospect during the 2021-2022 offseason. Juan’s first two seasons in the minor leagues were not that great. Between 2022 and 2023, the outfielder had just a .619 OPS and 71 wRC+ in 378 plate appearances between the Dominican Summer League and Florida Complex League. On top of that, he also struck out about a quarter of the time (24.6%, to be exact).
But his second go-around at the FCL was much better. Last season, in 202 plate appearances, Juan slashed .273/.337/.459 with a .375 wOBA and 112 wRC+. He walked 8.5% of the time but struck out slightly less with a 23.8% K%. Another positive is that he hit for much more power. Juan went yard seven times with 11 doubles, resulting in a .186 isolated slugging percentage. In comparison, he had just two homers and 14 doubles in 2022 and 2023.
Juan has hit very well in spring training this season as well. It’s only been ten plate appearances, but he has three hits already. One has left the yard. Juan has struck out twice but also has a pair of walks, along with a sacrifice fly. Overall, he’s done something productive six times in ten trips to the dish.
2025 could be a big year for Juan. He’ll likely get his first crack at A-Ball, the first time he’ll see a full season level of the minor leagues. Juan is only 19, so if he carries over his strong spring training performance into the regular season, you may start to see him climb prospect rankings.