This Yankees prospect the NY Mets drafted first is one to steal in a Tyrone Taylor trade

As hot as Tyrone Taylor has been, you might need to league deeper than a team’s top 30 prospects to find a good match. The New York Yankees are very much a team who could trade for the scorching New York Mets depth outfielder. He’s an immediate Band-Aid and later a player to slot in behind some of their starters once/if they get healthy.

The 16th round pick for the Yankees last season seems to have the kind of positive early results that could make trading Taylor to the Bronx more palatable. Jackson Lovich, who went unsigned after the Mets drafted him in the 19th round in 2022 out of high school, is a 22-year-old infielder who plays primarily positions on the left side of the infield.

Potentially a first baseman or even an outfielder as he progresses, two spots he played in college, Lovich is slashing .275/.350/.509 in 363 plate appearances this year. More stunning are the 18 home runs.

Tyrone Taylor for Jackson Lovich brings the Mets an unranked Yankees prospect with some tools they’re missing on the farm

Power is something the Mets don’t have a whole lot of on the farm. Ryan Clifford is by far their most well-known slugger, however, with his struggles in Triple-A to make contact, he is fading as a candidate to solve their hole at first base.

Lovich has that same issue. Already 101 strikeouts, there’s a good chance he has never heard of Tony Gwynn.

A right-handed swinger, the extreme power in A-Ball and not being chained to first base is impressive. He has played primarily shortstop since going pro with about the same number of innings at third base. He’s no lumbering slugger. His 21 stolen bases in 28 attempts blows away what he did in college. His high was 7 prior to getting drafted.

When it comes to Taylor, the Mets should be able to acquire someone with clear value even if there’s an ugly wart. With Lovich, it’s the strikeouts. This was already recognized in college with more than a punchout per game there. 

Lovich leads the Florida State League with his 18 home runs. The Yankees this even if the prospect rankings don’t seem to value the display he has put on.

A player like this is precisely what the Mets should target in a Taylor trade. It can backfire quickly. Lovich can end up overmatched by the time he gets to High-A. At the moment, they should go after the hot bat just as the Yankees could help themselves by doing the same with Taylor.

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