Exciting NY Mets prospect is the next Jeff McNeil only better

As trade talks swirl around the New York Mets, both on potential outgoing Major Leaguers like Starling Marte, Jeff McNeil, and Brett Baty, as well as incoming targets to reinforce the starting rotation, we're going to start hearing more and more about prospects who could be on the move.

The Mets have a solid farm system with plenty of players who project to make an impact at the big league level in the coming years. FanGraphs rated their system seventh-best in baseball in 2024, while MLB.com's midseason update from last season had them ranked thirteenth. While opinions differ slightly, there's no question that this is a top-half system as currently constructed.

As the offseason progresses and moves are finalized, we might see the strength of the system take a hit. With that said, there's one player at the top of the Mets' prospect rankings who should be as close to untouchable as possible, and the incredible value his versatility brings is at the forefront of why the Mets would be wise to hold on to him at all costs.

Jett Williams positional versatility holds tremendous value for the Mets

Contending teams often sacrifice prospects for win-now additions. The reason for this is two-fold. First, the obvious one is trying to put themselves over the top in the chase for a World Series title. The second reason is that often many key positions are locked down by stars on long-term contracts.

Such is the case with the Mets who have players with long-term contracts anchoring much of their roster. Francisco Lindor isn't going anywhere soon. Neither are Juan Soto or Brandon Nimmo. If they re-sign Pete Alonso, you can add another long-term answer blocking the path for potential prospects.

With so few pathways to break into the big league lineup, sometimes a prospect needs to take an alternate route a la Jeff McNeil. When McNeil became a fixture in the Mets' lineup in 2019, he did so by playing four different positions. That season he tallied 37 games at second, 31 games at third, 71 games in left field, and 42 games in right field.

McNeil was able to adequately play all of those positions defensively, while also performing with the bat. That sort of versatility is a real skill and no easy feat. Jett Williams has the ability to take that versatility and supercharge it.

The 21-year-old Williams has elite speed and athleticism which the Mets have been developing to have him play second base, shortstop, and centerfield throughout his brief minor league career. Unlike McNeil's versatility which primarily resided in the corners, Williams has the ability to play the three most premium defensive positions and do so at a high level.

Two of the three positions he can play also happen to be the positions that the Mets have no clear long-term answer for. In Centerfield, the duo of Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri serve as stopgaps. At second base, McNeil will battle it out with youngsters Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio though it is unclear if either of those young players can distinguish themselves as the second baseman of the future.

Williams could emerge as the centerfielder of the future where his speed and defensive prowess would play nicely next to the statuesque Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo who will have the corners locked down for the foreseeable future. Or he could prove to be the best long-term option at second base where his elite speed and surprising power potential could play up to make him one of the game's best players at the keystone position.

Lastly, while filling one or both of these roles, Williams can also serve as the primary backup to Francisco Lindor – giving the Mets an option beyond your typical light-hitting backup shortstop.

Williams has the potential to be Jeff McNeil 2.0, except with even more value. For that reason, he should be as close to untouchable as possible in any trade negotiations.