NY Mets can prioritize these names in the 2023 MLB Draft

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The New York Mets are right around the corner from the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur draft. The college baseball scene is hot, high school baseball is underway, and pre-draft showcasing is full blown active. The Mets have wiggle room on where they can stack up, and the variety of talent in this draft can be strongly beneficial.

The organization needs to prioritize key areas in the farm system that need to be supplemented after current prospects graduate to the big leagues. It is possible that top prospects could be involved in trades before the deadline in a scenario that the Mets are buyers towards contention. Which amateur draft prospects should be considered?

NY Mets possible 2023 draft selections: infield, outfield and pitching

The Mets first-pick will appear in the competitive balance round A at selection number 32, which will make things difficult in gunning for any of the top 20-ranked prospects. Thankfully the top 100-ranked list is rich in tools and projection.

Mets 2023 draft: outfielder, Enrique Bradfield Jr

The Mets first round selection could bring in a speedy and spray-type outfielder out of the notorious Vanderbilt University. This player could be a game changer for the Mets traffic on the base pads and steal-ability. Enrique Bradfield Jr is a vandy-boy Junior from Hialeah, Florida. Bradfield Jr is much more than what the grade scales show, and he is much more extravagant than the very few flaws he has in his profile. Bradfield is ranked 10th on MLB’s top draft prospect list for 2023, however he should be at least two or three spots higher.

Bradfield Jr’s top tool begins on his feet; his speed compliments every part of his game and this separates him from other outfielders in the ranks. He stands 6’1” 170lbs with an athletic-slim build and light on his toes. Defensively, Bradfield Jr covers a wide range of green in a rapid manner, displaying high explosive break on good angles, and ability to get to the ball in any format. His hands are good, and footwork is polished; his only downside is his arm, which will require development. Every defensive and athletic characteristic about Bradfield will supersede his throwing ability, as he is projected to be a big league outfielder.

He is primarily a contact hitter that can hit to all fields, going up the middle frequently and getting on base. Once on base, he causes havoc and is a game changer with his speed. So far in 2023, Bradfield has swiped 34 bags, a fraction of his total 127 stolen bases in three college seasons. In three seasons he’s recorded 217 hits, 15 homeruns, 105 RBIs, with a .317 batting average and .434 on-base percentage.

Previous outfield picks by the Mets include Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, and Jarred Kelenic; Bradfield has the potential to join this list and be successful as a major leaguer. He will add to the running game and guarantee an on-base presence for the Mets.

Mets 2023 draft: infielder, Jake Gelof

The Mets sixth ranked prospect Mark Vientos is protected on the 40-man roster and could either be a future star corner infielder in Queens, or a predominant piece in a late season trade package. In this case, the Mets should look to replace his spot on the top 30 prospect with a third baseman. Jake Gelof would be that guy. Gelof patrols the hot corner for the University of Virginia, carrying a hot bat and extreme power from the right side. Prior to Virginia, Gelof developed out of the IMG Academy in Florida. His hot stick and heavy barrel lead him into the NCAA, where he exploded in his 2022 season, smacking 21 homeruns, driving in 81 RBIs with a .377 batting average and a .477 on-base percentage.

Gelof has a plate presence that screams aggressive, disciplined, and awareness. He knows what he wants, what he doesn’t like, and what he can take advantage of. He shows ability to adapt to pitchers and counts, while taking huge hacks and protecting the zone. His signature tool is his raw power that generates bat speed and launch ability.

Defensively, Gelof can stand the hot corner with an above average arm and good hands. He’s also able to play the opposite corner at first, and has seen time at shortstop. His offensive attributes are his main value and can be the next big bat in the Mets farm system.

Mets 2023 draft: pitcher, Hunter Owen

The Mets can break in a southpaw into their farm system with Vanderbilt’s Hunter Owen. If healthy on assessment, Owen can be considered for a starter role, but either way brings valuable innings to the conversation. His 40-rank on MLB’s draft prospects list makes him a sneaky gem that the Mets could score in the first two rounds.

The monster lefty towers at 6’6” and 261lbs, coming heavy and hard down the hill between 93-95mph on his fastball, maxing at 97mph. His arsenal is equipped with a curveball that sweeps and breaks 12-6, a slider that is his out pitch, sticking early to mid 80s, and a workable changeup. His ability and consistency in throwing strikes makes him attractive, along with the potential to shape up his off speed and add velocity to all of his options. So far, Owen’s chucked 103.1 innings in college play, posting a 4.53 ERA with an impressive 129 strikeouts, and only 40 walks.

The Mets currently only have one left-handed pitcher on the active 40-man roster. Out of 16 primary pitchers on the top 30 prospects, only three of them are lefties. New York has room to add southpaw talent on the bump, and could see Hunter Owen as one of their high pitching draft picks.

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