5 Mets minor league predictions for the 2022 season

After losing minor league baseball entirely in 2020, it was refreshing to have it back in 2021. We got to see several of the top New York Mets prospects grow further. Several made a couple of big leaps up to a new level. Others landed on the radar after not previously having a spot on many top prospects lists.

The minor league pipeline running to Citi Field might not be an elite one in the game, but there’s a lot of promise. And in 2022, these are a couple of moments and stories we can look forward to.

Everyone starts talking about Mets prospect Francisco Alvarez as the next young international star

The influx of young international stars into the game has made any team without one of those budding young superstars a little bit jealous. The Atlanta Braves have Ronald Acuna Jr. The Washington Nationals have Juan Soto. Can the Mets finally get in on the action?

Minor league catcher Francisco Alvarez is the one I view as the most likely to receive this reputation. Of course, with any reputation, there needs to be some execution.

Alvarez grew to become the number one Mets prospect—at least according to most lists. And if he’s not number one, he’s probably number two. As a 19-year-old last season, Alvarez combined to slash .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs and 70 RBI at the Single-A and High-A levels. Already with some developed power, it feels like he could turn into both one of the game’s best young players and a featured hitter in the middle of the lineup.

Mets fans already believe in the hype. In 2022, I predict so does everyone else that follows this game.