2 notable Mets prospects drafted in the first round plunge on MLB Pipeline's list

MLB Pipeline updated their list of the top 30 prospects for each team and the best 100 in the league. As it should in August, the list of the 30 best for the New York Mets looks a lot different than it did prior.

We find Brandon Sproat appropriately listed as the best. First-round pick Carson Benge falls in at number five between Ryan Clifford and Ronny Mauricio.

Several big names dropped. Luisangel Acuna and his mediocre season in Triple-A now have him as the 12th best in the Mets system. He is behind Jeremy Rodriguez, whom the team acquired for Tommy Pham last summer, and one spot ahead of Marco Vargas, picked up in the David Robertson trade. More significant is how far two of the club’s recent first-round draft picks have plunged.

Mets prospects Kevin Parada and Colin Houck fell considerably in the latest rankings

Kevin Parada was the selection the Mets gained when they failed to sign Kumar Rocker in 2021. Taken 11th overall, he fell way down to number 25. He is behind Ronald Hernandez—the other guy picked up in the Robertson trade alongside Vargas—and one spot in front of Alex Ramirez who has suffered a similar fate.

Last year’s first rounder, the 32nd overall selection, has barely registered in the minds of fans. Colin Houck is now at number 21 behind Jacob Reimer who has been out for most of this season and Nate Dohm, a third-rounder from this year’s draft.

Parada is hitting .220/.311/.369 with 10 home runs this year in Double-A. Totaling up his professional numbers, he’s a .238/.327/.403 hitter. He hit more home runs in his final year at Georgia Tech (26) he has as a Mets minor league (25) and in less than half as many at-bats.

The still very green and only 19-year-old Houck hasn’t been any better. He’s slashing .205/.302/.313 with 5 home runs in Single-A. Drafted out of high school, the Mets are going to need some added patience.

Just because those two are down doesn’t mean the farm system is suddenly atrocious. It has been a poor year overall with significant injuries to several of their best young players. The sudden rise of pitchers Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong is a big positive. Helping to make up for the struggles of Houck is the strong play from fellow 19-year-old infielder and teammate Boston Baro. An 8th round selection in 2023, he’s hitting .289/.371/.402 for St. Lucie.