3 Mets prospects they should be willing to trade, 3 to make untouchable for now
![Jul 17, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kevin Parada puts on a jersey after he was selected by the New](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4034,h_2269,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/3/01h4r1sds0t60kk402fe.jpg)
The New York Mets are laying in a very vulnerable pool as we inch closer and closer to the MLB All-Star break. Right before this, the 2023 MLB amateur draft will take place, opening up the doors for athletes to punch their dream career ticket, and for teams to secure their future guy. In the mix, the trade deadline will follow these two events, and for the Mets this can be an organizational make or break.
It is without a doubt that Steven Cohen won’t hesitate to rupture the existing Mets roster if the team does not find its way back in the dance of the division. Sitting fourth in the National League East with 18 games behind the Atlanta Braves, the division looks unimaginable, however, it is early with a lot of baseball to be played with regards to wild card contention. How the Mets display themselves and project in the next month will determine if they are buyers or sellers; that being said, there are prospects that the Mets should strongly consider playing the market with and prospects that should be untouchable.
Mets considerable trade-block prospects: RHP Christian Scott
This right-hander, Christian Scott ranks 28th of the Mets top 30 prospects, drafted by New York in the fifth round of the 2021 draft. This young arm poses value to the Mets in the coming years, with estimated time of arrival to the big leagues being 2024. Scott has put up numbers to have his stock and projection at peak of the trade market. In three minor league seasons he’s gone 7-5 with a 3.74 ERA, 113 innings pitched, striking out 136 while walking 33. His 95mph running fastball along with his 84mph slider, and a speed-dropping changeup compliments his IQ and mound capabilities.
As Scott isn’t fully established in his role as of yet, the potential for him to be a starter is evident and the role he can play in the back end of a bullpen is key. Teams employing Scott can see where fits and use his arsenal in demanding scenarios within the farm system. Scott would be of high value in a trade package that could send postseason reinforcements back to Queens.
Mets considerable trade-block prospects: RHP Dylan Tebrake
Another righty that could be apart of a Christian Scott package in a shipment out to bring in talent, RHP Dylan Tebrake of Brooklyn Cyclones A+. Tebrake is a 2022 draft pick from the eighth round by the Mets. Tebrake himself can be a useful trade-piece come deadline time. Tebrake’s repertoire chops up batter visibly with a running fastball painting corners at 97mph and sweeping off speed that generates a fair number of strikeouts and ground balls. The 2021 Big East Pitcher of the year has translated very well into professional baseball with two seasons at 1.82 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 10 walks.
Although his time of arrival to the show is a few years away, this will give organizations time and distance to further develop Tebrake and customize his positioning. Tebrake can push his offerings to arrive in the league as a starting pitcher, however, his repertoire can have him succeed as a late game reliever or closer.
In the meanwhile, adding some options to his pitch arsenal and or refining some of his off-speed weapons can increase his value. Tebrake would be a very valuable asset in a trade package, while the Mets will give up an uncertain piece toward roster improvement.
Mets considerable trade-block prospects: OF Nick Morabito
Drafted in 2022 at 19 years of age, Nick Morabito is fresh and vibrant within professional baseball and has a ton of room for development and molding. Morabito stands 5’11 at 185lbs of athleticism with total range and mobility as an outfielder.
His at athletic game from his feet to his hands started as a high school shortstop and translated to the grass. He poses uncertainty within his hitting abilities due to a clear struggle in strikeouts. In two professional seasons down in the Florida Complex League, Morabito saw 92 at-bats with 21 hits, 12 RBIs, 9 stolen bases, 16 walks, and an alarming 26 strikeouts. He’s batted a career .228 with a .357 on-base percentage.
Morabito does display the ability to reach base and get across. Most of his grades are average except for his running. This is perfect collateral for the Mets, as his player profile isn’t fully established to satisfy retaining. The Mets can draft an outfielder of the same calibre, and use Morabito for his 65-graded running skills and projection toward a helpful trade package. Morabito is still young with raw talent and his selection in the second compensation round of 2022 is leverage in value towards moving pieces.
Mets untouchable prospects for the trade deadline: RHP Blade Tidwell
When discussing the future of the Mets and pitching scenarios, it is hard to exclude Blade Tidwell from the conversation. . He’s ranked 5th overall Mets prospect, and the highest ranked pitcher of the top 30 prospects. His repertoire and performance in college speaks for itself, projecting him to be a part of the Mets future rotation, possibly by 2025. So far in his professional career with New York, he’s 5-4 with a 3.31 ERA, pitched 68 innings striking out 97 and only walking 44 hitters.
Tidwell’s accolades and recognitions in college were quite diverse from freshman all the way towards his draft year. These accolades included but weren’t limited to Freshman of the Week, SEC All-Freshman team, 2021 Perfect Game Freshman All-American, 2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, 2022 NCBWA Preseason All-American First team.
There will be a case where the Mets will depart from their top dog arms such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and or Kodai Senga. The Mets organization and Mets fans expect Tidwell to be a key starter, also to be a guy the organization builds around with regards to arms. Tidwell is currently playing in A+ for the Brooklyn Cyclones and is having a good showing so far.
Mets untouchable prospects for the trade deadline: RHP Tyler Stuart
Tyler Stuart is not ranked on the top 30 prospect list for the Mets but has emerged to be a guy to keep around. Tyler originates from Illinois, and he attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He had a Perfect Game national overall ranking of 500 and ranked 514 in his position as a right-handed pitcher. His state ranking was 52 overall with a positional rank of 16th overall in the state of Illinois. So far the Brooklyn Cyclones are benefiting from his performance so far this season as he’s 4-0 with 75.2 innings pitched striking out 84 sticks and only walking 23.
The right-hander stands 6’9” 250lbs with a good consistent delivery that heats up a 98mph fastball, early 90s sinker, and low 80s changeup. He’s shown effectiveness in his pitch usage with good command and ability to control counts. His composure is evident and his IQ is above satisfactory. Stuart will be anticipated as time goes on; as he develops, he will be promising to the future of the Mets pitching staff. The future of Tyler Stuart can involve being a key trade piece once his stock has increased by 2024, however for now it is beneficial for him to remain a Met.
Mets untouchable prospects for the trade deadline: C Kevin Parada
It is fairly difficult to find a top shelf catcher and Kevin Parada is just that. He is not only top shelf in his makeup but he’s also the Mets top prospect, who they selected in the first round of the 2022 draft. Parada attended the George Institute of Technology located in Atlanta, Georgia. In two college seasons, his career numbers for collectively impressive for a right handed hitting backstop.
He batted .341 with an impressive .420 on-base percentage; a very sound performance in the competitive Atlantic Coast League. He ended his sophomore year with a .361 batting average, .453 on-base percentage and a 1.162 OPS. Parada’s on-base percentages were always consistent and resulted in him scoring a decent chunk of runs for his club. He also walks as much if not more than he strikes out.
Parada would be a player that you’d deal in a blockbuster trade to bring in ground breaking names; a trade that could include a Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr, Luis Castillo or a gift of that nature. Parada is one of two ranked catching prospects in the Mets organization and is expected to be around in a battery that includes Francisco Alvarez. His estimated time of arrival is 2025.
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