3 Mets prospects who fell in the rankings and why

Mar 1, 2021; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets Matt Allan #93 poses during media day at Clover
Mar 1, 2021; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets Matt Allan #93 poses during media day at Clover / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The New York Mets currently have the 14th best farm system in all of baseball according to mlb.com. This is as high as they've been ranked in years and is thanks in large part to their two first-round picks this season in Kevin Parada and Jett Williams.

Those prospects join what has been a top-heavy farm system headlined of course by the number one overall prospect according to mlb.com in Francisco Alvarez. The Mets have three other top prospects in the top 100 in Brett Baty (#19 overall), Kevin Parada (#40 overall), and Alex Ramirez (#90 overall).

The Mets farm system is definitely improving and the interesting names don't stop after the top four. Guys like Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos aren't in the top 100 but are quality prospects to watch.

With all the good going on in the farm system, there are also some players whose stocks have fallen in the last year or two.

1) NY Mets prospect who fell in the rankings: Matt Allan

The New York Mets selected a guy who was thought of as a massive steal in the third round 89th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft in Matthew Allan. He was ranked as one of, if not the best pitcher High School pitcher in the draft class and only fell because of the money needed to sign him.

Allan was immediately ranked as the fourth best prospect in the Mets system in 2020 and was considered their best pitching prospect. Allan was ranked in that same fourth spot behind Alvarez, Baty, and Mauricio for the entirety of the 2021 campaign as well. Now, Allan finds himself ranked as the tenth best prospect in the system and just the third best pitching prospect.

Allan has fallen in the rankings for one reason and one reason only; his health. Allan appeared in six games in the Mets system in 2019 and pitched well in his 10.1 innings of work. With there being no minor league season in 2020, Allan was pitching at the Alternate Site.

In 2021, Allan underwent Tommy John Surgery after partially tearing his UCL and missed the entire season. In February of this season, Allan needed another surgery on that same elbow and hasn't appeared in a game.

Allan's status as a pitcher hasn't changed. He still has really solid potential. But with him only making six appearances in the Mets system in three seasons, he was destined to fall in the rankings.

Hopefully the 21-year-old is able to find his way through a healthy season next season so the Mets know what they have in their once promising prospect.

2) NY Mets prospect who fell in the rankings: Khalil Lee

In the 2020-21 offseason, the Mets acquired Khalil Lee in a three-team trade. They sent Josh Winckowski to Boston in the deal that ultimately sent Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City. Winckowski was acquired from the Blue Jays in the Steven Matz trade.

Lee was a top 10 prospect in the Royals system at the time and when the Mets acquired him, he was regarded as their seventh best prospect and their second best outfield prospect. Lee now ranks as the 24th-ranked prospect in the Mets system.

Since becoming a Met, it's been a struggle for Lee. With the bevy of Mets injuries last season, Lee saw MLB action when he probably wasn't ready for it. In his 18 plate appearances, he struck out 13 times, including the first eight at-bats of his career.

Lee has really struggled this season, slashing .203/.320/.374 with ten home runs and 32 RBI in 78 games. His big issue at the big league level was the strikeouts and he's been just as bad in Syracuse as he's struck out 112 times in just 281 at-bats.

Lee has some power potential and has great speed to go along with a quality glove. He has the tools needed to be a really good player but he just doesn't seem to make enough contact. Maybe one day he'll find his way on this team as a fourth outfielder, but his prospect status has taken a huge hit with his inability to adjust to the upper minor league pitching.

3) NY Mets prospect who fell in the rankings: Nick Plummer

Nick Plummer gave the Mets a signature moment that won't be forgotten if this season goes anywhere close to where the Mets want it to go. His home run in late May against the Phillies to tie the game in the ninth inning to help sweep the Phillies was a huge moment of the season from an unlikely member of the team.

That home run was Plummer's first hit and home run in the big leagues. He then followed that up with a three-hit game against the Nationals the next day with another home run and four RBI. After that, Plummer went hitless in his next 22 plate appearances and was recently Designated for Assignment.

Plummer was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2015 but struggled to get to the show as he dealt with injuries, but he was coming off of a solid season in 2021. The Mets signed him to an MLB contract this past offseason as they desperately needed outfield depth to avoid another Khalil Lee type of situation.

Unfortunately, despite a couple of good moments with the Mets this season, Plummer has not had a great season overall. He's slashed .226/.316/.362 with just seven home runs and 39 RBI in AAA. Plummer is a guy who's known for his bat more than his glove so his struggles offensively are what led to him being DFA'd.

The 26-year-old was the eighth-ranked prospect in the Mets system when he signed and is now ranked 25th.

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