Many people would agree that Brodie did some damage to the farm by trading pieces like Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods-Richardson, and Kevin Smith to name a few. The name that sticks out the most is OF Jarred Kelenic (who appears to gain muscle mass for every Cano strikes out or Diaz blows a save) as BVW failed to make the playoffs in 2019 and embarrassingly in 2020 during the expanded playoffs. Mets fans find themselves with little to no familiarity with the players that are currently left. Have no fear! I am here to help you get to meet the farm.

The Mets have a very interesting farm system that is loaded with players under the age of 20 with a lot of upside. While there is currently no super star hype in the farm like we seen with Jared Kelenic, there are a few names with All-star potential and break out candidates. I will go over the current top 10 prospects as ranked by MLB.com and add some of my own feedback. Please note that Andres Gimenez does not appear on the MLB.com top 10 list which I strongly disagree with.

The List (according to MLB.com)

1. Ronny Mauricio, SS, 19 y/o
2. Francisco Alvarez, C, 18 y/o
3. Brett Baty, 3B, 20 y/o
4. Matt Alan, RHP, 19 y/o
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), OF, 19 y/o
6. J.T. Ginn, RHP, 19 y/o
7. Mark Vientos, 3B, 20 y/o
8. Thomas Szapucki, LHP, 24 y/o
9. Josh Wolf, RHP, 20 y/o
10. Isiah Greene, OF, 19 y/o

1. Ronny Mauricio- The switch hitting shortstop is listed at 6’4 and has shown advance feel for the game for his age. He has the ability to hit at all sides of the field but currently has a very high ground ball rate. Once his body taps into his projected frame he should elevate the balls and hit them hard enough to become a power hitting threat that can hit for average. If he is able to learn to cut down on his K rates and improve his walk to earn a respectable OBP rate, he could be an All Star at SS or 3B. ETA 2022
   
2. Francisco Alvarez- The most exciting C prospect the Mets have had since acquiring Travis d’Arnaud in the RA Dickey trade to Toronto after the 2012 season. He destroyed Rookie league at the age of 17 during the 2019 season by slashing a combined .312/.407/.510 (combined Gulf coast and Appalachian League) in 182 plate appearances while walking 21 times and only striking out 37 times. Also, he projects to be an above average defender that can control the running game. We’ll have to wait and see how he continues to develop but if the Mets but he makes a compelling argument for why the Mets should NOT lock up JT Realmuto to a long term, expensive contract. ETA 2023
   
3. Brett Baty- Raw power! The left hand hitting youngster is projected to move quickly through the system due to his age and ability to hit. While he is expected to be an average defender at 3B, he comes well equipped with an arm that will allow him to throw lasers across diamond. While he sported a respectable .234 batting average in 2019, scouts believe that he is an advance hitter who can hit well and lay off curve balls. I’ve read about his bat being compared to all kinds of great hitters such as Christian Yelich, Joey Votto, and MLB analyst Harold Reynolds even went as far to compare it to “Freddie Freeman but with power!” ETA 2022

4. Matthew Alan- Before I get into the nerdy stuff, I have to mention that Alan was ranked #13 on MLB.com draft prospects in 2019 but was selected by the NYM in the 3rd round with the 89th overall selection! How? Teams know that Alan had very strong commitments to the University of Florida and that he was slotted to receive a high value bonus which deterred teams from selecting him early. The Mets decided to spend big on the first three rounds while loading up with cheap college options the rest of the draft. Some scouts feel that the 19 year old has the ceiling of an ace or no. 2 starter. His fastball can usually hit the mid 90s and top sat 97 and he throws a mean 12-6 curveball which is his bread and butter. He does not throw his change-up too often but scouts believe that he can develop that into a third plus pitch. ETA 2023
   
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong- Fun fact, both of his parents are actors. His mother, Ashley Crow, has multiple appearances on television. She has appeared on Heroes, Law and Order, Turks, and Supernatural. Her biggest role came in the movie “Little Big League” (1994) where she played Jenny Heywood. PCA was selected in the first round (19th overall) in the 2020 draft. He might have been the top high school player in the 2020 draft class and has started for USA Baseball’s 18U national team two years in a row. Some scouts think that he does not project to be a power hitter, more of a hit and run kind of outfielder with solid contact and speed. He can pick up speed quickly, so is expected to be a stolen base threat and an above average defender with great instinct. There are other scouts who say that he does posses raw power and will exceed the projections. There are some holes in his swing but if he is able to tap into power and improve his swing, his stock can sore to the top of prospect lists. ETA 2023
   
6. J.T. Ginn- Originally selected out of HS in the first-round (30th overall) by the Dodgers in the 2018 draft. He turned it down because he believed that they could not meet his demands. The Mets selected (and signed) Ginn in the second-round (52nd overall) of the 2020 draft. His stock sank due to a season-ending TJ surgery after his Freshman year at Mississippi State. The Mets decided to gamble on his health and took a shot at his upside, as he has two potentially plus-plus pitches in his fastball that touches 99MPH and his impressive slider. He also commands a decent changeup as well. ETA 2023
   
7. Mark Vientos- Vientos had a great 2018 season in the Appy league for Kingsport where he slashed .287/.389/.489 walking 37 times and striking out 43 times in 262 plate appearance at the age of 18. However, he took a large step back in 2019 in his A league debut or the Fireflies where in 454 plate appearances, he slashed .255/.300/.411 while walking 22 times and striking out 110 times. Power is what makes Viento’s stand out. He’s been described as a fringy 3B defensively but his plus-power bat could place him in the middle of the line up at the MLB level. ETA 2022
   
8. Thomas Szapucki- I have been a fan of Szapucki since the Mets drafted him in 2015. He has an above average curveball, sneaky fastball, and a decent changeup that he mixes up up and down the strike zone generating plenty of Ks. Unfortunately, he has had issues staying healthy. He has never logged more than 70 IP in his minor league career. It is hard to envision him sticking into a rotation, but he has the tools to be a threat out of the bullpen. For more info on Szapucki, please see here ETA 2021
   
9. Josh Wolf- Another great arm added by the Mets during the 2019 draft with strong college commitment. He was drafted in the 2nd round (53 overall). Stop me if you heard this one before, he possess two plus pitches in his fastball and curveball and also throws a decent changeup that has some back end movement. In 8 innings pitched, Wolf has generated a 12 K and only has allowed 1 BB. He is going to definitely be a prospect that I would keep an eye on entering the 2021 season. ETA 2023
   
10. Isaiah Greene- The Mets gained the 2020 69th overall pick (2nd round compensation pick) after Zack Wheeler decline the qualifying offer and signed with the Phillies. With that pick the Mets selected Greene who has been compared to Garret Anderson and Michael Brantley because of his smooth lefthanded swing that generates hard contact. He is a plus runner who is projected to hit around .300 while developing power with his frame. He can develop into a 5 tool player if he can improve his arm and instincts at CF, but scouts have him eventually moving to corner OF. I am very excited to see what he can do and hope that he can fill the void left in my heart after the Mets traded Jarred Kelenic. ETA 2024

Photo: CBS Sports