...but perhaps not the three that you're thinking.
Earlier today over at Baseball Prospectus noted prospect hound Jason Parks posted the BP Top 101 Prospects rankings. As with many of the national rankings three Mets made the cut; however, not the same three that we prospect watchers are used to hearing.
Specifically, the team's top prospect Noah Syndergaard naturally led the way at no. 11, the team's opening day catcher Travis d'Arnaud slotted in at no. 44, and to the surprise of some, man without a position Wilmer Flores appeared in the enviable no. 71 spot.
Here's what the BP prospect team had to say about each of these players in their latest takes:
Re: Syndergaard
"Monster size; high-end arm strength; fastball is thrown on steep plane; already works near plus-plus velocity range and can touch elite; shows heavy sink and occasional boring action; one source called his fastball "bottom-heavy and difficult to lift"; curveball flashes plus, with hard vertical action...shows strike-throwing ability and feel for working low in the zone.
...
(Syndergaard) could be a monster; has the potential for a near-elite fastball, two above-average secondary pitches and some pitchability. He could develop into a 15-plus game winner with high strikeout totals."
Re: d'Arnaud
"D’Arnaud is a complete catching prospect, and the only thing standing between him and several All-Star appearances is his ability to stay healthy and on the field. Offensively, d’Arnaud has plus bat speed and a knack for hard contact that should allow him to hit at least .280 in the big leagues once he settles in...When he makes contact, he consistently drives the ball to all fields and has the potential to pop 18-22 home runs and around 30 doubles at his peak.
D’Arnaud does a good job of receiving the baseball, handling velocity and secondary pitches with aplomb and demonstrating an ability to block pitches in the dirt. He isn’t fast, but his feet work quickly behind the plate, and he can get in position to unleash his plus arm with ease...His ceiling stands squarely in the plus regular range and he could be a perennial All-Star when it all comes together."
Re: Flores
"Excellent hand-eye coordination; good bat speed; good bat control; able to manipulate barrel in the zone; hit tool is a 5; a few sources had it rated slightly higher; raw power is plus...aggressive hitter that can punish mistakes.
Not a graceful athlete; 3 run; limited range on left-side of infield; glove actions are good, but footwork is clumsy; arm is average; best defensive profile is 1B.
...
Has the raw pop to hit 17-25 home runs at the highest level...has the potential to hit ~.270 because of contact ability."
Parks followed the list with a related chat where he didn't field many Mets question, but those he did shed some light on Flores/Montero:
It's an interesting take -- and, despite the fact that it isn't necessarily popular this ranking season, it's not really that out there when you consider that it's based on the hitting prowess of a 21-year-old kid who just batted .321 with 15 home runs and a nearly .900 OPS in his first exposure to Triple-A.
However, it does inherently mean that if you're starting a system you take Flores before Montero.
What do you think? Agree? Disagree?
