Tyler Oringer: Well, this one is obvious. If you’ve been following any of my coverage throughout the season, you know how much I love the future first baseman for the Mets. The fact that the 23-year old was not called up this season in order to manipulate service time for his age 31 season is beyond belief – but hey, let’s stick to the good part.  Alonso finished his 2019 minor league campaign (65 games at Double-A, 67 in Triple-A) with 36 home runs, 119 RBIs and a triple slash of .285/.395/.579. The changes to his swing from 2017 were real, and allowed him to drive the ball to more fields with major league power, while also advancing his plate discipline to another level. The former Gator saw his OBP jump from .355 to the aforementioned .395.  Alonso finished a full minor league season between Double-A and Triple-A at 23 years old with an OPS of .975. Yes, his defense is not good, but the bat makes him the clear MVP of the Mets’ system in 2018.

Breakout prospect of the year: Jeff McNeil

Alex Rosen: Jeffrey, Jarrett and I were all on McNeil as a future major league contributor before July (and as early as 2014 in Jeffrey’s case) but we’d all be lying if we said we saw this coming. Injuries limited him to just 21 games above A-ball in 2016 and 2017 but McNeil rode a vastly improved frame and a new stomp and pull approach all the way to Queens before the end of July. He’s been the Mets’ best position player since the day he arrived in Flushing – not to mention one of the best players across all of baseball – and gives the organization another cost-controlled above-average regular to build around.

“Cy Young”: Um… Justin Dunn and David Peterson… I guess

TO: DISCLAIMER: I don’t feel comfortable giving either of these guys a Cy Young vote here, but the Mets didn’t really have any impressive season showings from any of their developing starting arms. Dunn, a 2016 first round pick out of Boston College, was okay this season but did improve greatly from 2017. He did struggle a bit in Double-A but flashed some of the potential the Mets have seen, striking out 156 batters in 135.1 innings. Control has continued to be an issue for the 22-year-old, but next season should be a massive stepping stone in his development. I’ve always felt his relief potential was immense and he could be extremely valuable there, but it would be quite the stretch to move him to the bullpen any time soon. Like Dunn, Peterson was good, not great. The 2017 first rounder dominated full-season A-ball, but was knocked around by Advanced-A hitting, surrendering 74 hits in 68.2 innings pitched. The southpaw already has the control and movement to be a legitimate prospect, he just needs to serve up fewer hittable pitches as he goes on.

Platinum Glove: Luis Guillorme

TO: A favorite of mine who was handled as poorly as he could have been in 2018.  Regardless, Guillorme is already an elite defender. If given the chance to start at shortstop or second base in a full major league season, the 23-year-old would challenge for a Gold Glove.  Guillorme flashes some of the smoothest actions and fluidness that any middle infielder in the minors has shown over the past few years. There is a lot to love about Guillorme, if the Mets could just figure out a way to best utilize his talents.

Comeback prospect of the year: Justin Dunn

AR: Dunn’s full-season debut couldn’t have gone much worse, but he rebounded nicely and took care of business in 2018, tossing about 90 innings in Binghamton en route to winning the organizations minor league pitcher of the year award. It was more of “meh” season by top pitching prospect standards, but even that was markedly better than Dunn’s 2017 in the Florida State League. There’s still a ton of room for improvement, especially with the change-up, but 2018 was without a doubt a step in the right direction. The stuff came back, the command improved and Dunn’s now one step closer to the big leagues.

Most likely to have their service time manipulated: Peter Alonso Andres Gimenez

AR: Oh, this is for the future? (looks at personal pref list…) Andres Gimenez it is! Until the rules change in the next CBA, teams are going to hold down top prospects to gain that extra year of control. It’s going to happen to Gimenez too, unless the Mets find themselves in a pennant race in 2019 with a hole to fill. Nevertheless, Gimenez had a tremendous 2018 season across Port St. Lucie and Binghamton, solidifying himself as one of the best prospects in the game.

The Ty Kelly Memorial Roster Spot: Gavin Cecchini

AR: Cecchini was off to a solid start in Las Vegas before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He’s seemingly been around for forever, though he somehow won’t turn 25 ‘till December, but his spot on the 40-man is hanging by a thread. The former first rounder has never really received an extended stay with the big league club, but seems like a prime candidate to hang around as organizational depth for a number of years.

Best early return from the 2018 draft: Ross Adolph

TO: Adolph was drafted in the 12th round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft, but has already shown his value in his first year in Brooklyn. In my live look at Adolph, he did not get any hits or even take good routes to the ball in the field, but the athletically built outfielder owned a noticeably advanced approach at the plate and looked the part. The Toledo alum put up some nice number with the Cyclones, OPSing .857 with 14 stolen bases and an affinity for chasing down balls in the outfield.

Most likely to receive the Dominic Smith treatment: Mark Vientos

AR: Vientos still has a long ways to go before he’s a viable major league contributor, but he’s an early round pick who might find playing time hard to come by at the big league level. Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez look to be franchise cornerstones in the infield and Jeff McNeil’s not going anywhere anytime soon, leaving Vientos without a future home on the dirt as of now. Of course, these things tend to sort themselves out, but it hasn’t with Smith at the big league level for one reason or another. A similar fate could be awaiting Vientos, though we’re at least a couple of years away from having to even entertain the possibility.

Most likely to pitch too many high leverage innings: Kevin Smith

AR: The Mets went reliever heavy on Day Two of the 2018 MLB Draft, using a seventh rounder to grab Smith, a crafty SEC lefty with starting experience. There’s likely some internal hope that Smith can start, but having seen him this summer, I can tell you with confidence that that ain’t happening. He’s a future LOOGY in the Jerry Blevins/Daniel Zamora mold who’ll probably be overused like Blevins was in 2017. To be clear, a major league LOOGY is a fine outcome here, but the Mets have an affinity for Smith that I just personally don’t see.

The Reliever of the Carousel of Relievers Who Is Legit:  Drew Smith

TO: Bad timing – I know.  Anyway, Smith possesses true back-end relief talent which has come through in his every stop in the minors and more recently, the majors. I wrote about Smith back in Week 7 of the Prospect Watch, and stand by those previous comments.  Smith’s fastball and slider combination poses the potential for some elite late-inning stuff which has already come to fruition in 2018. When Sandy Alderson traded a fading Lucas Duda for a relief arm, people were concerned, but it would not be crazy to me if Smith is closing with success for New York in the near future.

Biggest Disappointment: Desmond Lindsay

TO: When Lindsay was drafted in the second round of the 2015 draft, big things were expected. The centerfielder looked to have the tools, body, and pedigree to turn into a major league regular, but things have just not transpired that way. Lindsay is still stuck in Advanced-A ball, and has not shown any reason to get out of it. The right-handed hitting high school pick has OPSed .715 and .640 in consecutive seasons – and unless he makes the necessary adjustments to his approach, his athleticism may end up going to waste. Injuries have hampered the 21-year old throughout his short career, so there is still a bit of hope – but change must come fast.

Happiest Met to head to Syracuse: Nabil Crismatt

AR: If Crismatt pitched the entire season in Binghamton, he’d have been my choice for the Cy Young award. Unfortunately, we can’t erase those nine starts in Las Vegas and Crismatt will instead have to settle for the “Happiest Met to head to Syracuse” designation. His strong season in Double-A proved there’s a future major league contributor here, but the disaster in the desert muddied things. The Mets will need to protect Crismatt from the Rule-5 draft this offseason by adding him to the 40-man roster, which currently seems like a toss-up at best. He should absolutely be protected, but this is the Mets and they’ll let him go to Oakland, where he’ll suddenly become a No.3 starter.

Best trade deadline acquisition: Franklyn Kilome

TO: This is quite obvious, but not because the other acquisitions were bad – it’s because Kilome, the only player from the Asdrubal Cabrera deal with the Phillies, is that good. The 6’6,” 175-pound 23-year old, has shown to have an advanced upper-90s fastball along with an impressive curveball which has a swing-and-miss movement. In Double-A, Kilome struck out 125 batters in 140 innings, but did walk 61.  Kilome needs to work on his control, but the young right-hander does flash the stuff to succeed as a major league starter – and should see time on the big league club at some point next year.

Most excited to see in 2019: Thomas Szapucki

AR: Szapucki missed the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but is set to return to the mound in 2019. He’s only thrown a total of 83.1 innings in his brief career and will turn 23 next June, but Szapucki has undeniable upside that enticed virtually everyone who saw him. He flashed three potential plus offerings from a tough slot prior to the injury, giving him top of the rotation upside if he could simply stay healthy. There’s no question he’s behind the developmental curve, but 2019 could be a make or break season for the left-hander.

Tim Tebow Award: Tim Tebow

TO: Sorry, I just had to.

Photo credit: Brad Penner – USA Today Sports

Brooklyn Cyclones (Short-Season-A)

Hitter: Nick Meyer

The Mets made Meyer the 170th overall pick in this year’s draft not due to his prowess with the bat, but rather for his pro-ready glove. He hit well this spring for Cal Poly (.344/.408/.428) but that line looks like more of an outlier than a new normal. Meyer’s future is as a defensive backstop through and through but still, .243/.286/.297 in 111 at-bats is an ugly triple-slash for a high college pick in the NYPL.

Meyer differs from the majority of catchers in the lower levels of the organization in the sense that there aren’t any questions about whether he’ll be able to stay at one of the games premier positions. Jake Rogers is in the same boat over in Detroit, though he’s a more highly regarded defender and has shown some sense of competence with the bat in Double-A. It’s unlikely either player becomes an impact hitter in the bigs, but there’s value in a high probability backup.

Hitter: Carlos Cortes

Carlos Cortes was the organization’s third-round selection this past June and was subsequently sent to Brooklyn along with all of the other Day Two picks. He’s been solid in 123 at-bats, slashing .268/.336/.398, and should begin 2019 in Columbia. The Fireflies figure to be the Mets best minor league affiliate next season, as it’s possible we see Cortes, Jarred Kelenic, Shervyen Newton and Mark Vientos, among others, in the Sally.

Cortes doesn’t project as a fast-mover throughout the minors, but he needs to be challenged in full-season ball next year, and Columbia is the logical first destination. It’d be a disappointment if he were unable to reach Port St. Lucie by the end of 2019.

Kingsport Mets (Rookie Ball)

Hitter: Mark Vientos

Vientos has absolutely destroyed Appy League pitching thus far, smacking 10 home runs to go along with a .386 OBP and .520 SLG in 179 at-bats. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is an impressive 30:26, especially for a player who won’t turn 19 until December. Add it all up and one question remains: what is this guy doing in the Appy?

Vientos finished the 2017 season playing in four games for Kingsport so while this isn’t technically a repeat of the level, it’s still quite odd he returned for another go. Instead, he likely should’ve been with the Cyclones this year, preparing him for a full-season debut in 2019. It looks unlikely that Vientos begins 2019 with Columbia, but he should roll through the NYPL and force a promotion by seasons end.

GCL Mets (Rookie Ball)

Pitchers: Franklin Parra, Zachary Hammer, Saul Gonzalez

The Mets have been careful not to overwork any of the pitchers they selected in June and that’s no different for this trio of prep arms. All three have a chance to develop into starters, but, in an effort to keep their workload down and instead make good use of key player development time, their only appearances of the season have come out of the bullpen. This also includes Simeon Woods-Richardson, the team’s second-round pick, but he’s been inserted into the rotation for two turns now.

Parra was a local lefty from the Island who turned down JUCO powerhouse San Jacinto to sign with the Mets. He’ll turn 19 in September, making him a little older than Hammer and SWR, but he’s left-handed. With a four-pitch mix and room to add to the frame, Parra has some starter tools. In six innings out of the pen, Parra has allowed two hits, six walks and no runs against five strikeouts.

Hammer’s first appearance as a member of the organization came on Thursday, when he threw a single inning of relief. He struck out one and allowed a single hit, but the results aren’t what matter here. Most, if not all, of the high school pitchers selected have strict innings limits the Mets would like to adhere too. That Hammer will have some professional innings under his belt is an encouraging sign, and a far better outcome than if he weren’t to pitch at all in 2018.

Gonzalez is an imposing force out on the mound, combining an XL frame (6’7,” 235 pounds) with mid-90s velocity already. The problem is his lack of off-speed stuff, but the Mets think they can help him develop an oft-used curveball and possibly a changeup. When you’re able to blow 95 past unsuspecting high school hitters, you don’t need the secondary offerings. That all changes in pro ball though, and Gonzalez’s future hinges entirely on his ability to develop a second and possibly third pitch. He’s been roughed up in 2.1 innings, allowing five hits and three runs while only striking out one, but it’s only 2.1 innings.

Photo credit: Brad Penner – USA Today Sports

Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A)

Hitter: Kevin Kaczmarski

I wrote about Kaczmarksi in Week Six of the Prospect Watch and theorized he was next in line to receive the call. Well, news broke late Thursday night that Kaczmarski had been scratched from the Vegas lineup and would instead be flying to New York, along with teammate Drew Smith, to join the big league club on Friday.

A 2015 ninth-rounder by way of the University of Evansville, Kaczmarski didn’t reach Double-A Binghamton until his age-25 season. The batting average (.274) and on-base percentage (.370) were fine, but his five home runs in 452 at-bats and .369 slugging percentage were not.

Kaczmarski doesn’t possess even average game power and has a fringe arm, making him a non-traditional fit for right field. He doesn’t have the requisite speed for center and doesn’t profile as a regular there, either. That leaves left field as his likely position, but a complete lack of power presents quite the challenge. If he’s not a plus defender in left, where is his value coming from?

While his strikeout to walk ratios have been very encouraging, we need to take those with a grain of salt considering Kaczmarski has been old for every single level he’s played at, besides his 24 games with Las Vegas this season. Even in the high octane offensive conditions out in the desert, Kaczmarski has just five extra-base hits in 80 at-bats.

Does this sound like a promising young player to you? Kaczmarski’s receiving a considerable amount of hype that’s unjustified in this writer’s humble opinion. There’s no carrying tool with the bat and while the approach may be above average, major league pitchers will have no problem attacking him if they know they won’t be punished for it.

I think the Kaczmarski hype is more of a product of the sad state of the Mets than anything else. Mets fans are willing to blindly throw support behind an outfielder with just five home runs in 559 at-bats above Single-A because they think he can’t possibly be any worse than Jay Bruce. Here’s a spoiler alert: Kaczmarski is a role 3 (organizational depth), and I don’t expect any better than a 2018 Jay Bruce line (.212/.292/.321) from him.

Pitcher: Chris Flexen

While Flexen was never a top Met prospect, the prevailing thought was that he could eventually settle in as a fourth or fifth starter if his command improved. Well, Flexen’s command still comes and goes in spurts, and his problems seem exasperated whenever he pitches for the big league club. He walked 35 batters in his 48 innings with the Mets last season and has walked three batters in 2.1 innings with them this season.

In what now seems like a fluky 2017 season split between Port St. Lucie and Binghamton where he only walked 10 in 63 innings, Flexen earned considerable hype as the next Mets pitcher to exceed everyone’s expectations. He still has a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid-90s and a four-pitch mix, but he looks like a middle relief option instead of a starter at this point. Now, that’s actually a great outcome for a 14th round pick, but more was expected from the 6’5” right-hander. He seems destined to ride the Mets bullpen shuttle from Vegas to New York for the rest of the season.

Brooklyn Cyclones (Short-season-A)

Hitter: Kendall Coleman

With the Mets short season teams starting play this week, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss some noteworthy prospects that are way down on the farm. Kendall Coleman is not one of them.

The return from the Yankees for L.J Mazilli, Coleman was an 11th round selection in the 2013 draft. While he has battled some injuries, he hasn’t played above A ball and is repeating the New York Penn League for the third straight season. We’re now approaching 800 career at-bats of data for Coleman and his career slash line sits at a paltry .207/.307/.303. So, why are Mets fans hoping for a breakout season from Coleman?

I don’t know either, because there’s nothing in the profile that suggests Coleman can improve and climb the minor league ladder this season. He did hit a grand slam on opening day for Brooklyn though, and that was apparently enough for Mets Twitter to hype him up as a toolsy outfielder that just hasn’t figured it out yet.

There are better and more interesting prospects in the lower minors, so let’s focus on those and stop trying to hype every minor leaguer as a potential big leaguer, please.

Pitcher: Ryley Gilliam

Gilliam was the Mets fifth-round pick this year out of Clemson and was promptly sent to Brooklyn, along with every other Day Two pick, to begin his professional career. Now, that’s a problem considering Gilliam is a reliever only and was lauded for his potential to move quickly through a minor league system. That’s presumably why the Mets spent a fifth-round pick on a college closer, yet here we are, on June 22, and Gilliam is sitting in Brooklyn’s bullpen.

Gilliam threw 38.1 innings for Clemson this season, dominating ACC hitters to the tune of a .165 opponent batting average. He has the potential for two plus pitches (fastball and curveball) and while he needs to work on developing his changeup, he should be doing that in Columbia at the very least.

Other organizations usually spend high picks on relievers they plan to fast-track to the majors. The Mets spend high picks on relievers they plan to send to short season ball. See the difference? Seriously, what even is the point of selecting Gilliam, who in reality should be ready to contribute by the end of 2019, if you’re going to send him to Brooklyn to begin his career?

Kingsport Mets (Rookie league)

Hitter: Mark Vientos

Let’s talk about another questionable assignment, this time with Vientos, who’s one of the Mets’ best prospects. The Mets took Vientos out of high school in the second round of the 2017 draft, and he was decent (.262/.318/.398) in his debut season split between the GCL Mets and Kingsport. Still just 18 years old, the Mets elected to have him start the season in Kingsport instead of Brooklyn.

While Vientos wasn’t spectacular in rookie ball last season, the least the Mets could’ve done is send him to Brooklyn. Instead, they filled the roster with college performers and slowed Vientos development down.

It’s true that all prospects develop at different paces, but let’s take a look at the Braves 2017 second rounder, Drew Waters. Waters, like Vientos, didn’t tear up rookie ball in 2017. But the Braves sent him the Sally League to begin 2018 and have been rewarded thus far with a .304/.353/.536 triple-slash.

The Mets don’t move anyone fast, save Michael Conforto in 2015, and they seemingly have regrets about that transaction. It still doesn’t make any sense, but that’s why the Mets are who they are every single season.

Pitcher: Jose Moreno

Moreno will turn 22 on July 31 and is still in Kingsport, but he might be kind of interesting? He reportedly hit 99 mph in his start Tuesday and was sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball in his six innings.

Listed at a legitimate 6’4” and 165 pounds, Moreno has a ways to go to fill out his body. He also needs to work on developing his secondary offerings, which are far behind the fastball presently. While we shouldn’t read too much into the numbers because 99 mph is enough to overpower rookie level hitters, Moreno is an interesting name to follow. If things go right, he could develop into a useful arm. If things don’t, you’ll likely never remember his appearance in the Prospect Watch. Nevertheless, he’s a high upside arm in a system thin on them, so let’s keep an eye on Moreno and see if the Mets get aggressive with him (spoiler: they won’t).

Photo credit: Steve Mitchell – USA Today Sports