After trading away their two big free-agent signings at the trade deadline, the New York Mets have vastly improved their farm system. With numerous prospects making their way to the Queens for the 2023 season (Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos), the Mets farm system took a hit and needed replenishing. By trading away pitchers Max Scherzer (to Texas) and Justin Verlander (to Houston), they were able to acquire three prospects who slide into their top 10 in the farm system. But who else joins them?
Who Are the Top Prospects for the Mets Post-Deadline?
C Kevin Parada
After being selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2022 draft at pick number 11 after being ranked the sixth-best player in the draft class. Parada has worked through three levels of professional baseball, playing High-A baseball this season. His strong ability to hit for average and power was his calling card coming into the draft, and he has hit .270 in parts of two minor league seasons, along with 11 total home runs (one in 2022 and 10 so far this season). Downfalls to Parada’s game include his strikeout numbers, including averaging just over one strikeout per game this season (87 strikeouts in 82 games) and having a below-average arm behind the plate as a catcher.
Despite these downfalls to his game, Parada has the potential to be a 20-home run player and everyday catcher in the big leagues. With more development and improvement to his game. he could be knocking on the door to join the Mets lineup in the next couple of seasons.
SS/2B Luisangel Acuna
One of the prospects acquired at the trade deadline by the Mets was the return for Max Scherzer from the Rangers. Although Acuna does not necessarily hold the same high ceiling that his brother, Ronald, had come up with in the Atlanta system but is still a top prospect in New York’s plan.
One of the aspects of his game that does relate to his brother’s game is the speed on the base path. In 157 steal attempts in the two-plus seasons he has played so far, Acuna has swiped 126 bags. At the plate, he is seen as an aggressive swinger with an explosive swing, but he also opens himself up to many swings and misses, mainly on pitches that are not fastballs. This season Acuna has played in 90 games and has struck out 80 times already, but he has been able to steal a total of 43 bases.
He shows off enough arm strength in the field to play shortstop, but with Francisco Lindor currently entrenched at the shortstop position, Acuna could move to second base or the outfield at some point.
Overall, if he can improve on the swings and misses and continues to develop, Acuna could have the potential to be a 20-plus home run, a season hitter, and a .270ish hitter in the big leagues.
SS Ronny Mauricio
The switch-hitting Mauricio is seen as a power hitter from the left side of the plate more than he is from the right side. This season, he has improved his batting average from .259 last season to .289. Seen as holding above-average power, his numbers are down from last season from 26 to 16 this season.
He is seen as a player that has the knack for chasing pitches and not drawing many walks (he has the worst walk rate of any Mets-qualified minor leaguer) but has been able to improve on that this season, already matching last season’s total with 25 in 97 games played compared to 24 in 123 games played last season.
Defensively, being a shortstop like Acuna, he projects likely to move elsewhere. The third base is the most likely spot for Mauricio to jump to at some point.
The remainder of the 2023 season could be seen as the make-or-break type of season for Mauricio, with him looking to continue to improve on his patience and eye at the plate and being able to continue drawing walks.
OF Drew Gilbert
Another player acquired at the deadline, this time from Houston in the Justin Verlander trade, Gilbert was a first-round pick by the Astros in 2022. After being drafted, he quickly moved up the minor league ranks with Houston, making it to Double-A before being traded to the Mets.
Good hand-eye coordination has helped Gilbert barrel up the ball, but he sports a long swing that leads to more ground ball outs than there should be. On top of the long swing, he has been seen as being wild at the plate at times and needs to improve his control and patience. Even with the wildness, Gilbert is seen as a prospect who could hit 15-20 home runs a season (sitting at 12 this season in Double-A) and has above-average speed that could lead to having double-digit steals at the major league level (10 this season).
On the defensive side of the field, he possesses an above-average arm for a centerfielder but could also move to one of the corner outfield positions based on team need and development.
SS Jett Williams
Williams is seen as a player who, like Gilbert, can consistently barrel up the ball at the plate. Although only 5-8, he can have more power than expected for his height thanks to his excellent bat speed and is viewed as potentially having 12-15 home run a season power (he only has six this season in High-A ball). He also possesses the ability to be patient at the plate and has good discipline, having 77 walks to date this season.
Defensively, Williams relies on his raw instincts too much, which leads to him having some issues at shortstop, with many saying that he needs to rely more on his above athleticism in the field. Due to this, he is seen as a defensive player that could shift to an outfield spot depending on his improvement and development.
Bonus Prospect: OF Ryan Clifford
Clifford was the second prospect the Mets added in the Verlander trade with Houston. Just like Williams, he was a 2022 draft pick but picked in the 11th round by Houston. He is touted for his mature approach for his age (20 years old) but is seen as a player who needs to improve his strikeout rate (30% so far). With his power, Clifford has the potential to be a 20-25 home run-a-season hitter, having 19 so far in the 2023 season.
On the defensive side, Clifford possesses an above-average arm but below-average speed, which could lead to a shift from the outfield to a first baseman spot in the future if the Mets minor league staff feel he fits him better. Clifford has spent some time at first base throughout his amateur and professional career, so he is somewhat familiar with the position.
Overall, even though the Mets parted ways with two future hall of famers at the deadline this season, they added three prospects that fit into the top-1o of the farm system and added value and depth to it.
Main Photo Credits: Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Kevin Parada, Luisangel Acuña, Francisco Lindor, Ronny Mauricio, Drew Gilbert, Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford
