I’m still trying to decide if I like the Mets’ system. They have a lot of famous prospects, some of whom are good and some of whom are overrated.  They don’t have that “guy.”  A player that could emerge as a significant impact player.

Jett Williams has the best shot but spent most of 2024 on the IL.  Brandon Sprout might be able to pitch at the top of the rotation, but his first handful of starts at Triple-A have not gone well.  I’ve never been a big fan of Drew Gilbert, and his poor season did not give me any reason to change my mind.  Granted, he did spend a lot of time on the IL.  Ronny Maurcio didn’t play in 2024, and while the tools are exciting, there’s something about the approach that I fear will not work. That’s just a flavor of the uncertainty in the system.

Maybe none of this matters, as their system is good enough to use as assets to make trades. That might be who the Mets are – a collection of players other organizations have developed.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Jett Williams
• Biggest Mover: Brandon Sproat
• Biggest Disappointment: Colin Houck
• Emerging Prospect: Yovanny Rodriguez

1. Jett Williams (SS/OF)

• Highest Level:  Triple-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 OF with upside
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He’s a toolsy player walking as much as he’s striking out.  Unfortunately, he missed most of the 2024 season with a wrist injury that required surgery.

Jett Williams had a disappointing season. He injured his wrist in April, and after rest, it did not help; he had surgery. He did return late in the season and struggled to find his groove.  There’s too much talent here, and I think once the rust is knocked off, Williams will return to the player we saw in 2023.

He’s highly athletic with double-plus speed and can really run things down in the outfield.  He showed a mature approach at the plate in 2023 and walked nearly as much as he struck out.  He needs to get stronger so that he can add more over-the-fence power.

I won’t ding him too much in my overall rankings, as he has the makings of a Jarren Duran type of player.

2. Brandon Sprout (RHP)

• Highest Level:  Triple-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 40 SP with upside
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He has a big fastball and is throwing more strikes.

The Mets drafted Brandon Sproat in the second round in 2023.  He finally made his much-anticipated professional debut in 2024 and blew through High and Double-A, pitching to a 2.05 ERA.  In August, the Mets promoted him to Triple-A, but he struggled.  He pitched to a 7.53 ERA in seven starts, with his strikeout rate nearly cut in half. What happened?  He’s a power sinker pitcher, and usually, sinker-led pitchers have more muted strikeout rates.  Plus, sometimes the stuff doesn’t work, and in a small sample size, well, it can lead to a 7.53 ERA.

In reviewing statcast data, the arsenal looks solid.  His fastball averages 96 MPH (T 99) but has more characteristics of a two-seamer than a four as it has more sink and fade.  His best secondary pitch is his change-up, and when he throws that for strikes, it can be a big swing-and-miss pitch for him.  His curveball has improved the most this season, but in Triple-A, he was not missing bats with it like he did earlier.

It’s a starter arsenal, and when you consider his ability to throw strikes, the ceiling is a top-of-the-rotation starter.

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3. Drew Gilbert (OF)

• Highest Level:  Triple-A ETA: 2024-25 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He has a high floor as a solid Major League regular but lacks the tools to be a stat-stuffing fantasy player.

Drew Gilbert missed a big chunk of the season recovering from a hamstring injury.  He finally got back on the field in mid-July and never got it going.  In 56 games in Triple-A, he slashed .215/.313/.393, but he hit eight home runs.

I believe there is more in the tank than what he showed, but I still see more of a high-floor player than a star that many see.  He controls the strike zone well, and despite just average chase and in-zone contact rates in 2024, I believe that will improve after he knocks the rust off.  From a fantasy standpoint, I still see modest home run and stolen base potential – maybe a 15-15 type of player.  That gives him a ceiling of a number three outfielder on a fantasy team with high OBP skills.

4. Ronny Mauricio (2B/3B/SS)

• Highest Level:  DNP ETA: 2023 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 15 2B or Top 10 3B
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: There is 20-20 potential, but it will come with a .300ish OBP.

Ronny Mauricio missed the 2024 season when he blew out his ACL in the Dominican Winter League.  Below is what I wrote about him last year.  I believe it’s still relevant.

There is plenty of fantasy goodness sitting with Ronny Mauricio.  He has elite bat speed, is a plus runner with excellent instincts on the basepath, and can play all over the field.  His problem has been and continues to be that he swings at everything.  In 2023, he did reduce his strikeout rate meaningfully.  His 18.5% strikeout rate in Triple-A was the best of his career.  While it increased upon his promotion to New York, he still managed to keep it under 25%, and you would have to believe it would drop as he gets more comfortable with the level.

While he could post a 20-20 season, it will come with pressure on his batting average, and in OBP leagues, even more pressure.  Plus, players with an overly aggressive approach usually don’t age well.  Just ask Javier Baez.   That doesn’t mean I don’t like the player.  I like Mauricio and even have him in a couple of Dynasty Leagues.  Just know your parameters and plan accordingly.

5. Luisangel Acuna (SS/2B/OF)

• Highest Level:  Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 15 2B/SS, Top 45 OF
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He’s a plus runner with a feel to hit.  He’ll unlikely hit for a ton of power, but there is enough bat speed to project some.

After six years in the minor leagues, we have a good idea of who Luisangel Acuna is.

• He’s fast, with a chance to steal 30+ bases annually.
• He makes excellent contact, posting a 16.4% strikeout rate in Triple-A.
• Power will not be a big part of his game as his exit velocities are below average, and he’s a ground ball hitter.
• His approach is aggressive with a lot of chase, but when he swings at the ball in the zone, he usually hits it.
• He can play all over the field and spent time in 2024 in centerfield, shortstop, and second base.

So, where does this leave us?  It feels like Whit Merrifield, although Merrifield hit 19 home runs in 2017 and 16 in 2019.  Maybe Acuna can pop 10 to 12 home runs for a season or two, but I think 16 to 19 is a stretch.  But he could steal 40 bases with enough playing time.  You can also argue that he’s a better defender than Merrifield.

Acuna will not be a star, but like Merrifield, he can be an excellent fantasy contributor, particularly with his multi-position eligibility.  We should find out in 2025 and 2026, as he should get his shot.

6. Jonah Tong (RHP)

• Highest Level:  Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 45 SP
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: Plus arsenal, particularly his secondary pitches.  He needs to throw more strikes.

Jonah Tong was the Mets’ seventh-round pick in 2022 and only briefly pitched in 2023 (21 IP).  He has a four-pitch arsenal with a fastball that can run up to 95 MPH and a cutter, curveball, and change-up that can all miss bats.

He pitched across three levels in 2024, ending the season in Double-A.  In 113 innings, he posted a 3.03 ERA, striking out 12.7 per nine while walking 3.7 per nine. His biggest challenge is throwing strikes, but there is enough athleticism to suggest that will eventually happen.

There’s a lot to like with Tong, and if he can find better control, there’s enough here to suggest at least a mid-rotation ceiling.  My biggest hesitation is physicality.  He’s not a big guy, which might limit his ultimate ceiling.  However, nothing appears to be slowing him down.

7. Alexander Ramirez (OF)

• Highest Level:  Double-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 45 OF
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He’s toolsy with plus speed.  Despite plenty of bat speed, it has not translated into positive contact quality.  He’s still young, but the second half of 2024 was not good.

I’ve been a fan of Alex Ramirez, but his poor performance in the second half has concerned me.  The contact quality is just not there.  There is good bat speed, but it’s not translating into hard contact.  I don’t know if an injury caused his tailspin in 2024, but it is concerning.

On the positive side, he’s a 70-runner and controls the strike zone well (23% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate). Plus, he’s still only 23 years old. He needs to get stronger, and I believe he will, but there is a genuine concern that he falls into an MLB fourth outfielder type.

I’ve been stressing about buying low on him, and I still am, but my confidence has taken a hit.

8. Nick Morabito (OF)

• Highest Level:  High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 45 OF
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: Young, toolsy outfielder who is beginning to show an improved approach.

Nick Morabito was the Mets’ second-round compensatory pick in 2022. He’s highly athletic with plus bat speed and 70-grade speed. He’s becoming more patient on the plate and striking out at a league-average rate.  He’s still struggling with breaking pitches but can hammer a fastball.

While he’s not a finished product, the breakout is in full swing.

9. Carson Benge (OF, #19)

• Highest Level:  Low-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 50 OF with upside
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He has excellent bat speed, which should translate into 25+ home run pop. He can also touch 95 MPH off the bump.

Carson Benge is a draft-eligible sophomore, and after a solid season at Oklahoma, he elected to enter the draft.  He was a two-way player in college, reportedly touching 95 MPH with a plus curveball.  That said, he’ll be a hitter in professional ball with a chance to be a 70 defender in right field.  He’s a bat-speed kid still trying to figure out barrel control. In other words, he’s more of a ground ball/line drive hitter.  If he does, he could be a 25+ home run hitter.  He did walk as much as he struck out in college but also struck out 17% of the time, which is high for an amateur.

He played in 15 games in Low-A to end the season, slashing .273/.420/.436 with two home runs and three stolen bases.

10. Jesus Baez (3B/SS)

• Highest Level:  High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling:  Top 15 3B
• Last Updated: 11/15/2024
• Tools Summary: He has plus power potential and is making excellent contact.

Jesus Baez has some of the best bat speed in the Mets system and is projected to hit 20+ home runs at the highest level. His approach impressed evaluators the most in 2023 and has continued this season as he posted a 16% strikeout rate.

He’s stocky, with a large lower half.  While he’s an average runner now and is splitting his time between shortstop and third base, I don’t think stolen bases will be a big part of his game long-term.  He split his time between shortstop and third base, but in the long term, he’ll work better at the hot corner.

There’s a full-time regular lurking here, maybe more if he can continue to control the strike zone.

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