Top Pitching Prospect of the Week
Steven Matz, SP (A) - 6.0 IP, 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
An overslot pick in a forgettable 2009 Mets draft, Matz has spent most of his 3 and a half years in the system dealing with arm issues. So being 21 (22 next week) and still in A-ball doesn't really raise any age-related red flags. It helps that the hard-throwing lefty has been outstanding so far for the Sand Gnats. In 34.2 innings this year, Matz has collected 39 strikeouts (10.1 K/9) and issued 11 walks (2.9 BB/9). This past week, Matz matched his career high in strikeouts (9) and innings pitched (6), both set last year in Kingsport. It remains to be seen whether Matz winds up a starter or a reliever, but the only real task right now is for him to get some innings under his belt and stay healthy. Matz will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this December, and as a left-handed pitcher who can hit the upper 90s with his fastball, he'd be close to a lock, in my opinion, to get selected despite this being his first crack at A ball. As such, he's close to a shoe in to be added to the 40-man roster next November. If Matz continues demonstrating that his stuff is too good for the South Atlantic League, I could see the Mets moving him to St. Lucie this summer. But whether that promotion comes this year or next, his season will have been a huge success if he can just stay healthy and keep logging innings.
Age: 21
Acquired: 2009 Draft (Round 2, Overall Pick 72)
Signing Bonus: $895,000
MLB ETA: 2015
Honorable Mention:
Jack Leathersich, RP (AA) - 4.0 IP, 0-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Rainy Lara, SP (A) -12.2 IP, 0-1, 1.42 ERA, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 13 K
Matt Bowman, SP (A+) - 7.0 IP, 0-0, 2.57 ERA, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11 K
Rafael Montero, SP (AAA) - 6.2 IP, 0-1, 2.70 ERA, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Top Positional Prospect of the Week
Cesar Puello, OF (AA) - 30 PA, .357/.400/.571, 6 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 SB
A reflection of the big league club, there just isn't much to get excited about on the offensive side of the Mets' system these days. But lately, Puello has been one of the few exceptions. In 21 games since the calendar turned to May, the young, righthanded outfielder has hit .317/.371/.585 with 4 doubles, 6 homers, and 19 runs batted in. What makes Puello's success especially relevant is that he's an outfielder who also happens to already be on the Mets' 40-man roster. One area of Puello's game that could benefit from improvement is his ability to draw walks. His OBP is buoyed by an uncanny knack for getting hit by pitches. In fact, since Puello started his pro career back in 2008, his HBP total has exceeded his BB total every year but one, through 2012 (overall 78 HBP, 72 BB). So far in 2013, he's drawn 8 walks and been hit by 5 pitches. The sooner the Mets promote Puello to AAA Las Vegas, the more likely he'll make his Major League debut this year. So that's something worth watching for once the Mets start in on promotion season.
Age: 22
Acquired: 2007-08 International Period
Signing Bonus: $400,000
MLB ETA: 2014 (maybe late 2013)
Honorable Mention:
Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B (A+) - 29 PA, .333/.379/.593, 4 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 SB
Darrell Ceciliani, OF (AA) - 24 PA, .333/.478/.389, 6 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 SB
Wilmer Flores, 2B (AAA) - 26 PA, .250/.308/.458, 3 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K
Cory Vaughn, OF (AA) - 28 PA, .333/.429/.375, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Top Age 27+ Minor Leaguer of the Week
Zach Lutz, CI/OF (AAA) - 25 PA, .381/.480/.571, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 9 K
Prior Weeks
Week 6: Matt Bowman, Cory Vaughn
Week 5: Zack Wheeler, Aderlin Rodriguez
Week 4: Noah Syndergaard, Kevin Plawecki
Week 3: Rafael Montero, Jayce Boyd
Week 2: Jacob deGrom, Brandon Nimmo
Week 1: Rafael Montero, Kevin Plawecki
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