Scouts And Evaluators On New Mets Prospects
When the New York Mets traded Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the trade deadline, they did more than admit the team would not win in 2023. They also revitalized their farm system, which has taken a significant hit after promoting Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos from prospect status.
Many have given the Mets credit for taking this bold change of course. We have also seen articles from Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post and Will Sammon of The Athletic with talent evaluators. Here is the synopsis of how each player obtained is regarded:
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Luisangel Acuña, 2B/SS/CF
2023 Stats: (Double-A) .312/.374/.447, 25 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 42 SB, 5 CS
Obtained: Max Scherzer Trade
New York Mets farm director Kevin Howard said, “He can run. He makes good swing decisions. I think he’s arguably one of the best hitters in the organization just stepping in the door.” (New York Post).
An evaluator told Sammon, “Acuña is a very likable prospect. A year from now, he can be a real dude. He’s not one yet. He’s a good one. But it’s not like a wow-kind-of-guy yet. This time next year, Acuña can be an untouchable guy.”
Luisangel Acuña picked up his first hit in the Mets system on Wednesday.
He went 1-for-3 with a walk in his second game.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 3, 2023
MMO Synopsis: Acuña appears to be the top prospect in the Mets farm system after the trade was consummated. Like with Ronny Mauricio, the team will have to find a home for him, with Francisco Lindor entrenched in shortstop for the long term.
Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF
2023 Stats: (Low-A/High-A) .291/.399/.520, 16 2B, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 4 SB, 2 CS
Obtained: Justin Verlander Trade
Howard said of Clifford, “We didn’t really have his skill set — a guy with that kind of power who’s also a good hitter.” (New York Post).
A talent evaluator said to Sammon, “Clifford has a high baseball IQ and you can tell he has played a lot of baseball for his age. Impressive presence and demeanor.”
Ryan Clifford (Justin Verlander trade) had a huge debut in the Mets system with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones:
2-for-3, HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
The 20-year-old has 19 home runs on the season.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 4, 2023
MMN Synopsis: Clifford could now very well be the most advanced and promising hitter in the Mets farm system. He showed us a glimpse of what he could be homering in his first at-bat as a member of the Mets organization.
Drew Gilbert, OF
2023 Stats: (High-A/Double-A) .274/.363/.458, 19 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 38 RBI, 10 SB, 3 CS
Obtained: Justin Verlander Trade
Howard told Sanchez, Gilbert was the “No. 1 prospect in their organization. Speaks for itself.”
A scout told Sammon, Gilbert “Has good swing decisions and makes contact. The power unlock is still in progress, but he is a hard worker and the more he adjusts to the professional level, I’m sure there’s more in the tank.”
Top-ranked @astros prospect Drew Gilbert unleashes on this baseball!
Houston's 2022 first-rounder is up to a dozen dingers this year — including six for the @cchooks: pic.twitter.com/GYCc2mFCjN
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 29, 2023
MMN Synopsis: Gilbert had been tabbed as the center fielder of the future for the Houston Astros, and it will be interesting to see if he is that for the Mets. More than any trade, Gilbert filled an organizational need as the Mets did not have top outfield prospects in the upper levels of their farm system.
Ronald Hernandez, C
2023 Stats: (FCL) .288/.467/.432, 5 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 26 RBI 4 SB
Obtained: David Robertson Trade
A scout told Sammon, Hernandez has “the makings of a field general.”
MMN Synopsis: Even with the presence of Álvarez and Kevin Parada, the Mets were smart not focus on position and rather, get the best possible prospect they could get. Hernandez profiles as a complete catcher down the road, which is something any organization can use.
Jeremiah Jackson, RHP
2023 Stats: (Double-A) .248/.321/.447, 15 2B, 3B, 15 HR, 56 RBI, 21 SB, 7 CS
Obtained: Dominic Leone Trade
In obtaining a second-round pick Eppler made when he was still the GM of the Los Angeles Angels, on this addition and the entirety of the trade deadline, Howard said, “I think the infield is where we bolstered the most.” (New York Post).
Jeremiah Jackson has tied the Trash Pandas all-time franchise lead in homers with his 29th! pic.twitter.com/m5eJ37ssiV
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 29, 2023
MMN Synopsis: The Mets signed Leone after he was released by the Texas Rangers, and they were able to turn him into perhaps a future utility player at the major league level. Jackson was the Angels’ No. 18 prospect, according to the Baseball America midseason update.
Justin Jarvis, RHP
2023 Stats: (Double-A/Triple-A) 6-6, 4.33 ERA, 1.420 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 10.5 K/9
Obtained: Mark Canha Trade
A talent evaluator said to Sammon, Jarvis’ “fastball has obviously always been his bread and butter but he’s become a really well-rounded pitcher.”
Mets are getting right-handed pitching prospect Justin Jarvis from the Brewers for Mark Canha.
The 23-year-old starter has a 4.33 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings over 17 starts between AA/AAA.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 31, 2023
MMN Synopsis: Jarvis will need to be added to the roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, which we should expect the Mets to do. He provides the Mets with starting pitching depth next year. He may also be someone who could fill the role once held by Trevor Williams and Seth Lugo years before him.
Jeremy Rodriguez, SS
2023 Stats: (DSL) .246/.363/.377, 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 SB, 5 CS
Obtained: Tommy Pham Trade
Paternostro told Sanchez, “They used Tommy Pham to get a seven-figure IFA [international free agent] signing from this year.”
MMN Synopsis: This is just the type of trade that usually happens to the Mets. They got a top 50 IFA prospect from the past year in exchange for Pham, who was having a surprise bounce-back year.
Marco Vargas, SS/2B
2023 Stats: (FCL) .284/.449/.425, 11 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 9 SB, 2 CS
Obtained: David Robertson Trade
Jeffrey Paternostro of Baseball Prospect said, “He has some of the best contact rates and swing decisions in the low minors right now.” (New York Post)
The quote a scout gave Sammons about Vargas was “talent over pure tools.”
Thrilled to have this guy in the orange & blue ????
Marco Vargas had 3 hits in his organization debut, including this RBI knock (96 EV) in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/1pduXf1XVP
— Florida Complex League Mets (@FCLMets) July 31, 2023
MMN Synopsis: In Vargas, the Mets obtained a prospect who appears to be on the verge of being a top-100 prospect. He brings an advanced approach to the plate, which will suit him well no matter what position he eventually lands in his career.
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