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From today's Ask BA.
Mets
Most teams would be unwilling to trade an elite pitching prospect, but the Giants' desire to make the strongest defense possible of their World Series championship and their confidence in their ability to develop arms led them to deal Wheeler for two months of Beltran. The sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, Wheeler is a 21-year-old righthander who easily delivers fastball in the mid-90s while also showing the potential for a plus curveball and changeup. Like a lot of young pitchers, he needs better command and consistency, but his upside as a frontline starter is undeniable.
Getting Wheeler was a coup for an organization that hasn't had much go right in recent years. One player alone doesn't make a farm system, but the trade for Wheeler is just one of several positives for the Mets on the minor league side. Others include a successful pro debut for 2010 first-rounder Matt Harvey, significant steps forward for Jeurys Familia and Jordan Valdespin, continued strong play from Kirk Nieuwenhuis and the drafting of Brandon Nimmo and Michael Fulmer. Assuming Nimmo signs as expected, I'd predict that the Mets would rank in the 11-15 range when we unveil our farm system rankings in the 2012 Prospect Handbook.
Including Nimmo, who probably won't turn pro until the day of the Aug. 15 signing deadline, here's how I'd update the Mets Top 10:
1. Zack Wheeler, rhp
Not an easy call, but I'm taking Wheeler over Harvey because he has a higher ceiling.
2. Matt Harvey, rhp
Tore up high Class A, has struggled in Double-A during his first pro season.
3. Brandon Nimmo, of
Highest pick ever from Wyoming (No. 13) was one of draft's best athletes.
4. Jeurys Familia, rhp
Still throwing in mid-90s, has improved command after rough 2010 season.
5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, of
Not fair to call him an overachiever when he keeps producing everywhere he goes.
6. Jennry Mejia, rhp
System's No. 1 prospect entering 2011 had Tommy John surgery in May.
7. Cesar Puello, of
Having inconsistent year in high Class A, but still has five-tool potential.
8. Michael Fulmer, rhp
Fastball jumped to mid-90s, slider to mid-80s during high school senior year.
9. Jordany Valdespin, ss/2b
Enjoying breakout year with bat in Double-A, needs more defensive consistency.
10. Wilmer Flores, ss
Left field is best-case defensive scenario, and scouts are losing enthusiasm for his bat.
Astros
With the inclusion of Springer, who should sign by the Aug. 15 deadline, and the exclusion of current big leaguers Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez, the updated Astros Top 10 below doesn't include a single prospect who was in the organization at the start of 2010.
Houston received Singleton, Cosart and Jonathan Villar in the Pence and Roy Oswalt trades with the Phillies; Brett Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens in the Bourn deal with the Braves; and Jimmy Paredes (not to mention big league closer Mark Melancon) in the Lance Berkman trade with the Yankees. The Astros also selected Springer, Mike Foltynewicz and Delino DeShields Jr. in the first round of the last two drafts and signed Ariel Ovando out of the Dominican in 2010.
Houston still is recovering from a series of bad drafts and inactivity in Latin America that left it with the game's thinnest farm system, but at least the team finally recognizes that a complete overhaul will be necessary to one day return to contention.
1. Jonathan Singleton, 1b/of
Should hit for power and average, has higher ceiling than Brett Wallace.
2. Jarred Cosart, rhp
Showed a 96-97 mph fastball, good secondary stuff during Futures Game.
3. George Springer, of
One of the best college athletes to come out of the draft in years.
4. Jonathan Villar, ss
Has plus-plus speed and arm strength, must tone down swing and approach.
5. Brett Oberholtzer, lhp
With three solid-to-plus pitches, profiles as a No. 3 or 4 starter.
6. Paul Clemens, rhp
Has 93-96 mph fastball with sink, may fit best as late-inning reliever.
7. Mike Foltynewicz, rhp
Runs his fastball up to 96 mph, needs better curve to become frontline starter.
8. Delino DeShields Jr., 2b
Loaded with speed and athleticism, but still very raw at age 18.
9. Jimmy Paredes, 2b/3b
Another speedy athlete who needs to refine his approach at the plate.
10. Ariel Ovando, of
His bat and power potential earned him a franchise-record $2.6 million bonus.
Mets
Most teams would be unwilling to trade an elite pitching prospect, but the Giants' desire to make the strongest defense possible of their World Series championship and their confidence in their ability to develop arms led them to deal Wheeler for two months of Beltran. The sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, Wheeler is a 21-year-old righthander who easily delivers fastball in the mid-90s while also showing the potential for a plus curveball and changeup. Like a lot of young pitchers, he needs better command and consistency, but his upside as a frontline starter is undeniable.
Getting Wheeler was a coup for an organization that hasn't had much go right in recent years. One player alone doesn't make a farm system, but the trade for Wheeler is just one of several positives for the Mets on the minor league side. Others include a successful pro debut for 2010 first-rounder Matt Harvey, significant steps forward for Jeurys Familia and Jordan Valdespin, continued strong play from Kirk Nieuwenhuis and the drafting of Brandon Nimmo and Michael Fulmer. Assuming Nimmo signs as expected, I'd predict that the Mets would rank in the 11-15 range when we unveil our farm system rankings in the 2012 Prospect Handbook.
Including Nimmo, who probably won't turn pro until the day of the Aug. 15 signing deadline, here's how I'd update the Mets Top 10:
1. Zack Wheeler, rhp
Not an easy call, but I'm taking Wheeler over Harvey because he has a higher ceiling.
2. Matt Harvey, rhp
Tore up high Class A, has struggled in Double-A during his first pro season.
3. Brandon Nimmo, of
Highest pick ever from Wyoming (No. 13) was one of draft's best athletes.
4. Jeurys Familia, rhp
Still throwing in mid-90s, has improved command after rough 2010 season.
5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, of
Not fair to call him an overachiever when he keeps producing everywhere he goes.
6. Jennry Mejia, rhp
System's No. 1 prospect entering 2011 had Tommy John surgery in May.
7. Cesar Puello, of
Having inconsistent year in high Class A, but still has five-tool potential.
8. Michael Fulmer, rhp
Fastball jumped to mid-90s, slider to mid-80s during high school senior year.
9. Jordany Valdespin, ss/2b
Enjoying breakout year with bat in Double-A, needs more defensive consistency.
10. Wilmer Flores, ss
Left field is best-case defensive scenario, and scouts are losing enthusiasm for his bat.
Astros
With the inclusion of Springer, who should sign by the Aug. 15 deadline, and the exclusion of current big leaguers Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez, the updated Astros Top 10 below doesn't include a single prospect who was in the organization at the start of 2010.
Houston received Singleton, Cosart and Jonathan Villar in the Pence and Roy Oswalt trades with the Phillies; Brett Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens in the Bourn deal with the Braves; and Jimmy Paredes (not to mention big league closer Mark Melancon) in the Lance Berkman trade with the Yankees. The Astros also selected Springer, Mike Foltynewicz and Delino DeShields Jr. in the first round of the last two drafts and signed Ariel Ovando out of the Dominican in 2010.
Houston still is recovering from a series of bad drafts and inactivity in Latin America that left it with the game's thinnest farm system, but at least the team finally recognizes that a complete overhaul will be necessary to one day return to contention.
1. Jonathan Singleton, 1b/of
Should hit for power and average, has higher ceiling than Brett Wallace.
2. Jarred Cosart, rhp
Showed a 96-97 mph fastball, good secondary stuff during Futures Game.
3. George Springer, of
One of the best college athletes to come out of the draft in years.
4. Jonathan Villar, ss
Has plus-plus speed and arm strength, must tone down swing and approach.
5. Brett Oberholtzer, lhp
With three solid-to-plus pitches, profiles as a No. 3 or 4 starter.
6. Paul Clemens, rhp
Has 93-96 mph fastball with sink, may fit best as late-inning reliever.
7. Mike Foltynewicz, rhp
Runs his fastball up to 96 mph, needs better curve to become frontline starter.
8. Delino DeShields Jr., 2b
Loaded with speed and athleticism, but still very raw at age 18.
9. Jimmy Paredes, 2b/3b
Another speedy athlete who needs to refine his approach at the plate.
10. Ariel Ovando, of
His bat and power potential earned him a franchise-record $2.6 million bonus.
