6. Peter Alonso, 1B
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/7/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A St. Lucie Mets, AA Binghamton Mets
2017 Stats: .289/.359/.524, 393 PA, 18 HR, 3 SB, 27/71 BB/K
Info: Many were curious whether Alonso’s prodigious collegiate power would translate to pro ball. That, and his defensive weaknesses even at first base, dropped him to the 2nd round for the New York Mets in the 2016 draft, where they were happy to take the risk.
The glove has not advanced much at all, which is why he remains in this spot on this list as he’s a likely DH in the system of a National League team. He committed 19 errors in 2017 at first base, and not on difficult throws or stretches, typically on bobbling easy, routine plays that any major league first baseman is going to be expected to make 100% of the time. However, the bat has more than shown its worth.
Alonso led the Florida State league in home runs, a fairly impressive feat in a tough hitting environment. He has double-plus raw power and scouts are not in total agreement on his contact tool, but the general consensus is that he’s got a chance to have at least an above average hit tool to go with the power due to his selectivity at the plate.
Along with his defense, Alonso has shown some worries in his splits at the plate, with a combined .770 OPS against right handed pitchers over his two pro seasons and a 1.166 OPS against left handed pitching. He will need to answer those questions as he gets his first taste of upper level ball this year in AA.
5. Thomas Szapucki, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/12/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Columbia Fireflies
2017 Stats: 6 GS, 29 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.5% BB, 22.9% K
Info: When he’s on the mound, there may not be a pitcher who looks better in the New York Mets system than Szapucki. Keeping him on the mound has been the problem, and it will be the issue through the 2018 season as he had Tommy John surgery in July of 2017 that will keep him out all year.
When he’s on the mound, there may not be a pitcher who looks better in the New York Mets system than Szapucki
Szapucki has a tough arm angle for hitters to pick up as he throws from a low 3/4 slot, sometimes dipping near sidearm for effect, not seemingly due to a lost release point as the timing is intentional. His fastball sits 92-93 and can run up to 96 with unique movement due to that arm angle, spinning it to the right-handed batter’s box in a sweeping, sinking movement in the lower velocity registers, and seemingly spinning “backward” (as told to me by an opponent in 2017) when tossed up in the zone at the top end of his velocity.
He also uses a slider with some significant break to it as well and shows the ability to control a change, though his arm deception on the pitch is currently below average, which leaves the pitch less effective.
By many evaluators standards, Szapucki was headed toward a top half of the top-100 lists sort of season, likely ranking as the top New York Mets prospect, certainly the “next big arm” in the Mets lineage before the TJS. Now it will be 2019 before we get to see how he responds and comes back.
Next: #3 and #4