2. Mark Vientos, 3B/SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/11/1999 (18)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Mets, Kingsport Mets
2017 Stats: .262/.318/.398, 211 PA, 4 HR, 15/46 BB/K
Info: In personal bias, Vientos very possibly was my favorite player in the 2017 draft class. That the New York Mets were able to snag him with a 2nd round pick is simply a steal and could end up being an answer to long-term issues in the system at third base.
Vientos was the youngest player chosen in the first two days of the draft, not even turning 18 until December. He was one of the most talked-about players of the 2016 showcase circuit, however, as he was an impressive physical figure at 6’4″ with plenty of sculpt to his frame.
That physical frame leads many to assume that he’s going to eventually move off of shortstop because he’s already a below-average runner and relies on instincts and elite hands to succeed at short, but he did show well in his pro debut. He could be played at short for a while. Heck, Miguel Cabrera played shortstop all the way to the major leagues.
Vientos has a definite plus hit tool, with an impressive ability to contact the ball throughout the zone, and he’s flashed plus power, showing even more power in his pro debut than his high school senior season. With that offensive upside and the ability to be a possible elite defender at third down the line, the New York Mets should be very happy with Vientos, likely getting their first look at him in full-season ball this year.
1. Andres Gimenez, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/4/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Columbia Fireflies
2017 Stats: .265/.346/.349, 399 PA, 4 HR, 14 SB, 28/61 BB/K
Info: Another one of the New York Mets signings of the top prospects in an international market, Gimenez was ranked 2nd in the 2015 international market. He then came out in the Dominican Summer League and dominated in his first pro season in 2016.
(Gimenez) was one of the youngest in the South Atlantic League, but was able to show well in spite of that
The Mets jumped Gimenez up to full-season ball from the DSL, and he was one of the youngest in the South Atlantic League, but was able to show well in spite of that.
Gimenez may not be built like a typical shortstop, with a lower-half build, but he has excellent first step quickness and instincts along with tremendous body control and fringe-plus range. He projects to stick at short or be a premium second baseman if he does have to move.
The stick is where there are more questions still to answer with Gimenez’s left-handed swing receiving mixed reviews, with some seeing an empty contact-oriented approach out of his swing, and some seeing eventually Gimenez developing gap power and possibly 10-15 home run power, though not likely a major speed guy either, likely maxing out at 15-20 stolen bases either.
Gimenez showed enough in an injury-riddled season to show the New York Mets that he’s ready for high-A in 2018.
Next: Newcomers to watch