Assessing Performance of New York Mets' Prospects In Arizona Fall League

By Bryan Zarpentine

Assessing Performance of New York Mets' Prospects in Arizona Fall League

Mets Prospects AFL
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

One of the most notable baseball winter leagues, the Arizona Fall League, has reached its conclusion after a month of competitive action involving many of the top prospects in the game. The New York Mets had eight of their prospects participate in the league, including several notable prospects with big league futures. Here’s an assessment of how the eight Mets prospects performed in the AFL.

8. Dario Alvarez, Pitcher

Dario Alvarez Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

8. Dario Alvarez, Pitcher

Dario Alvarez Mets
Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports

Alvarez had a brief stint in the AFL, throwing just 9.1 innings and putting up a 6.75 ERA. What we learned from this is that Alvarez is probably not ready to compete for a spot on the big league roster in spring training, despite getting a September call-up. If the Mets need an extra roster spot this offseason, Alvarez could be a casualty; otherwise he'll get more seasoning in the minors and another shot in the majors later in 2015.

7. Jake Kuebler, Pitcher

Mets Prospect3
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

7. Jake Kuebler, PItcher

Mets Prospect3
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

Kuebler was a late addition to the Mets' AFL contingent, joining midway through the season and only pitching 5.1 innings. As a former catcher, Kuebler needs all the reps he can get, and while he doesn't throw that hard, his arm angle may give him a chance to become a righty specialist down the line -- although it'll take more than five innings in the AFL to get him there.

6. Julian Hilario, Pitcher

Mets Prospect2
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

6. Julian Hilario, Pitcher

Mets Prospect2
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Hilario got off to a strong start in the AFL, but he eventually had a few rough outings that led to a 5.06 ERA. Although in a small sample size, his WHIP was considerably lower than it was during the regular season. The AFL was good preparation for Hilario for Double-A, where he'll start in 2015, but he'll need to show more consistency from one appearance to the next without giving up a disastrous inning every now and then.

5. L.J. Mazzilli, Second Base

L.J. Mazzilli
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

5. L.J. Mazzilli, Second Base

L.J. Mazzilli
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

Lee's son followed up a strong 2014 regular season with an impressive performance in the AFL, hitting a line of .306/.433/.469 with five extra-base hits in 49 at-bats. Those kinds of numbers in the AFL indicate that Mazzilli is more than ready to start 2015 in Double-A, and it may not take long for him to push for a promotion to Triple-A. Of course, the Mets have a few other second basemen who could block his promotion to Triple-A.

4. Paul Sewald, Pitcher

Paul Sewald
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

4. Paul Sewald, Pitcher

Paul Sewald
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

After finishing the season in Double-A, Sewald had a disappointing performance in the AFL, putting up an ERA of 7.59 in 10.2 innings. To be fair, Sewald did strike out 17, which was nice to see, but he gave up at least one run in six of his nine outings. He was a marginal prospect heading into the AFL season, and Sewald didn't do anything to change that perception.

3. Matt Reynolds, Shortstop

Matt Reynolds
Mark J. Reblias - USATODAY Sports

3. Matt Reynolds, Shortstop

Matt Reynolds
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

After a great regular season, Reynolds put up somewhat marginal numbers in the AFL, with a line of .234/.326/.442. He did hit three home runs and nine extra-base hits in 77 at-bats, but that could have been a product of his environment. Despite the modest numbers, the experience of playing in the AFL will help his development and make him better prepared to make his MLB debut at some point in 2015.

2. Rob Whalen, Pitcher

Mets Prospect1
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

2. Rob Whalen, Pitcher

Mets Prospect1
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Whalen was expected to struggle in the AFL, and in 18.1 innings he had an ERA of 6.87. To be fair, three of Whalen's six starts in the AFL were solid outings, but the other three were starts in which he struggled. The AFL did get Whalen's innings count close to 90 for the season, which was important after missing so much of 2014 due to injury. Facing advanced hitters with some success will have him ready to succeed in 2015.

1. Brandon Nimmo, Outfield

Brandon Nimmo
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

1. Brandon Nimmo, Outfield

Brandon Nimmo
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

Nimmo got off to a strong start in the AFL before going into a slump and finishing with a line of .203/.306/.238, which may have been a result of him tiring out after a long season. His power was down and his strikeouts were up, which are both indicative of fatigue. While the numbers were disappointing, they shouldn't change his standing as one of the Mets' top prospects. He's a player who could get to the majors by next September.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like