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Evaluating The New York Mets’ Top 10 Prospects Going Into 2016 Spring Training

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Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

After several key prospects made an impact in the big leagues in 2015 and several more were traded, the New York Mets‘ farm system looks drastically different heading into 2016 than it did a year ago. That being said, New York still has plenty of talented prospects, including some who will reach the big leagues in 2016, as well as youngsters who are a few years away but have a high upside. Heading into the 2016 season, here is a look at the Mets’ top 10 prospects.

10. Ali Sanchez, Catcher

Ali Sanchez, Catcher Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports
Sanchez is 19, so he won't be helping the Mets for a few years, but he has great promise both offensively and defensively after making his U.S. debut in 2015. He hit .278 in the Gulf Coast League last year, already shows a good approach at the plate and should grow into some power as he fills out. Sanchez also has good receiving skills and a strong arm behind the plate, making him a player to watch closely over the next few years.

Sanchez is 19, so he won't be helping the Mets for a few years, but he has great promise both offensively and defensively after making his U.S. debut in 2015. He hit .278 in the Gulf Coast League last year, already shows a good approach at the plate and should grow into some power as he fills out. Sanchez also has good receiving skills and a strong arm behind the plate, making him a player to watch closely over the next few years.

9. Desmond Lindsey, Outfield

Desmond Lindsey, Outfield Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports
Lindsay was the Mets' first selection in last year's draft and is another 19-year-old who's years away from the majors. However, he had an impressive pro debut and has the potential to be a five-tool player. He's a player the Mets could look to challenge this year by assigning him to a full-season club as a teenager; he has plenty of talent and will be exciting to watch over the next few years.

Lindsay was the Mets' first selection in last year's draft and is another 19-year-old who's years away from the majors. However, he had an impressive pro debut and has the potential to be a five-tool player. He's a player the Mets could look to challenge this year by assigning him to a full-season club as a teenager; he has plenty of talent and will be exciting to watch over the next few years.

8. Gabriel Ynoa, Pitcher

Gabriel Ynoa, Pitcher Brad Barr - USATODAY Sports
If New York didn't have such a rock solid rotation, Ynoa may be in a position to compete for a spot on the opening day roster. He doesn't project to be anything more than a back-of-the-rotation starter, but Ynoa does have a good repertoire of pitches and excellent control. If the Mets need to dip into their rotation depth the second half of the season, Ynoa will be a good option.

If New York didn't have such a rock solid rotation, Ynoa may be in a position to compete for a spot on the opening day roster. He doesn't project to be anything more than a back-of-the-rotation starter, but Ynoa does have a good repertoire of pitches and excellent control. If the Mets need to dip into their rotation depth the second half of the season, Ynoa will be a good option.

7. Marcos Molina, Pitcher

Marcos Molina, Pitcher Facebook.com/BrooklynCyclones
After a brilliant 2014 season that put him on the Mets' radar, Molina had a lost season in 2015, getting shut down in May and eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery. Molina isn't likely to return until late in 2016, if at all, but he's still young and still has great stuff. On pure talent, Molina is one of the top pitching prospects the Mets have; he just has to get healthy and get back on the mound.

After a brilliant 2014 season that put him on the Mets' radar, Molina had a lost season in 2015, getting shut down in May and eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery. Molina isn't likely to return until late in 2016, if at all, but he's still young and still has great stuff. On pure talent, Molina is one of the top pitching prospects the Mets have; he just has to get healthy and get back on the mound.

6. Wuilmer Becerra, Outfield

Wuilmer Becerra, Outfield Joe Camporeale - USATODAY Sports
The so-called throw-in from the R.A. Dickey trade has turned into a legitimate prospect after hitting .290/.342/.423 in A-ball last season at the age of 20. He won't be in New York for another couple of years, but he has good size at 6-foot-4, good speed and is still growing into his raw power. If he can take another step forward in his development this year, the Mets could have one heck of a "throw-in."

The so-called throw-in from the R.A. Dickey trade has turned into a legitimate prospect after hitting .290/.342/.423 in A-ball last season at the age of 20. He won't be in New York for another couple of years, but he has good size at 6-foot-4, good speed and is still growing into his raw power. If he can take another step forward in his development this year, the Mets could have one heck of a "throw-in."

5. Gavin Cecchini, Shortstop

Gavin Cecchini, Shortstop Getty Images
Cecchini had a breakout year offensively in 2015, hitting .317/.377/.442 at Double-A. He still needs to refine his defense in order to stay at shortstop and avoid a move to second base, but most of his mistakes and shortcomings are fixable. If he can continue to produce offensively the way he did last season and prove himself to be competent defensively, Cecchini may provide a solution for the Mets at shortstop and could push for a big league promotion before the end of 2016.

Cecchini had a breakout year offensively in 2015, hitting .317/.377/.442 at Double-A. He still needs to refine his defense in order to stay at shortstop and avoid a move to second base, but most of his mistakes and shortcomings are fixable. If he can continue to produce offensively the way he did last season and prove himself to be competent defensively, Cecchini may provide a solution for the Mets at shortstop and could push for a big league promotion before the end of 2016.

4. Brandon Nimmo, Outfield

Brandon Nimmo, Outfield Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports
Nimmo should finally make his big league debut in 2016 after finishing the 2015 season in Triple-A. His struggles against lefties could limit him to a platoon role in the majors, but he's solid defensively at all three outfield spots, had a great approach at the plate and looks to finally be growing into his power. At some point in 2016, Nimmo should be ready to contribute to the Mets and should eventually carve out a big league career for himself.

Nimmo should finally make his big league debut in 2016 after finishing the 2015 season in Triple-A. His struggles against lefties could limit him to a platoon role in the majors, but he's solid defensively at all three outfield spots, had a great approach at the plate and looks to finally be growing into his power. At some point in 2016, Nimmo should be ready to contribute to the Mets and should eventually carve out a big league career for himself.

3. Dominic Smith, First Base

Dominic Smith, First Base Kirby Lee - USATODAY Sports
Smith has taken some criticism for his weight and work ethic, but he also hit .305/.354/.417 in advanced-A last year. Considering the fact that he didn't turn 20 until midway through the season and had a terrible April, those numbers are quite impressive. He still needs to show more in-game power, but he's still young and has at least proven himself to be a competent all-around hitter. Smith will start 2016 in Double-A, and with a good season he could be on the cusp of the majors a year from now.

Smith has taken some criticism for his weight and work ethic, but he also hit .305/.354/.417 in advanced-A last year. Considering the fact that he didn't turn 20 until midway through the season and had a terrible April, those numbers are quite impressive. He still needs to show more in-game power, but he's still young and has at least proven himself to be a competent all-around hitter. Smith will start 2016 in Double-A, and with a good season he could be on the cusp of the majors a year from now.

2. Amed Rosario, Shortstop

Amed Rosario, Shortstop Anthony Gruppuso - USATODAY Sports
Rosario held his own in advanced-A as a 19-year-old in 2015, and he has the biggest upside of any Mets prospect. His minor league numbers aren't all that impressive, but his raw ability is incredible. Rosario has a nice 6-foot-2 frame to grow into, lightning-quick bat speed and many believed he was the best defensive shortstop in the Florida State League last year. At some point, Rosario needs to have a breakout offensive year, but he's still young so the Mets can afford to be patient with him considering his upside.

Rosario held his own in advanced-A as a 19-year-old in 2015, and he has the biggest upside of any Mets prospect. His minor league numbers aren't all that impressive, but his raw ability is incredible. Rosario has a nice 6-foot-2 frame to grow into, lightning-quick bat speed and many believed he was the best defensive shortstop in the Florida State League last year. At some point, Rosario needs to have a breakout offensive year, but he's still young so the Mets can afford to be patient with him considering his upside.

1. Steven Matz, Pitcher

Steven Matz, Pitcher Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports
Even after making three postseason starts, Matz still has rookie eligibility in 2016 and is considered a prospect. Obviously, he won't have prospect status for long, as he'll be part of the Mets' starting rotation this season. If he pitches like he did during his brief time in the big leagues last season, Matz will be a favorite for Rookie of the Year in 2016 and a key part of New York's pitching staff for years to come.

Even after making three postseason starts, Matz still has rookie eligibility in 2016 and is considered a prospect. Obviously, he won't have prospect status for long, as he'll be part of the Mets' starting rotation this season. If he pitches like he did during his brief time in the big leagues last season, Matz will be a favorite for Rookie of the Year in 2016 and a key part of New York's pitching staff for years to come.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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