It’s time to update my Top 20 Mets prospects list entering the 2023 MLB season.
If you are looking for an overarching look at the system beyond just the Top 20, be sure to check out my state of the Mets’ system. I look at this system as one that is improving but will need some of the lower minors’ prospects to establish themselves with the pending graduations of the likes of Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and — possibly at some point this year — Ronny Mauricio.
Without further ado, here is my updated Top 20…
20. RHP Bryce Montes de Oca
Montes de Oca will miss some time to start the season due to a stress reaction in his elbow. But when he is on the mound, he has some of the most unique stuff of any reliever in baseball. He is up to 102 mph, with horizontal break that can exceed 20 inches. One of his pitches this spring was 101 mph with 21 inches of horizontal break, and there was not a single fastball thrown in the majors in 2022 that matched those numbers — and that is counting 400,000 fastballs.
He needs to remain healthy and control the strike zone. But if he does — with his sinker, cutter and slider — he has a chance to be a legitimate eighth inning type of reliever. Given his big league readiness and potential, that warrants a spot in my top 20.
MLB ETA: Already debuted
19. OF Simon Juan
The Mets’ top signing in the 2022 international free agent class, who signed for $1.9 million, is someone the Mets think of in the same light that they did Alex Ramirez at 16 years old. Juan has a projectable build and potential to show some of all the five tools. He struggled in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League with a .633 OPS, but there is still sky-high upside here, and he should move stateside this year.
MLB ETA: 2027
18. RHP Layonel Ovalles
Ovalles is one of my breakout candidates for this year. He struggled upon being promoted to Low-A St. Lucie, but the stuff is really intriguing. He has a fastball that will touch 97 mph with spin rates in the 2,700 rpm range, which gives hope that it can be a true plus pitch. His slider gets a lot of swings and misses, but he needs development with his curve and changeup. He bounced between starting and relief in 2022, but the Mets plan to push him as a starter in 2023. If he can really begin to refine his stuff, he could be someone who jumps up this list next year.
MLB ETA: 2025