Fan Graphs: Mets Top Prospect List Released

This morning the guys over at Fan Graphs released their 2014 Top Ten Prospects:  New York Mets.  The list was as follows:

1) Noah Syndergaard (SP)
2) Travis d'Arnaud (C)
3) Dominic Smith (1B)
4) Amed Rosario (SS)
5) Rafael Montero (SP)
6) Kevin Plawecki (C)
7) Jake DeGrom (SP)
8) Steve Marz (SP)
9) Gavin Cecchini (SS)
10) Wilmer Flores (3B)

Honorable Mention:
11) Dilson Herrera (2B)
12) Michael Fulmer (SP)
13) Domingo Tapia (RP)
14) Brandon Nimmo (OF)
15) Vic Black (RP)

I always feel its important to remind people that these lists are based on projections of future development and not how "good" or "bad" a player is right now.

The first two on the list are no-brainers, each coming by way of the RA Dickey trade, as it stands to reason that both Syndergaard and d'Arnaud will have a significant impact on the 2014 campaign for the Mets.  Three others mentioned in the article who could play a part for the big league club this season are Rafael Montero and Jake DeGrom who figures to battle for the fifth spot in the rotation, and also Vic Black who could be the closer out of camp if Bobby Parnell isn't ready to go.

Was far as the youngsters go, this is Dominic Smith's first time on any prospect list, having been drafted last June, he excelled in his short tour of duty in the minors. Amed Rosario is likely the name most Mets fans don't know.  He's young and still years away from Citi Field, but stands to be the Mets best infield prospect since Jose Reyes.

The most alarming thing I see on the list is that Brandon Nimmo checks in all the way down at 14.  The Mets used their first round pick to draft Nimmo, who hadn't even played high school ball and had already suffered a pretty significant knee injury.  It was a risky pick at the time, and one that may not work out if he continues to struggle.  That said, its still very early for he and most of the other names you see above. 

Whats important is that the Mets do have guys in their system now who will eventually make an impact at the big league level.  That alone is an improvement over years past, and will prove important to Sandy Alderson's pursuit of sustainable success on a budget.