3 METS MINOR LEAGUERS WHO SHOULD HAVE NUMBERS BEGGING FOR AN MLB PROMOTION BUT DON'T

April is unbelievably almost already over. The story of the 2024 New York Mets was, for many, a transitional year where we hardly get to know many of the newcomers before they’re sent packing. As it turns out, the big league team is pretty good.

Plans of focusing on the minor leaguers have fallen to the backburner. Some of those near-MLB ready guys are actually further away from the show than originally expected.

By the time April was over, many were expecting these three to have the kinds of numbers where an MLB promotion couldn’t be denied. Unfortunately, they’ve limped out of the gate and we’ll have to wait a little while longer to see them at Citi Field.

1) Nate Lavender

You either came into the year knowing him or you learned about the lefty in spring training. Whenever he joined your consciousness, you’re eager to see what Nate Lavender can do on a regular basis in blue and orange. He showed plenty in the preseason to earn a spot on the big league roster. Because the Mets were able to load up on other options, he was never a serious consideration.

Lavender practically graduated from Triple-A last year, pitching to a 3.27 ERA in 44 innings of work. Asking the fast-rising relief prospect to do much more is a fool’s errand.

In year two with Syracuse, Lavender hasn’t started off so great. Through 7 innings he had a 3.86 ERA which isn’t bad except for all of the walks. He has 7 of them. Tagged for a pair of home runs as well, Lavender has some areas to work on before getting called up.

The Mets haven’t hesitated to make roster moves this year. The 40-man roster and 26-man roster is constantly changing and so far they’ve ignored Lavender. Instead, they’ve opted for older and more experienced arms. Lavender will eventually get there but he needs to show more.

2) Jose Iglesias

Although not a prospect, Jose Iglesias could very well end up as one of those veterans who starts the year in the minors and ends up on the big league time for a long duration. There was never any real chance for him to make the club out of camp. The light-hitting middle infielder is here more for depth and defense. However, his bat should be able to accomplish a lot at the Triple-A level.

Iglesias has been a high-contact hitter in the majors who can put up decent averages. He does lack home run power but does own several 30+ double campaigns. Most recently he ripped 30 two-base hits in 2022 albeit as a member of the Colorado Rockies most certainly aided by Coors Field.

Iglesias could fit in with the Mets as a replacement on the roster for Zack Short although pulling that trigger might not be so necessary. Short should be able to provide the Mets with better speed on the base paths. Short is probably a little more versatile as a defender. The skills can be up for debate.

Don’t get fooled by any big number or games Iglesias might produce in Triple-A. He is a major league hitter who just happens to lack enough power to earn an everyday job. He has cooled off in the minors, not slashing .250/.294/.354 in his first 51 plate appearances. The Mets will need to see more, or at least have an open spot for him in the majors, before there’s a promotion.

3) Mike Vasil

There are a couple of notable prospects who could be considered for this third spot. Drew Gilbert’s injury got in the way of him doing much of anything. Seemingly healthy yet arguably the least effective pitcher down there is Mike Vasil. It has been an extremely disappointing beginning for him. Has he hit some sort of a Triple-A wall?

Vasil struggled in 16 starts with Syracuse last season, finishing with a 5.30 ERA. Several of the metrics rated well including walks and strikeouts. This year has been much different. The 11.20 ERA in 4 starts with a walk rate of 5.3 per 9 and strikeouts at 6.6 per 9 clearly show something is going haywire. Vasil has surrendered 5 home runs and 23 hits through those first 13.2 innings of work.

Vasil has now fallen behind Christian Scott on everyone’s radar and could soon see some of the other notable pitching prospects overtake him on the depth chart. Teammate Dom Hamel hasn’t been terrific either but with an ERA almost only half as high as Vasil and far more strikeouts in fewer innings, it’s clear who is buried deeper.

Fortunately, the Mets probably weren’t counting on Vasil to do a whole lot this year. They began the year with a bunch of starting pitching options in the minors, having already turned to Jose Butto for a couple of outings. Joey Lucchesi should be next in line for an opportunity.

As for Vasil, he’s in a spot where the 2024 season might be nothing but innings for Syracuse.

This article was originally published on risingapple.com as 3 Mets minor leaguers who should have numbers begging for an MLB promotion but don't.

2024-04-23T10:01:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd