The New York Mets are enjoying a solid 2021 season so far.
Through two months, the team is sitting atop the National League East with a 29-24 record.
Mets fans have suffered through four straight miserable seasons, but the club may be on its way to its first playoff appearance since 2016.
That’s just one of two reasons why Mets fans should be optimistic about the trajectory of the franchise.
The other reason has more to do with future seasons, and it’s the fact that New York’s farm system has a couple of players with exceptionally high ceilings.
Although the Mets’ minor-league system on the whole doesn’t measure up particularly well against others, New York does have some standout prospects that deserve attention.
In this article, we’ll be discussing two Mets prospects who—if they pan out—could become stars in this league.
2. Brett Baty – 3B/DH
Brett Baty currently ranks fourth in the Mets’ farm system according to MLB.com, and for good reason.
Baty is full of potential and has shown it at every turn.
Between rookie ball and Low-A ball in 2019, Baty posted a slash line of .234/.368/.452 over 51 games.
If that batting average worries you, don’t let it—you’ll see why in a minute.
The on-base and slugging percentages were very encouraging signs that season, and those signs have translated into sustained success this season.
Keep in mind that there was no minor-league season in 2020, so this year is the first time we’ve seen Baty since that 2019 campaign.
And over 24 games this season, Batty has a ridiculous .369 batting average and 1.071 OPS.
Another home run from Brett Baty.
For the month of June, Brett Baty is batting .524 (11-21) with seven runs scored, two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI. He has also walked five times and has a .615 on-base percentage. #amazinstartshere pic.twitter.com/mbcRJ3nglI
— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) June 6, 2021
His overall athleticism is his biggest strength, but perhaps the most exciting element of Baty’s game is the fact that he may be ready for the Majors as soon as next season.
1. Francisco Alvarez – C/DH
At 19, what Francisco Alvarez is doing at the minor-league level is borderline unfathomable.
Alvarez came over from Venezuela to pursue a career in MLB.
The Mets won his sweepstakes, and the results so far have looked extremely promising.
In rookie ball in 2019, a 17-year-old Alvarez batted .312 with a .916 OPS over 42 games.
He hit seven homers and 10 doubles.
Again, there was no minor-league season in 2020, but Alvarez is back this season like he never missed a beat.
Over 25 games at the Single-A level, he is managing a massive .354 batting clip and an eye-opening 1.071 OPS.
He has four homers and seven doubles over 25 games.
Most projections expect Alvarez to be big-league ready by 2023, at which point he will be 21 years old.
Alvarez is an extremely raw talent right now, but he is showing flashes of superstar potential.
Francisco Álvarez — the @Mets' No. 1 prospect — swats his third homer this season, first with Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/9QrUPdduIS
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 2, 2021
He is currently the top prospect in New York’s system according to MLB.com.
Wrap-Up
Baty and Alvarez have similar ETAs, which means that the duo could ultimately become core pieces of the organization’s success several years down the road.
That’s an exciting thought.
Things don’t always go to plan—these players could not pan out as expected or be involved in a trade at some point—but for the time being, Baty and Alvarez represent an exciting future in New York.
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