When (and if) the 2020 Major League Baseball season starts, all teams will have pools of 60 players to choose from. Out of these 60 players, teams are allowed a 30 man daily roster, to start the season.
The New York Mets 30 man daily roster shouldn’t hold too many surprises. There will be some decision on what relief pitchers to bring, as well as who the 2nd and 3rd catchers will be.
The Mets 60 man roster does have some interesting and exciting possibilities. The Mets could fill out a complete lineup this this season, with completely home grown players.
And that team would be pretty competitive. Let’s take a look:
The 2020 New York Mets homegrown lineup
SP: Jacob deGrom (RHP)
Steven Matz (LHP)
RP: Seth Lugo
C: Ali Sanchez
1B: Pete Alonso
2B: Andres Gimenez
3B: Jeff McNeil
SS: Amed Rosario
LF: Dominic Smith
CF: Brandon Nimmo
RF: Michael Conforto
How they became Mets:
Jacob deGrom was drafted by the New York Mets in the 9th round of the 2010 mlb draft. Out of Stetson university, deGrom has already complied a career WAR of 35.5, and could be the first Mets homegrown player to reach the Hall of Fame since Tom Seaver
The New York Mets don’t need a Tom Seaver statue
The year before the Mets drafted deGrom, they took Ward Melville High schooler Steven Matz, in the 2nd round. With a career bWAR of 8.0, Matz’s most memorial game was his debut, in June, 2015. He went 3-3 at the plate, with 4 RBIs, as he pitched the Mets to a 7-2 win.
“In August 2017, Rosario was declared the top prospect in baseball, by writer Keith Law”
Ali Sanchez -catcher, was signed out of Venezuela in 2013, for a very nice $690,000. He’s a defense first catcher, with 60 grades for his arm and his fielding. In any other season, he would start in AAA, as his bat is still developing. But this unique season could give the Mets a chance to see just how good Sanchez is behind the dish, in a limited role.
Pete Alonso was a 2nd round pick for the Mets, in 2016, from the University of Florida. Last season (bWAR: 5.2), the Polar Bear had a rookie season players dream about. He won not only the Rookie of the Year, but also won the home run derby during the All Star break, and led the majors in total homers.
Starting at second base, for our 2020 home grown NY Mets, is infielder Andres Gimenez. He was signed in 2015, from Venezuela, for $1.2 million. While Gimenez’s bat is still developing, most scouts say he could handle MLB level defense at short stop right now. His bat is picking up as well. After finishing the regular season strong in 2019, Gimenez lead the Arizona Fall league in batting average at .371.
Scouting grades/report (20-80 grading scale) Hit 55 Run 60 Field 60 power 40 Arm 60 overall 55
“Scouts are more enthusiastic than ever about Gimenez’s chances of becoming a regular after his strong finish in 2019” -MLB.com
Jeff McNeil was the Mets 12th round pick way back in 2013. The now 28 year old battled various injuries in college and in the minors. His 2019 bWAR of 4.9 put in 3rd on the Mets, behind deGrom and Alonso. McNeil also has an impressive .383 career OBP. He’s under team control through 2024.
Amed Rosario-short stop. The Mets signed Rosario to a then team record $1.75 contract as an international free agent in 2012. In 2019, he slashed .287/.323/.432. He had 19 stolen bases and led the league by getting caught stealing 10 times. He had the lowest pull percentage (30.4%) out of all qualified National league batters. His -16 defensive runs saved was also the lowest number for all NL short stops. He is under team control through 2023.
“The Mets 60 man roster does have some interesting and exciting possibilities. The Mets could fill out a complete lineup this this season, with completely home grown players.“
Dominic Smith is a first baseman. But he has shown to be at least semi competent in left field. He should see time at 1B, LF and designated hitter for the 2020 NY Mets. Smith was drafted in the first round (11th overall) in 2013 out of Junipero Serra high school in Gardena, California. Most of Dominic Smith’s lack in production (bWar: career: -0.7; 2019: 0.7) comes from a lack of playing time. That could change in 2020, especially with the introduction of the designated hitter rule for the National League. 2019 saw Smith elevate himself to near Wilmer Flores levels, in the eyes of many Mets fans. First, with his on field celebrations, complete with his scooter, while he was on the injured list, then his walk off home run in the Mets final game of 2019.
Brandon Nimmo -Center Field
Nimmo was another first round (13th overall) high school draft by the New York Mets. From East High School in Cheyenne Wyoming, Nimmo made his career debut in 2016. He’s complied a career bWAR of 6.2. His real strength has been getting on base, with a solid .387 career OBP. Nimmo, 27, is under team control through 2022.
Michael Conforto– The Mets right fielder was the 10th overall pick in the 2014 mlb draft. He became the 1000 player in Mets team history when he made his debate in 2015. That year, he also became only the 3rd player to compete in the Little League World Series, the College World Series, and the MLB World Series. With a career bWAR of 12.4, Conforto is under control through the 2021 season.
Seth Lugo– We are closing things out with the Mets home grown relief pitcher. Lugo emerged as the most reliable member of the bullpen, over the last few years. He was drafted in the 34th round, back in 2011, from Centenary College of Louisiana. He debuted for the Mets on July 1st, 2016. His career WAR is 7.4, with an ERA+ of 122 and a career FIP of 3.50. Seth Lugo is under team control through the 2022 season.
The 2020 Major League Baseball season-all 60 games of it- is going to be like something we have never seen before. But in today’s MLB, teams need strong farm systems, that consistently produce major league talent. In 2020, the New York Mets can field a very competitive, entire lineup of home grown players. That is something we are very excited to see this season.
Here’s to a fun and successful (and safe!!) 2020 NY Mets baseball season
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