Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #31-40

For an overview of the process I use to grade players, the factors I use in determining where a player ranks, and other frequently asked questions, please click here. All grades are subject to change.You can find a full listing of the Top 50 Prospects of 2010 Archive Page. I will be releasing the rest of the list soon.

31. Francisco Pena | C | LoA | Age – 20 | Drafted – IFA 2006 (C)

Continues to remind me of Bengie Molina except he is not as good or as talented.  So pretty much a very very big body behind the plate.  I am not a big fan of Pena, but he is still young so I guess there is still some hope, but not enough for me.  Strikes out too much, doesn’t walk enough, and doesn’t make enough contact.

Perfect World Projection – MLB Catcher

More Likely Outcome – Career Minor Leaguer

32. Shawn Bowman | 3B | AA | Age – 25 | Drafted – 12th Round 2002 (C)

Former top prospect who has been destroyed by back injuries.  When healthy he has shown good power and defense.  His defense alone could net him a spot on a big league roster one day.

Perfect World Projection – Average MLB 3rd Baseman

More Likely Outcome – Bench player used for defense

33. Darrell  Ceciliani | CF | Rk | Age – 19 | Drafted – 4th Round 2009 (C)

Was compared to a poor man’s Jacoby Ellsbury on draft day and showed way in his brief stint in the minors with 14 stolen bases.  Was unlucky, especially for someone with his speed, so I certainly expect his average to go up.  Also showed pretty good defense with 4 outfield assists.

Perfect World Projection – Starting center field leadoff hitter who creates havoc with his speed

More Likely Outcome – 4th outfielder

34. Richard Lucas | 3B | LoA | Age – 21 | Drafted – 4th Round 2007 (C)

Big kid with pretty good power started to put it together a little bit last year.  Biggest issue is the strikeout which he count down on a lot last year, but still needs refinement.

Perfect World Projection – Starting 3rd baseman

More Likely Outcome – Organization guy

35. Sean Ratliff | OF | HiA | Age – 23 | Drafted – 4th Round 2008 (C)

He doesn’t have a pretty swing, but I still liked his stroke even with the slight uppercut.  He looks good defensively in right or left field and has a really strong arm which is probably his best asset.  Strikes out way too much and needs to walk more or else he’ll flame out soon.

Perfect World Projection – Borderline starting outfielder

More Likely Outcome – AAAA Slugger

36. Eddie Kunz | RP | AAA | Age – 24 | Drafted – 1st Round Supp. 2007 (C)

Kunz has fallen out of favor with me and I don’t see too much to like.  His fastball has lost sink, his slider has flattened out, and he is still in awful shape.  He is here on pedigree alone.

Perfect World Projection – Middle relief pitcher

More Likely Outcome – AAA Closer

37. Nick Santomauro | RF | Rk | Age – 21 | Drafted – 10th Round 2009 (C)

I feel like I am ranking him too low here.  He is a person favorite and sleeper for 2010.  He is super athletic and looked better than his stats say.  He has great power and does a good job walking if he can cut down on the strikeouts he will be golden.

Perfect World Projection – MLB outfielder

More Likely Outcome – 4th outfielder

38. Nelfi Zapata | C | Rk | Age – 19 | Drafted – 19th Round 2009 (C)

Got off to a hot start and then cooled off a lot.  Has great power that can be seen from his videos in his power showcases.  Looks like a good catching prospect moving forward.

Perfect World Projection – MLB catcher

More Likely Outcome – Power bat off the bench

39. Scott Shaw | SP | HiA | Age – 23 | Drafted – 13th Round 2008 (C)

Gets a bit overlooked because of his lack of plus stuff, but is a solid pitching prospect.  He is able to command a complete arsenal of pitches that he can throw for strikes.  Crucial year for Shaw in 2010.

Perfect World Projection – #5 Starter

More Likely Outcome – Relief pitcher or AAA pitcher

40. James Fuller | SP | Rk | Age – 22 | Drafted – 21st Round 2008 (C)

Undersized lefty who has a good somewhat power arsenal and racks up the K’s and GB’s.  If he is moved back to the pen he can move quickly through the organization and make an impact out of the pen.  Real bulldog on the mound.

Perfect World Projection – LOOGY

More Likely Outcome – LOOGY

Related posts:

1. Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #41-50
2. Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #21-30
3. Mets Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 11-20
4. Mets Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 1-10
5. 2011 Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 11-20