New York Mets

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Hamel returned to Dallas Baptist for a fourth collegiate season when he went undrafted in the five-round 2020 draft. His fortune improved in 2021 after he ranked ninth in Division I with 136 strikeouts and was drafted 81st overall. Hamel earned Mets organization pitcher of the year honors in 2022, when he pitched his way to High-A Brooklyn and led the system with 10 wins, 145 strikeouts and a 1.15 WHIP.

Scouting Report: Hamel pitches with a modern fastball. He releases the ball from a low attack angle with plus riding life. He throws a high rate of strikes with his low-90s four-seamer that topped at 95 mph and drew a high rate of swinging strikes from Class A hitters. He holds his velocity deep into starts and is mindful of baserunners, who attempted just eight stolen bases in 2022. Hamel's low-80s slider grades as above-average based on its tight spin, and he commands the pitch to both sides of the plate. He also throws a curveball that has shape but lacks power. Hamel has developed his changeup into a usable third pitch, which helped him push his strikeout rate from 26% in the first half to 33% in the second.

The Future: Hamel will be 24 as he embarks on his first season in the upper minors. With continued health and performance, he is an MLB debut candidate in 2023 or 2024. Unless he finds more velocity, he probably fits best as a No. 5 starter or quality reliever.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 40. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: An arm injury shut down Vasil as a Boston high school senior in 2018, so he withdrew from the draft and headed to Virginia. He never really launched in three collegiate seasons but attracted the Mets' interest in the eighth round in 2021. Vasil logged just 71 innings in 2022 as he dealt with bone spurs in his elbow, though he returned for the Arizona Fall League and looked sharp in 15.1 innings.

Scouting Report: Vasil throws four pitches for strikes and used them to stymie Class A hitters in 2022, drawing whiff rates of 25% or better with all four. No individual pitch type grades as plus, but he mixes and matches to good effect. Vasil sits 94 mph and topped out at 98, using his four-seamer up in the zone and his secondary pitches down. His low-80s curveball is his best pitch and features 12-to-6 bite and good depth. His slider has average potential and is thrown in the high 80s with more break and up to 92 mph as more of a cutter. He made strides commanding his mid-80s changeup that flashes average. Vasil is a fierce competitor who relies on control more than true command, leading some scouts to project him to high-leverage relief.

The Future: The Mets are excited that prospects like Vasil and others will give them upper-levels pitching depth in 2023 that had been lacking in recent seasons. Ultimately he probably fits as a No. 5 starter or quality reliever.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Baez's plus raw power enticed the Mets to sign the 17-year-old for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He made a memorable pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting five home runs and slugging .648 in his first 14 games. While Baez's pace slowed after that, he finished with seven homers, a total topped by just five 17-or-younger hitters in the 49-team DSL. The Mets rewarded him with the organization's DSL player of the year award.

Scouting Report: Baez has plus-plus bat speed and hits the ball very hard for his age. His average exit velocity in the DSL bordered on 88 mph and his 90th percentile reading of 104 mph puts him in good company. Baez's swing has some adjustability and he draws his share of walks, but his 27% chase rate will need to improve against more advanced pitchers. His 5-foot-10 frame is filled out but not totally mature. In the field, Baez has a plus-plus arm that gives him greater margin for error and allows him to play deep at shortstop. His range, hands and actions may be light for the position, especially as he physically matures, and he faces a likely move to third base. He is an average runner who figures to slow a tick or two.

The Future: Baez plays with swagger and has a chance to back it up with impact power. A big spring could propel him to Low-A at some point early in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 70.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Diaz's velocity jumped in the period leading up to the opening of the international signing period in January 2021. He signed with the Mets and quickly asserted his prospect status in the Dominican Summer League by allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings while striking out 63. Diaz recorded an 0.54 ERA that was the lowest for a qualified 17-year-old DSL pitcher since at least 2006. The Mets assigned Diaz to Low-A St.Lucie in late May 2022 and he took his lumps in the Florida State League as the only 18-year-old starting pitcher to toss 50 innings.

Scouting Report: Diaz is an athletic 6-foot-2 righthander who pitches at 93 mph and tops out at 97. He throws strikes at a high rate with his fastball and generates a good rate of swing-and-miss due to a low vertical approach angle and riding life. His secondary pitches proved to be less advanced in a full-season setting. Low-A hitters were less tempted to swing at Diaz's 75-77 mph curveball, though he added power to the pitch as the season progressed. It is his favorite pitch and could become average or better. His changeup is a third pitch that requires better command and more conviction to reach average. The automated ball-strike system in the FSL did Diaz no favors in terms of getting borderline calls.

The Future: Diaz finished on a strong note in the FSL, recording a 3.33 ERA and allowing a .212 opponent average in his final six starts, and still has upside he can reach as his secondary pitches develop. He has starter upside but a long way to go to reach it.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The top high school righthander in the 2019 draft, Allan slipped to the Mets in the third round and signed for $2.5 million, the equivalent of late first-round money. He made six pro appearances that summer in preparation for a full-season assignment that has not yet materialized. Allan shined at the Mets' alternate training site in 2020 when the pandemic wiped out the minor league season and then looked sharp at 2021 spring training. He had Tommy John surgery that May and then ulnar transposition surgery in January 2022 that kept him off a mound for both seasons. Allan had a third elbow surgery in January--this time UCL revision surgery--that will sideline him for the 2023 season.

Scouting Report: Allan flashed top-shelf stuff when healthy. The Mets are hopeful he can recover his mid-90s fastball with vertical life and his high-70s curveball with tight spin and plus potential. He made big strides with his changeup at the alternate site in 2020, but the pitch is largely untested in game situations. Allan has worked to overcome the mental block associated with pitching through scar tissue in his elbow and getting used to normal ligament soreness. The followup elbow surgery he had in 2022 is not uncommon for Tommy John patients. Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler all had it when they pitched for the Mets. Having a Tommy John surgery revision, as Allan had in 2023, is rare but is becoming more common.

The Future: Allan has experienced the ups and downs of pro ball, but what he hasn't experienced is a full season. That will have to wait until at least 2024. A study conducted by Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that 77% of UCL revision surgery patients studied returned to play, with roughly half returning to previous form.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 Curveball: 60 Changeup: 50 Control: 50

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Ventura signed as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 and began to vault up the Mets' organizational depth chart with a strong showing at the alternate training site in 2020. He continued to look good at spring training in 2021 but had Tommy John surgery and missed all of that season plus the first half of 2022. Ventura got on the mound for Low-A St. Lucie on June 12 and made three brief starts before he injured his pectoral muscle and missed the rest of the season.

Scouting Report: Ventura has a sleeper vibe and could break out and assert himself as part of the organization's future in 2023. He is an athletic, 6-foot righthander who is lauded for his competitiveness and for how he attacked his rehab. Ventura's velocity returned intact from Tommy John surgery--he ranged from 92-97 mph and sat about 94--and he showed encouraging feel for his secondary pitches. He focused on throwing his mid-80s changeup in his 2022 return, executing it with arm speed and late diving action frequently enough to project as at least above-average. He gets swings and misses with his power 79-80 mph curveball, though command of the pitch proved fleeting in 2022. Ventura throws enough strikes to stay in the rotation.

The Future: With the potential for three average-or-better major league pitches, a strong work ethic and an athletic build, Ventura looks like a future No. 4 or 5 starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Mets signed Ovalles out of the Dominican Republic when he was 16 in 2019. Because of the pandemic, nearly two years passed before he made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2021. Ovalles opened the 2022 season as a reliever in the Florida Complex League but quickly opened eyes--striking out 16 of 17 batters at one point--to become a priority prospect. In August he moved to Low-A St. Lucie, where three of his five Florida State League appearances were starts.

Scouting Report: Ovalles opened the season pitching at 89-90 mph, but his velocity climbed steadily over the summer. By the end he was sitting 94 mph and had touched 97. Ovalles unleashes three pitches from a physically mature 6-foot-3 frame and a high three-quarters arm slot. He pours in four-seam fastball strikes at an above-average rate and gets his share of swing-and-miss thanks to the cutting action on the pitch. Ovalles' 81-84 mph slider is his best whiff pitch with about a foot of sweep and late drop. He developed greater feel for his low-80s changeup the more he threw it. The 10 mph separation alone makes the pitch stand out.

The Future: Ovalles has a promising pitch mix and control. If he can hold his velocity deep into starts and succeed against more advanced competition, he has breakout potential.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Butto signed at age 19 in 2017 and surged forward during the canceled 2020 season. He was one of the most impressive pitching prospects at the Mets' alternate training site. Butto reached Double-A in 2021 and then Triple-A in 2022 before making his big league debut with an Aug. 21 spot start. He led the Mets' system with 129 innings and ranked among the leaders with 138 strikeouts, a 17.5 K-BB% and a 3.56 ERA.

Scouting Report: Butto has worked almost exclusively as a starter in the minors, but his repertoire would probably be best suited to the bullpen in the big leagues. His four-seam fastball tops out at 96 mph and sits closer to 93. The pitch rides to the top of the strike zone and has good shape. Butto throws an outstanding changeup with armside fade and 10 mph or more of separation off his fastball. The pitch enhances his effectiveness against lefthanded hitters. Butto doesn't have the same type of differentiating weapon against righthanded hitters. His high-70s curveball and low-80s slider lack the type of power and late bite associated with dominant breaking pitches. He is a flyball pitcher susceptible to the longball when he misses his spots.

The Future: Based on the strength of his two primary pitches and solid-average control, Butto has a chance to fill a swingman role for a contending team.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 40. Slider: 40. Changeup: 60. Control: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Rodriguez burst on the scene in 2021 when he pitched his way to Low-A St. Lucie as an 18-year-old after dominating Florida Complex League competition. He had signed for little fanfare in 2019 and had his debut delayed by the pandemic in 2020. Rodriguez didn't get a chance for an encore in 2022 because he had Tommy John surgery in March and missed the entire season.

Scouting Report: As Rodriguez has filled out his 6-foot-3 frame, he has added velocity and was pitching in the mid 90s from a low three-quarters arm slot when healthy in 2021. He topped out at 97 mph. Rodriguez's low-80s slider has peaked at 86 mph and has wipeout potential thanks to impressive horizontal break to his glove side. He was throwing a changeup in side sessions in 2021 and had encouraging arm speed, but he lacks feel for the pitch overall and didn't throw it much in games. The tall lefthander stood out for his athletic ability and physicality.

The Future: Barring a setback, Rodriguez was on target to return to action around midseason. Given his raw stuff and throwing hand, he has major league potential and plenty of time to realize it.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The Mets don't typically splurge on international amateur pictures, but they made an exception for the 6-foot-7 Santos, signing him for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic when he was 16 in 2018. He eased into a pro workload in his initial pro seasons and missed the alternate training site in 2020 with a broken foot, but in the past two seasons only Jose Butto has thrown more innings in the Mets' system. Santos spent 2022 in the High-A Brooklyn rotation, where his fielding-independent numbers look much better than his 4.47 ERA.

Scouting Report: Santos uses his height to his advantage to drive his 93-95 mph sinker--up to 98--down in the strike zone with tailing life to his arm side. Just two minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings had a higher groundball rate than Santos' 59% mark. Just three allowed fewer home runs per nine innings. He throws a mid-80s slider that flashes plus and accounts for a majority of his swings and misses. He has less conviction in a high-80s straight changeup that has some sinking life. Santos has a loose arm but below-average athleticism and control.

The Future: If Santos moves to the bullpen, it's possible his velocity could spike to triple digits. Many see relief as his future role as he approaches the big leagues.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Morabito did not play at the major high school showcases as a rising senior but popped onto radars in 2022 with a big spring at Gonzaga High in downtown Washington, D.C. Mets area scout Joe Raccuia pegged Morabito as a second-round talent early in the spring, and New York ultimately drafted him 75th overall, using the compensatory pick after the second round it gained when Noah Syndergaard signed with the Angels. The Mets signed Morabito for an over-slot $1 million to steer him away from a Virginia Tech commitment. He looked overmatched--going 2-for-22 with 14 strikeouts--in his pro debut in the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Report: Morabito has a short, compact build and explosive raw power and speed, but his pro debut demonstrates that work is required to realize his potential. Morabito has premium bat speed and is quick to the ball with short levers, but he simply swings and misses in the zone too much. His swing tends to be a bit one-piece and rotational, so the Mets will work to correct his lower-half hitting mechanics. If the development takes, then he could hit about .250 with above-average power output. Morabito's best tool is his speed, with double-plus being the most common grade. He played shortstop in high school and second base at the draft combine, but the Mets are developing him as a center fielder. His high-end speed gives him upside in the outfield, while his quick first step makes him a basestealing threat. His arm is below-average.

The Future: Morabito's promising power-speed combination gives him upside to unlock if he can adjust his swing. His development will take time.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Mets made Sarmiento one of their bigger-ticket international amateur acquisitions in 2022, signing him for $700,000 out of Venezuela about a week after he turned 17. He made a successful pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in which he hit .295, got on base and used his speed to rack up nine stolen bases.

Scouting Report: Sarmiento has a lean, 6-foot-2 frame that is twitchy but underdeveloped at this stage. He has a contact-oriented righthanded swing and a good eye for the strike zone. His power is almost nonexistent but should improve as he adds strength to his frame. Sarmiento's well above-average speed, overall athleticism and strong defensive ability at shortstop are his headlining attributes. He is energetic in the field, with sure hands, a quick first step and a plus arm capable of throwing out runners from the shortstop hole.

The Future: As a glove-first shortstop with bat-to-ball skill and command of the strike zone, Sarmiento has a strong foundation to build on. If his hitting ability can come up to par with his glove, he has intriguing upside.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Reimer hails from rural California power Yucaipa High and starred on the showcase circuit as a rising senior. He caught the attention of decision-makers with his hitting ability and swing decisions at the 2022 National High School Invitational. Still, questions about his maxed-out physique and performance against velocity pushed Reimer to the fourth round, where the Mets drafted him and went over-slot to sign him for $775,000. He got into seven Florida Complex League games and showed bat-to-ball skill, discipline and encouraging power.

Scouting Report: The Mets stayed on Reimer all spring, even as many other teams lost interest, and came away convinced that improvements he made were real. Reimer has a physical 6-foot-2 frame, large hands and present strength. He puts on a show in batting practice and did not look fazed in his brief pro debut. Area scouts dinged him for a stiff, uphill swing that goes in and out of the hitting zone quickly, but he counteracts that with a discerning eye and raw power that grades at least plus. A shortstop in high school, Reimer will develop as a third baseman and to stick there will have to improve his range, mobility and ability to throw on the run. He is a below-average runner who is not a factor on the bases.

The Future: It all comes down to the bat for Reimer. He faces the potential for further moves down the defensive spectrum but has a chance to stand out in the batter's box.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The Mets signed Moreno out of the Dominican Republic when he was 20 in 2019. He got in one season in the Dominican Summer League before the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season. When play resumed in 2021, Moreno made the jump to Low-A St. Lucie. He started 2022 back in the Florida State League but quickly pitched his way to High-A Brooklyn in early June.

Scouting Report: Moreno has added velocity to a two-seam fastball that now sits 92-94 mph and touches 96. He gets fair sink and good armside run on his two-seamer he used to generate a 57% groundball rate that ranked fifth in the minors among pitchers with at least 100 innings in 2022. Moreno has always had feel to spin the baseball and throws a slurvy 79-81 mph slider as his money pitch. The pitch has sweeping 10-to-4 action and average depth. He throws a curveball that often blends with his slider. Moreno wears out righthanded hitters with his above-average breaking stuff, which he throws for strikes frequently. He throws a fringy changeup to lefthanded hitters that is not a featured pitch.

The Future: Moreno's control took a big step forward in 2022, giving him a chance to continue starting. He has No. 5 starter or swingman upside.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Atencio's development has been a slow burn since he signed out of Venezuela at age 16 in 2018. He spent 2019 and 2021 in the Dominican Summer League, sandwiched around the lost 2020. Atencio flashed promise in his second DSL summer, ranking second with 76 strikeouts. He made his U.S. debut in 2022 when he joined Low-A St. Lucie on May 24, but his season was limited to 43.2 innings by a bout with Covid.

Scouting Report: Atencio is an athletic lefthander with solid velocity, feel for spin and a developing changeup. He pitches in the low 90s and tops at 95 mph with his four-seam fastball, using it to set up effective secondary weapons. His high-70s slider has slurvy shape and is his most reliable bat-missing pitch. Atencio used his changeup more often in 2022 and gained more confidence in the pitch.

The Future: Evaluating Atencio was a difficult task because of all the missed time. Most see him as a future reliever or No. 5 starter if everything breaks right.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 40. Control: 40.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Scott pitched mostly in relief in three years at Florida. He went undrafted as an eligible sophomore in the five-round 2020 draft but made the cut in 2021, when the Mets drafted him in the fifth round. Scott pitched at two levels of Class A in his 2022 full-season debut, working as a starter and bulk pitcher while averaging nearly 15 batters per appearance with a high of 23 in one start.

Scouting Report: Scott is a 6-foot-4 righthander who stands out for his fastball/slider combo, good extension toward home plate and a lot of confidence on the mound. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and tops at 97 with running life to his arm side. Scott's slider is above-average with a chance to get to plus. He throws a changeup that he can use as a chase pitch against lefthanded hitters but it's below-average. Scott throws a lot of strikes with his fastball and slider but lacks the type of feel typically associated with major league starts.

The Future: Scott has the goods to become a quality big league reliever with a fastball/slider mix that could get to plus. If he moves to the bullpen, he could pop on the MLB radar by 2024.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: When the 2018 international signing period opened in July, the Mets prioritized Francisco Alvarez--now the system's top prospect--and Freddy Valdez. They had bonus pool money left over to sign Lugo for $475,000 on Aug. 23 in what turned out to be former international director Chris Becerra's last major signing before leaving for the Red Sox when Brodie Van Wagenen took over as general manager. Sandwiched around the lost 2020, Lugo stumbled through the Rookie complex levels in 2019 and 2021 before emerging in 2022 with a solid hitting performance as a 20-year-old at two Class A levels.

Scouting Report: Lugo is a bat-first prospect who is powerfully built at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. What he lacks in future projection, he makes up for with impressive raw power and frequent quality contact. Lugo needs to do a better job staying in his strike zone after chasing too much in 2022, and he could unlock further power with experience by hunting pitches he can drive in the air. Lugo signed as a shortstop and has become more of a third baseman, where his above-average arm plays. He's a below-average athlete and a well below-average runner who will have to work to stay at the hot corner.

The Future: With a maxed-out physique and questions surrounding his ultimate position, Lugo is not the type of prospect who is valued highly in the industry. But he has interesting power attributes with some hitting upside still to reach.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 45. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 55.

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Mets have had success scouting Venezuela in the past decade. Andres Gimenez was the key to the Francisco Lindor trade and has blossomed into an all-star for the Guardians. Francisco Alvarez is the Mets' top prospect after making his MLB debut as a 20-year-old last season. Like Alvarez, Gutierrez is an offensive-minded catcher whom the Mets signed out of Venezuela in January.

Scouting Report: Gutierrez shows advanced hitting ability and power for a 17-year-old. His hand-eye coordination affords him strong contact skills. He controls the zone well for his age but is generally geared to swing the bat and think damage. Some scouts think he could get to above-average power. Gutierrez shows off an above-average arm behind the plate but must clean up his blocking and receiving.

The Future: Gutierrez has the tools necessary to profile as a starting catcher but a long way to go to get there. His pro journey will begin this summer, probably with an assignment to the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Mets signed Larez in January, drawn to his 'now' hitting and power ability as one of the more advanced shortstops from Venezuela this year.

Scouting Report: Larez has balanced ability across the board. He is a mature hitter who makes frequent contact, with the strength to do damage when he connects. His present gap power could manifest as average home run production at maturity. Larez is an above-average runner and thrower, but many scouts envision his thicker frame fitting better at second or third base.

The Future: Larez will develop as a shortstop whose ultimate upside may be as an average MLB second baseman. Just 17 years old, he will require at least five seasons of minor league time. The first step will be an assignment to the Dominican Summer League in June.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: The Yankees drafted Greene out of South Alabama in the eighth round in 2019 after he spent his junior and senior seasons there. He spent the entirety of his fourth pro season in 2022 at Triple-A, working as a reliever and opener. Greene was squeezed out of the Yankees' crowded 40-man roster picture and left exposed to the major league Rule 5 draft. The Mets selected him and must keep him on their active 26-man roster all season to retain his rights.

Scouting Report: Greene throws four pitches but leans on his four-seam fastball and slider. His low-90s four-seamer has riding life and heavy cut from a low angle of release. He pairs his unique four-seam shape with a sweeping slider at 78-80 mph. The majority of his whiffs come from those two pitches. Greene will mix in a changeup and cutter as well, but his success is heavily driven from his ability to generate whiffs against his cut four-seam fastball. He misses bats but his control wavers, so he is not a candidate for late-inning, high-leverage work.

The Future: Greene could be a serviceable low-leverage reliever for the Mets in 2023. If he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, he will be waived and offered back to the Yankees for $50,000 if not claimed.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 40. Control: 40.