New York Mets Draft Preview, Part 2: The Pitchers

In this second part of the Mets draft preview, I'll highlight five pitchers the Mets may consider taking with the 13th pick in the MLB draft, next Monday, June 6th. In the first part I highlighted five hitters. 

The Mets farm system has more pitching talent then hitting talent.  It is topped by three pitchers. 

Jenry Mejia was at the top of the system, until the recent news that he would have to undergo Tommy John surgery.  You can expect Mejia to miss the rest of this year and the entirety of next year. With that said, he is still an elite prospect.  He was dominating Triple A in Buffalo before the injury occurred. Considering the track record of pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery, it is likely he will be in the majors in 2013 if he recovers. 

Then there is last year's first-round pick Matt Harvey.  Harvey has been great in A Advanced at St. Lucie for the Mets.  Harvey can also be expected to arrive in the majors by 2013, if not next year in 2012.  

Finally, Jeurys Familia has bounced back from a disappointing 2010 to dominate in 2011. The 21-year-old started the year with Harvey in St. Lucie but has been promoted to Double A Binghamton, where he has continued his success. If he continues his strong performance in Double A, Familia will likely be promoted to Buffalo, and he too will have a shot at cracking the major league roster in 2012 or 2013. 

These three pitchers make me believe that the Mets should go with hitting in the first round.  Also, the Mets' 2009 first-round pick, Steven Matz, has yet to pitch in his career due to Tommy John surgery, but he too may provide the Mets with another pitching prospect to keep an eye on. 

In addition, last year's tenth round pick, Akeel Morris, flashed potential in the Rookie Gulf Coast League in 2010 and will be 18 when he breaks extended Spring Training this year. 

But this draft is stacked with pitching talent which may be too much for the Mets pass up. 

I am assuming the following pitchers will not be available: Gerrit Cole; Danny Hultzen, Dylan Bundy, Trevor Bauer, Matt Barnes, Archie Bradley, and Sonny Gray. 

Jed Bradley, LHP, Georgia Tech

All the top pitching prospect currently in the Mets system (Harvey, Mejia, and Familia) have one thing in common: they're right-handers.  The Mets could use some left-handed pitching talent and Jed Bradley would provide that. 

In addition, Bradley is a polished pitcher who does not need much time before reaching the majors.  His pitching approach is strong; he has a nice delivery, and his fastball and changeup are his strong suits. 

Keith Law's ESPN Insider report criticizes Bradley's breaking pitches, but considering the other reports praising Bradley's overall package I believe any weakness in Bradley's breaking pitches is being over-hyped. I think Bradley's strong approach can likely overcome any deficiencies in his breaking stuff.

Taylor Jungmann, RHP, University of Texas

Jungmann is a possibility, but he has too many red flags for me to support this pick. 

First, the positives. Jungmann, like Bradley, is near Major League ready.  He sports a fastball that is consistently in the mid-90's and pairs it with a great curveball. 

However, Jungmann has an odd delivery that raises two concerns: his ability to repeat his delivery and maintain control of his pitches, in addition to his ability to remain injury free.  Many people have dismissed these concerns, but he has already had arm surgery in high school and his control, while solid in college, may be put under more demand at the next level. 

Additionally, I question if his changeup is good enough for the extra use that will be demanded of it at the next level.  I'm hoping that the Mets do not go with Jungmann here. 

For a more in-depth description of Jungmann, see Nicholas Pugliese's report.

Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Spring Valley HS (SC)

A couple of weeks ago rumors closely tied the Mets and Guerrieri together, but they have lessened in the meantime. 

Guerrieri is loaded with potential.  He has good command and a good delivery which produces a scorching fastball; a good curveball, and average changeup.  Keep in mind, at 18, all of these pitches can develop. 

What excites me most about Guerrieri is what I have read about his cutter, which can help regardless, but especially if that changeup does not develop into a plus pitch.

You have to imagine Guerrieri is at least four years away from the majors, but you have to like what he can be once he is fully developed.  I think the Mets will focus on getting a player that will be ready for the majors by 2013, but if Guerrieri is available and if the Mets pick a high school player, this will likely be the pick. 

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Alonso HS (FL)

Fernandez is another high school arm that may fit with the Mets.  Physically, he is a developed kid and if anything, some have reported that keeping him in condition will be an issue.  

Besides that, he has a strong fastball that will sit in the low 90's, but he can reach the mid-90's when he pulls back for it.  His slider is supposed to be down right devastating, although right now controlling it will be priority No. 1 in his development.  Priority No. 2 will be developing his changeup, along with working on his curveball, which will likely be his fourth pitch if he reaches the majors. 

Chances are Fernandez will be there for the Mets to take.  He would be an intriguing pick, and if the Mets can harness his control he could be up sooner than Guerrieri and many high school pitchers in this draft, outside Dylan Bundy.

Henry Owens, LHP, Edison HS (CA)

Owens may be a reach at the 13th pick, but there is a lot to love about him. Owens could possibly be around for the Mets with the 44th pick in the sandwich round (although I doubt it). 

Owens is a tall lanky lefty, who is polished ahead of his years.  His strongest feature at this point is his delivery, pitching approach, and command.  His delivery has allowed his pitches to be more devastating then the "stuff" itself. 

His fastball sits in the low-90's, but he may be able to add more velocity as he physically develops. He has a big, hooking curveball that moves slowly, although some reports also say he complements it with a sharper curveball and a sweeping slider.  His changeup is also projectable to be at least average with the proper development. 

I believe there's something here with Owens, if not something very big.  It would be a huge reach to take him with the 13th pick, but don’t forget, Matt Harvey was projected to be picked in the late first round in 2010, and the Mets chose him with the seventh pick.