During the 2017-2018 offseason, we here at LOD are putting together a different kind of prospect list than you’re used to seeing. As opposed to typical prospect rankings, we are going position by position to give you the names to look out for in each organization in the upcoming season.
You can view previous articles in this Mets series here: Pitcher, Catcher
First Base – Peter Alonso – 2017 Teams: St. Lucie Mets (Class-A+) Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A)
Bats Right/Throws Right
2017 Statistics (Minors): .289/.359/.524, .883 OPS, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 93 G
Peter Alonso was drafted by the New York Mets in the 2nd Round of the 2016 June MLB draft out of the University of Florida. In his last season with the Gators, the infielder batted .374, with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 58 games.
Alonso started his pro career with the Brooklyn Cyclones (Low-A ball) that summer and in 30 games he batted .321, with 12 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 21 RBIs and 11 walks. He also represented the Cyclones in the New York Penn League All Star game.
This past summer, Alonso had a breakout season in the power department, as he hit 23 doubles, launched 16 home runs and drove in 58 runs, while also walking 25 times in 82 games. A 11 game hitting streak at the end of July helped improve his batting average to nearly .300, with seven multi-hit games in that span.
Alonso earned a selection to the Florida State League All Star Game and the MiLB Player of the Month for July.
On August 24, the 6’2″ Tampa, Florida native was promoted to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double A) and in 11 games he batted .311, with four doubles, a triple and two home runs. Alonso also enjoyed a nine game hitting streak, with 4-multi hit games in the streak.
Alonso has played only first base in his brief minor league career, and with an organization seeking a pure first basemen and a right-handed bat with some pop, Alonso looks to fit that need.
Other Notable First Baseman:
Bats Left/Throws Left
2017 Teams: Columbus FireFlies (Class-A Full Season)
2017 Statistics: .237/.304/.369, .672 OPS, 13 HR, 70 RBIs, 114 G
After Peter Alonso, the only other top first base prospect the Mets have on their radar is Patrick Mazeika, who is also a catcher, but one guy that should be considered as a top first base prospect is Dash Winningham.
Winningham was drafted by the Mets in the 8th round of the 2014 June MLB draft out of Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fl.
Overlooked by many baseball minded people, Winningham’s swing coming out of High School was as pure and natural as one could be. He swang the bat with ease and the ball just pop off his bat.
In his first pro season with the Gulf Coast League Mets (Rookie), Winningham hit .231, with 10 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 36 RBIs and 17 walks in 52 games.
In 2015, Winningham showed his power as he launched 12 home runs and drove in 51 runs, while also walking 15 times, and improving in the doubles category with 19 on the season in 66 games with the Kingsport Mets (Rookie).
The Mets promoted Winningham to their new minor league club in Columbus and with the Fireflies (Class-A Full Season) in 2016, the Florida native took a hit to his batting average posting at just .234, but hit 31 doubles, two triples, matched his career high with 12 home runs and drove in a career best with 69 RBIs in 125 games.
After such a season, it was thought Winningham would make a jump to the St. Lucie Mets (Class-A+) for the 2017 season, but the Mets had other plans and Winningham returned to the Fireflies.
In his first game in 2017, Winningham sent a message to the Mets as he went 3 for 5, with a home run and four RBIs. He would hit safely in his next 10 of 11 games, while driving in 11 runs.
Winningham enjoyed a solid season once again, adding career highs in home runs (13), RBIs (70) and walks (37) and earned a selection to the South Atlantic League All Star Game.
Other than Winningham not hitting for average so far in his brief minor league career, he has proven that he can hit the long ball, so a stop in St Lucie in 2018 should be a sure thing.
The Mets are without a bona-fide first baseman on their roster, but they have two gems waiting in the wings in the minors in Alonso and Winningham. Two guys that bat on the opposite side of the plate and are making a name for themselves in the system.
Keep a close eye on both ball players as they each continue with their development on their way to the show.
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