Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
30. Robert Dominguez, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 18 (11/30/2001)
Height: 6’4 Weight: 200
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent (7/2019)
ETA: 2025 Previous Rank: N/A
2019 Stats: N/A
In some ways, Dominguez was an afterthought when the international signing period began. However, as the summer continued the 17-year-old pitcher who was hitting the low 90s was gaining velocity, and at times, he was able to hit 99 MPH with his fastball according to Baseball America. He also saw the development of a sharp breaking ball. FanGraphs has Dominguez as their No. 17 Mets prospect.
Overall, Dominguez is a raw pitcher who still needs to develop consistency, strength, and really another pitch to be looked upon as someone who could be even contemplated as a starting pitcher. However, he already has very interesting tools as a late inning reliever. We should not rule out anything with him because he is quite clearly just scratching the surface with his talent, and the Mets are in a position to see him take yet another big step forward in 2020.
29. Bryce Hutchinson, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 21 (10/21/98)
Height: 6’6” Weight: 245
Acquired: 12th Round of the 2017 Draft from DeLand HS (DeLand, FL)
ETA: 2022 Previous Rank: 50
2019 Stats (Columbia): 3.73 ERA, 1.309 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 7.0 K/9, 3.76 FIP
Hutchinson was shut down in 2018, and the expectation was he was going to miss at least part of the 2019 season. Instead, he recovered well and rehabbed quickly to be able to appear in the Fireflies bullpen to start the year. He performed well in the bullpen, mostly piggybacking other starters, and he would be named the Fireflies reliever of the month for May. His 11.7 swinging strike percentage ranked fifth among Mets minor league pitchers with at least 90 innings pitched (above Anthony Kay’s 11.3% for reference).
Hutchinson grew stronger as the season progressed, and he made some starts late in the season. If he is able to hone his mechanics and repeat his delivery, he can be a four pitch pitcher with a mid 90s fastball and good curveball. If not, he has already shown he is able to pitch well coming out of the bullpen.
28. Luis Carpio, INF
B/T: R/R Age: 22 (7/11/97)
Height: 5’11” Weight: 190
Acquired: International Free Agent from Venezuela (7/11/13)
ETA: 2021 Previous Rank: 22
2019 Stats (St. Lucie & Binghamton): .282/.361/.380, 19 2B, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 122 wRC+
Carpio was once considered one of the crown jewels of the Mets farm system until he had experienced some shoulder injuries including a labrum tear in his throwing shoulder. He put in the time rehabbing and strengthening his shoulder, and now, he has shown the injuries are now behind him.
He was healthy during the 2019 season, and he would have a 113 wRC+ in Double-A, and while he doesn’t have the same arm strength, his arm is at a point where he can continue to play shortstop. As he continues to get further away from his labrum tear and he continues to get stronger, we may soon see him return to hitting the power many had expected from him. Even if it doesn’t, he has shown himself to be a versatile player who can be a productive hitter.
27. Wilmer Reyes, INF
B/T: R/R Age: 22 (12/22/97)
Height: 6’0” Weight: 161
Acquired: International Free Agent from Dominican Republic (6/2016)
ETA: 2022 Previous Rank: NR
2019 Stats (Brooklyn): .323/.350/.441, 8 2B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 12 SB, 136 wRC+
One of the reasons the Brooklyn Cyclones won the New York-Penn League championship for the first time in their history was Reyes having a breakout season. He would finish in the top 10 in offensive categories like batting average, slugging, OPS, total bases, and stolen bases. Overall, he was an above average hitter with a 136 wRC+, good for 10th in the New York-Penn League.
Mostly, Reyes showed himself to be a toolsy player. He has the range and arm strength to play nearly anywhere on the diamond. Baseball America noted his defensive ability at shortstop after watching him in the 2019 All-Star game.
He’s cut down on his strike out rate and began making more contact, and early in the season he had shown real power at the plate. He’s an aggressive contact oriented batter who still has work to do in terms of pitch selection and getting lift on the ball.
26. Ryley Gilliam, RHP
B/T: R/R Age: 8/11/96 (23)
Height: 5’10” Weight: 170
Acquired: 2018 Fifth Round Draft Pick from Clemson University
ETA: 2020 Previous Rank: 31
2019 Stats (St. Lucie, Binghamton, Syracuse): 6.05 ERA, 1.552 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, 13.0 K/9, 3.24 FIP
When Gilliam was drafted in 2018, he was looked upon as one of the more Major League ready players drafted, and the expectation was he would be among the first players from that draft class to make it to the majors. To that end, Gilliam has put himself in that position by pitching in Syracuse a year after he was drafted.
Gilliam is a pitcher who can really spin it with his mid 90s fastball and a curve. With a quirky delivery, he hides the ball well and generates that spin helping lead to him generating big strikeout numbers. That delivery has also led to come control issues as well as his being vulnerable to left-handed batters.
Even with his struggles in Syracuse last year, he struck out 21.8 percent of the batters he faced at that level. He bounced back from those struggles (and late season injured list stint), with 11 strikeouts and one earned run allowed in 9.1 Arizona Fall League innings.
Ultimately, what plagued him there and could plague him going forward is the walks. Of note, his walk rate climbed at each level he pitched in the minors. That said, he has the type of stuff which could lead to him making his Major League debut in 2020.
