A few weeks ago, I wrote about the players of local interest on MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list. You may read that post by following this link.
Today, Baseball America released its top 100 list, which has a few differences.
11. Zach Wheeler, Mets SP
23. Travis d’Arnuad, Mets C
32. Mason Williams, Yankees OF
54. Noah Syndergaard, Mets SP
57. Gary Sanchez, Yankees C
62. Taylor Guerrieri, Rays SP
63. Slade Heathcott, Yankees OF
77. Tyler Austin, Yankees OF
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Hudson Valley Renegades starter Taylor Guerrieri pitches against the Brooklyn Cyclones on September 10, 2011. Guerrieri was recently named to both the MLB.com and Baseball American top 100 prospect lists. (LEE FERRIS photo/For the Times Herald-Record)
MLB has the Mets’ top three prospects all in the top 29, but Baseball America isn’t as bullish on Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard, the prospects the Mets received in the R.A. Dickey trade.
Baseball America is higher on Mason Williams and also includes Slade Heathcott, who wasn’t listed on MLB’s list. If you’re concerned with the Yankees’ outfield this season, these lists would have you believe that help is on the way, although Heathcott and Austin are still years away at this point. Of course, the Yankees could always trade those guys away for more major league-ready talent. It must be a little disconcerting for Yankees fans that the club doesn’t have a single pitcher in the top 100. The young pitcher most likely to make an impact in the Bronx this season is reliever Mark Montgomery, who has been compared favorably to David Robertson.
For Mets fans, help is on the way soon, as d’Arnaud (pronounced: Darno) and Wheeler should be up with the big club at some point in 2013. Syndergaard is still a few years away.
Taylor Guerrieri, who pitched the Hudson Valley Renegades to a New York-Penn League championship this past summer, is ranked almost 20 spots lower on Baseball America’s list. I get the feeling that Baseball America considers proximity to the majors more valuable than does MLB.com, which puts a higher value on a player’s ceiling.
