I wanted to take a look at the top ten prospects in the Mets farm system according to MLB.com, and see where they will start the season, where they are expected to finish the season, and the likelihood they are a factor with the big league club on a scale of one through five. An impact rating of five means they very likely will be up with the Big League club this season, and an impact rating of one means it is very unlikely they will be up with the Mets. An obvious rating of zero mean no impact will be made at the MLB level. Click the jump for the following ratings on the Mets top ten prospects according to MLB.com.

• 1. Steven Matz, LHP
• Starting League: MLB
• Finishing League: MLB
• Impact Rating: 5
• Steven Matz is expected to be the Mets #4 starter this season, and an early favorite for NL Rookie of the Year. Matz pitched at the Major League level last season, but did not log enough innings to eliminate his rookie status. The lefty is expected to be a fixture in the Mets rotation for the next several years, and if he can manage to stay healthy this season, he will be a major factor in terms of the Mets success this season.

 

• 2. Dominic Smith, 1B
• Starting League: AA Binghamton
• Finishing League: AAA Las Vegas
• Impact Rating: 1
• Dominic Smith is widely regarded as the Mets first baseman of the future throughout the organization. Smith played a full season at A+ St. Lucie last season and was a doubles machine leading the Florida State League with 33 doubles, and is widely regarded as one of the Mets best pure hitting prospects in their system. The 20-year old produced a .305/.354/.417 line in St. Lucie to back that notion of his hitting prowess. The only thing missing from Smith’s game is his power, as he only had 6 home runs last season. Many believe the power will come as Smith continues to grow and develop, and the Mets would love to see that power translate in Binghamton. If Smith tears the cover off of the ball in AA, much as he did in St. Lucie,  a late season promotion to AAA Las Vegas will not surprise me.

 

• 3. Amed Rosario, SS
• Starting League: AA Binghamton
• Finishing League: AA Binghamton
• Impact Rating: 0
• Rosario has been a highly touted prospect in the Mets system since he was signed out of the Dominican Republic in July 2012. The 20-year old Rosario has been widely regarded as the Mets shortstop of the future and his game reminds me of Jose Reyes, when Reyes was making his way up the organizational ladder. Rosario received a late season promotion to AA Binghamton, after hitting .257/.307/.335 at A+ St. Lucie, where he was the youngest player in the Florida State League. Expect Rosario to spend the whole season at Binghamton as he continues to be groomed as the successor to Asdrubal Cabrera when his 2-year contract is up.

 

• 4. Gavin Cecchini, IF
• Starting League: AAA Las Vegas
• Finishing League: MLB
• Impact rating: 4
• A former Mets first round pick, Cecchini will open the season at AAA Las Vegas as the starting shortstop. The 22-year old infielder has always had strong strikeout-to-walk ratios and his ability to hit for contact will help him become a useful piece at the next level. Cecchini hit a strong .317/.377/.442 line at AA Binghamton last season, which got the eyes of many evaluators. There is speculation that Cecchini will become a second baseman at the Major League level due to his defense not being spectacular at short. He ultimately may be a utility type player for the Mets at the next level, with the potential of him being called up in September when rosters expand. Cecchini could be called up to the Majors earlier only if an immediate need arose for the Mets at the Big League level due to injuries.

 

• 5. Brandon Nimmo, OF
• Starting League: AAA Las Vegas
• Finishing League: MLB
• Impact Rating: 4
• Nimmo has always been one of the most scrutinized prospects as he was a high first round pick back in 2011 while not having a high school baseball team. Nimmo was added to the 40-man roster this offseason with the expectation that he might make his Major League debut sometime this season. Nimmo unfortunately injured his foot in the offseason and those expectations have been cooled for the time being. Nimmo started last season at AA where he produced .279/.354/.368 line which eventually got him a promotion to AAA Las Vegas later in the season. Nimmo will start the season at AAA, with the hope he can make his Major League debut later this season. If Alejandro De Aza ultimately gets traded later this year, the 22-year old outfielder may have a spot on the Mets active roster. Ultimately Nimmo will make his debut with the Mets if a need arises due to trade or injury, or during September when rosters expand.

 

• 6. Desmond Lindsay, OF
• Starting League: Low-A Colombia Fireflies
• Finishing League: Low-A Colombia Fireflies
• Impact Rating: 0
• Lindsay was the Mets first pick in last year’s draft in the 2nd round, after the Mets lost their first round pick due to the Michael Cuddyer signing. The 19-year old outfielder was drafted out of high school, and will take a few years before he makes an impact at the Major League level. Lindsay impressed in 21 games at the rookie Gulf Coast League slashing .304/.400/.464, before being promoted to the rookie level Brooklyn Cyclones where he struggled a bit in 14 games. It will be interesting to see if they keep Lindsay in extended Spring Training, and send him back to Brooklyn later in the season, or if they ultimately just send him to low A Colombia. I’m going to believe they go with the latter, and let Lindsay spend an entire season in Colombia.

 

• 7. Luis Carpio, SS
• Starting League: DL
• Finishing League: DL
• Impact Rating: 0
• Carpio recently underwent surgery to repair a torn right labrum that will sideline him for the entirety of the 2016 season. Carpio is only 18, so he has plenty of time to heal up and come back ready to grow next season, but it delays his Major League impact by a year. Carpio produced a .304/.372/.359 line at Appalachian Rookie League Kingsport last season.

 

• 8. Wuilmer Becerra, OF
• Starting League: A+ St. Lucie Mets
• Finishing League: AA Binghamton Mets
• Impact Rating: 0
• Becerra who has turned into an added bonus in the famed R.A. Dickey trade, continues to successfully move up the ladder in the Mets organization. Becerra hit .290/.342/.423 at low A Savannah last season, and slugged 9 home runs in one of the worst hitting environment leagues. The 21-year old outfielder is projected to become a corner outfielder at the next level due to his power potential and average running ability. Wuilmer will open the season with the St. Lucie Mets, with a late season promotion to Binghamton not out of the question if he continues to rake.

 

• 9. Marcos Molina, RHP
• Starting League: DL
• Finishing League: DL
• Impact Rating: 0
• Molina had undergone Tommy John surgery in the offseason after being hampered by elbow issues all of last season, that forced him to miss time. Prior to Molina’s elbow troubles, many looked at Molina as another top tier pitcher in the Mets system due to the stuff he possesses and his feel for the game at such a young age. Many in the organization still believe Molina can continue to be that next pitcher in line for the Mets down the road following surgery. The 21- year old will be facing the long journey of Tommy John rehab this season with a return to pitching full-time next spring more likely.

 

• 10. Matt Reynolds, IF
• Starting League: MLB
• Finishing League: MLB
• Impact Rating: 5
• Matt Reynolds was the beneficiary of Ruben Tejada’s release this spring, as Reynolds is on the inside track for a spot on the 25-man roster coming out of Spring Training. Reynolds will serve as a utility infielder this season for the Mets, and primarily play shortstop when Asdrubal Cabrera is not in the lineup, and Wilmer Flores is playing another position. Reynolds is not being heavily depended on for production which is good for his development, and his ability to hit for contact will help him get on base at the Major League level. Reynolds more than likely will continue to be a key utility infielder for the Mets for years to come.