Las Vegas 51s:

Beyond Syndergaard, 5 players to watch on the 51s this season

Steve Spatafore / Courtesy photo

Five of the New York Mets’ top 12 prospects according to Baseball America started the 2015 season with the Las Vegas 51s. From left are pitcher Steven Matz, pitcher Noah Syndergaard, second baseman Dilson Herrera, shortstop Matt Reynolds and catcher Kevin Plawecki.

By Brian Deka

Friday, April 17, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The Las Vegas 51s are loaded with talent this year.

Five of the New York Mets' top 12 prospects according to Baseball America started the 2015 season with the Triple-A club.

Right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard is the most recognizable name of the bunch. The 22-year-old made 26 starts for the 51s last season and is back in Las Vegas to gain more experience. He posted a 9-7 record with a 4.60 ERA in 2014 and led the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts.

Syndergaard isn’t the only pitching prospect the organization is high on. Left-handed pitcher Steven Matz, who pitched at the Single-A and Double-A levels last year as a 23-year-old, has been turning heads for years. He has a 2.51 ERA in 52 minor-league starts.

“He’s come through the system very, very fast,” 51s manager Wally Backman said.

The Mets drafted Matz in the second round of the 2009 draft, but he had ligament-replacement surgery on his left elbow in 2010 and didn’t make his professional debut until 2012.

Las Vegas pitching coach Frank Viola said Matz, who was named the Mets organization’s pitcher of the year in 2014, is still playing catch-up after the surgery.

“All he needs is experience at the Triple-A level,” Viola said. “This kid is incredible. Everything he does is the way to do things. His work ethic, his approach, his routine, everything. It’s just a question of getting innings and work.”

Matz and Syndergaard are scheduled to pitch this weekend in the 51s’ first homestand of the season. The Fresno Grizzlies are coming to Las Vegas for a four-game series, which begins today with fireworks night.

The other top prospects playing for the 51s this season are catcher Kevin Plawecki, second baseman Dilson Herrera and shortstop Matt Reynolds. Utility man Eric Campbell was hitting .550 with a pair of homers in six games this season before getting called up to the Mets on Tuesday to replace third baseman David Wright, who was placed on the disabled list.

For now, the focus is on the talented young pitchers hoping to earn a spot with the big-league club.

“The best part about this scenario with Syndergaard and Matz is that these two already are ready for the big leagues, pushing each other in a positive way,” Viola said. “It’s gonna be a nice little friendly competition that they’ll be setting for themselves, and it’s going to be fun to be around.”

Here’s a look at the players to watch beyond Syndergaard:

Carlos Osorio / AP

Steven Matz

Age: 23.

Size: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.

Position: Starting pitcher.

Selected: Round 2 of the 2009 draft.

Prospect ranking: No. 2 prospect in the Mets system, according to Baseball America.

2014 stats: With Double-A Binghamton: 6-5 record, 2.25 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 71 innings in 12 starts. With Single-A St. Lucie: 4-4 record, 2.22 ERA, 62 strikeouts, 69 innings in 12 starts.

What manager Wally Backman says: “I love him. He’s a left-hander that throws 96 (mph). He throws three pitches for strikes at any time in the count.”

Outlook: Matz could be in line for a call-up to New York if the Mets need to replace someone in the starting rotation. That job also could go to former 51s pitcher Rafael Montero, who is being used in the Mets’ bullpen. New York probably wouldn’t promote Metz to be a reliever if Montero were to get the nod.
Jeff Roberson / AP

Dilson Herrera

Age: 21.

Size: 5-foot-10, 150 pounds.

Position: Second baseman and shortstop.

Selected: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 2010; Mets acquired him via trade.

Prospect ranking: No. 4 prospect in the Mets system, according to Baseball America.

2014 stats: With the Mets: .220 average, .303 on-base percentage, .407 slugging percentage, 3 homers, 11 RBIs in 18 games. With Double-A Binghamton: .340 average, .406 on-base percentage, .560 slugging percentage, 10 homers, 48 RBIs in 61 games. With Single-A St. Lucie: .307 average, .355 on-base percentage, .410 slugging percentage, 3 homers, 23 RBIs in 67 games.

What manager Wally Backman says: “Another exciting player that’s come through the system at a very young age.”

Outlook: Although he’s versatile enough to play other infield positions, Herrera will be the primary second baseman for the 51s this season. He possesses a nice mix of power and speed, which he showed in hitting 33 doubles and stealing 23 bases last year. Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy is on the last year of his contract, and Herrera appears to be the heir apparent.
Tony Gutierrez / AP

Matt Reynolds

Age: 24.

Size: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds.

Position: Shortstop and second baseman.

Selected: Round 2 of the 2012 draft.

Prospect ranking: No. 12 prospect in the Mets system, according to Baseball America.

2014 stats: With the 51s: .333 average, .385 on-base percentage, .479 slugging percentage, 5 homers, 40 RBIs in 68 games. With Double-A Binghamton: .355 average, .430 on-base percentage, .422 slugging percentage, 1 homer, 21 RBIs in 58 games.

What manager Wally Backman says: “Matt will probably play shortstop most of the time. We have (Wilfredo) Tovar that can play shortstop, who’s also on the 40-man roster (and) probably will play all over the diamond.”

Outlook: Reynolds could have a future with New York, which has shortstops Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada on the roster. Flores has struggled defensively, and Tejada hasn’t shown much ability with the bat.
John Locher / AP

Kevin Plawecki

Age: 24.

Size: 6-foot-2, 225 pounds.

Position: Catcher and first baseman.

Selected: Round 1 of the 2012 draft.

Prospect ranking: No. 5 prospect in the Mets system, according to Baseball America.

2014 stats: With the 51s: .283 average, .345 on-base percentage, .421 slugging percentage, 5 homers, 21 RBIs in 43 games. With Double-A Binghamton: .326 average, .378 on-base percentage, .487 slugging percentage, 6 homers, 43 RBIs, 58 games.

What Backman says: “He’s gonna get his opportunity at some point in time to be a major league catcher, and I think he’s a starting catcher. I don’t see Kevin as a backup guy with his makeup and understanding of how to run the game, and he’s always trying to better himself.”

Outlook: Plawecki is off to a rough start this year, batting .095 after going hitless in his first 17 at-bats. He has shown offensive prowess, hitting .290 with 26 homers and 70 doubles in his 291-game minor-league career. Plawecki is a candidate to join the Mets when rosters expand in September.
John Bazemore / AP

Eric Campbell

Age: 28.

Size: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.

Position: Infielder/outfielder.

Selected: Round 8 in the 2008 draft.

2014 stats: With the Mets: .263 average, .322 on-base percentage, .358 slugging percentage, 3 homers, 16 RBIs in 85 games. With the 51s: .355 average, .442 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, 3 homers, 24 RBIs in 33 games.

What manager Wally Backman says: “‘Soup’ will move around. I don’t expect to have him long. He’s gonna play some first, he’s gonna play some third, he’s gonna play some left, some right. We’ll throw him out at second once in a while, just exactly what he did for us last year before he went to the big leagues.”

Outlook: Backman was right about Campbell not being around long — the Mets called him up to the majors this week. Campbell might return to Las Vegas when New York activates third baseman David Wright from the disabled list. Although Campbell isn't considered a hot prospect at his age, he was a useful bench player in 85 games with the Mets last season. He played left field, right field, every infield position and designated hitter. Campbell hit .314 in 120 games with the 51s in 2013 before hitting .355 in a short stint in Las Vegas a year ago.