Minor League Ball releases list of Mets' top 20 prospects

John Sickels of Minor League Ball has released his list of the Mets' top 20 prospects for the 2016 season. Topping the list, as expected, is left-handed pitcher Steven Matz. Sickels gives Matz a grade of A/A-, which puts him in an "elite" class of prospects.

Some other notable placements on the list include first baseman Dominic Smith at #2, outfielder Wuilmer Becerra at #6, and outfielder Desmond Lindsay at #7. Smith, the 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft, has had a mixed start to his professional career. In 2015, he hit .305/.354/.417 with six home runs in 118 games for St. Lucie.

Sickels lists Becerra as a 2016 breakout candidate given his "solid right field tool set." The 21-year-old is eligible for the Rule 5 draft, though, as the Mets did not add him to their 40-man roster last week.

Lindsay, a second-round selection, was the team's top draft pick in 2015. Sickels calls him a "high-ceiling player" who will need time to develop. Sickels also lists right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen, who had Tommy John surgery in 2014, as a breakout pick.