Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America release midseason prospect lists

Baseball Prospectus (BP) and Baseball America (BA) each released their midseason prospect lists this week, and it’s grim news for the Mets, good news for their rivals. BA ranked 100 players, BP listed 50.

Their system diminished by a wave of graduations, the only Mets prospect to make both lists was Amed Rosario, who slotted in at #18 on BA’s list and #15 on BP’s rankings. Rosario, 20, entered at #58 on BA’s pre-season list and #96 on BP’s, but proceeded to tear through the pitcher-friendly High-A Florida State League. The Dominican native hit .309/.359/.442 in 290 FSL plate appearances before being promoted to Double-A and hitting .400 in 61 at bats there. BP praised his athleticism on both sides of the ball, while noting he could face trouble against better pitching.

First baseman Dominic Smith, the Mets’ first overall pick in the 2014 draft, moved up three slots from his pre-season ranking to #76 on BA’s list after posting a .777 OPS in his first tour of Double-A. They noted that as a first baseman, he needs to hit and his recent power binge— six home runs in his last 16 games—is an encouraging sign.

Meanwhile, the Phillies, two years into what can be considered a full rebuild, landed six players on BA’s top 100 and four players on BP’s top 50, including 21-year-old shortstop J.P. Crawford, whom BP ranked as the best prospect in all of baseball (BA had him at #3). BA also ranked six Braves prospect in their top 100, three of whom Atlanta acquired this past offseason. BP listed three Braves in their top 50, placing 2015 first overall pick Dansby Swanson at #10 while BA had him at #7.

The Nationals landed five players on BA and three on BP, although BP did not rank one of the players on BA’s list—Lucas Giolito (#4)— because he was already promoted to the majors.

The Marlins, however, placed only one prospect on either list, with first baseman Josh Naylor taking the 100th spot. In a preseason ranking, ESPN.com’s Keith Law and Minorleagueball.com’s John Sickels, listed Miami as the second-worst farm team in baseball, ahead of only the Angels.