While much attention has been directed towards notable New York Mets prospects such as Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert, and Luisangel Acuna, another prospect is emerging as a potential standout within the organization. Contrary to expectations, it’s not starting pitcher Christian Scott, who is on the verge of reaching the majors while playing at Triple-A.
Jesus Baez, who transitioned from shortstop to third baseman, has garnered significant attention early in the season. He’s one of ten non-top-100 prospects highlighted by Baseball America in an article dated April 18.
When the Mets signed Baez from the Dominican Republic for $275,000 in 2022, his standout qualities as an amateur were his power and his ability to effectively use it against live pitching. Now at 19 years old, Baez is demonstrating this blend of contact and power in his performance this year for Low-A St. Lucie, where he holds a batting line of .271/.327/.479 over 52 plate appearances. While his aggressive approach might need some adjustment, he displays minimal swing-and-miss tendencies, with only an 8% strikeout rate this year. Additionally, he consistently makes solid contact, evident in his average exit velocity of 92 mph.
Baez, previously ranked as the Mets’ 17th-best prospect by Baseball America before the season, has already shown impressive power this year. With a home run, five doubles, and a triple, he has contributed over half of the team’s extra-base hits this season, compared to just 12 in 2023. Last season, Baez struggled, posting a line of .210/.306/.333 with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 160 plate appearances across 40 games, resulting in a wRC+ of 71. In terms of exit velocity, Baez’s average of 92 mph is notable; for context, New York Yankees standout Juan Soto ranks fourth in MLB with an average exit velocity of 96.4 mph this season.
The next four-plus months will be crucial in determining the validity of Baez’s early performance. If he continues to excel, it could propel him significantly higher on the Mets’ prospect rankings and potentially open up more opportunities for him within the organization.
