The Mets’ 2016 draft class has shown early on that it has the team’s DNA — injuries are an inherited trait.
Nearly a full year after the draft and about two weeks before this year’s edition, the freshest faces around the Mets’ farm system are worn. First-round pitcher Justin Dunn is healthy, but has endured struggles; another first-round arm, Anthony Kay, is on the mend following Tommy John surgery in October; third-round pick Blake Tiberi, a third baseman, had Tommy John in early May; fifth-round selection Colby Woodmansee played in two games this season before a core muscle tear; and sixth-rounder Chris Viall hasn’t thrown an inning after offseason elbow surgery.
One of the biggest immediate surprises of the class, 19th-round reliever Gary Cornish, struck out 44 in 25 innings at Single-A last year — before being suspended 50 games for testing positive for amphetamines.
It’s been an inauspicious start for a class that was designed to replenish a system hollowed out by trades and graduations to the big leagues.
“We’ve just had some guys injured, and we’re excited to start getting those guys back on the field,” said Mets director of minor league operations Ian Levin, who added in summary, “I’m very happy with the returns of the draft so far.”
Kay is still on track for a 2018 return, Levin said. But his first-round complement, Dunn, who went No. 19 overall, has perplexed after a promising debut with short-season Brooklyn last year. The 21-year-old right-hander from Boston College had been battered (6.89 ERA) with High-A St. Lucie until he was moved to the bullpen last month — a switch to “pull him back a little bit,” Levin said.
“I think it’s somewhat natural what he’s gone through,” St. Lucie manager Chad Kreuter said. “A lot of guys that either sign a big contract at the major league level or being a first-rounder, a high draft pick, place undue pressure on themselves. … Some guys work through it real well, some guys try to do too much.”
Dunn, in describing himself on the mound, said: “I’m kind of an attack pitcher, I like to come at people with everything I’ve got. I think I’m better than you and I’m going to knock the bat out of your hands.”
Dunn, in describing himself thus far this year, said: “I was the complete opposite of what I just said.”
He felt the burden of leapfrogging Low-A Columbia to pitch with High-A St. Lucie. And for the first time in his life, he was doubting himself. Easing off Dunn, the Freeport, “New Yawk,” native, he joked, has resulted in 11 relief innings of one-run ball for the hard-throwing sinker-baller.
“I’m just going out and having fun again,” said Dunn, whom the Mets “absolutely” view as a starter. “I’m laughing on the mound, I’ve got my swagger back.”
Also finding his swagger and lifting a struggling class is shortstop Michael Paez. The Mets’ fourth-round pick was overwhelmed in his welcome to professional baseball, hitting just .190 in 46 games in Brooklyn last year. But the Coastal Carolina product has grown into expectations with Columbia. He’s walking more, making more consistent contact and putting all 5-foot-8, 175 pounds into each swing.
“Last year, I feel like I was trying to do way too much, to press even though I didn’t need to,” said Paez, 22. “I went into Brooklyn feeling I needed to prove why I was a fourth-round draft pick.”
This year, he’s relaxed, slashing .280/.375/.497 and adding six steals. And, he hopes, showing the Mets he can play like his idol — to whom, given the height, even his coach likened him.
“He doesn’t get cheated at the plate. He goes out there and takes big hacks for a little guy – he reminds me a little of [Jose] Altuve the way he goes out and swings the bat just like a big man would,” Columbia manager Jose Leger said. “He’s pretty confident at the plate, and he’s one of our best hitters right now.”
The Mets have been shifting Paez around the infield at second, third and short, and he added he can play center field, too.
“He’s got a good idea of what he’s doing at the plate. Good idea of what he’s doing overall,” Levin said. “Very advanced, mature player. He’s shown well so far.”
He’s shown well because he’s been able to. For so many of the Mets’ 2016 class, just being able to show up has been an issue.