Gabriel Ynoa

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #9 prospect in 2017
  Ynoa has attracted attention for his sharp control and smooth delivery since his days at short-season Brooklyn. He won pitcher-of-the-year honors in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2013 and in three subsequent seasons averaged 150 innings and 1.9 walks per nine innings while climbing to Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016. He made his big league debut in August, which included three spot starts in September. Ynoa relies on pitch movement, control and changing speeds to succeed. He pitches with an average fastball at 93 mph that features heavy sinking and tailing action. He mixes two- and four-seam fastballs at velocities ranging from 85-95 mph to keep hitters off balance. Ynoa's 83-85 mph slider has developed into an above-average neutralizer that generates both swinging strikes and ground balls with its quick, late tilt. His above-average mid-80s changeup features late drop and some fading action. Ynoa exhibits focus on the mound and knows how to read opponents' swings, yet he struck out just 4.5 per nine innings at Triple-A. Some scouts project future growth for Ynoa based on his clean mechanics. Evaluators who like Ynoa see a No. 4 starter, while those who don't project him to a swingman or relief role.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #13 prospect in 2016
  Added to the 40-man roster following the 2014 season, Ynoa continued to average about one walk per start as he spent 2015 at Double-A Binghamton. The control artist never has walked even 2.0 batters per nine innings in a season, though he probably pitches around the plate too much, for his other peripheral rates continue to decline as he advances. Many scouts regard Ynoa's control as a present plus attribute, even if none of his individual pitches approach that territory. He ranges from 90-94 mph with his average fastball, and he sits at 91 with good movement and sink. Ynoa throws two secondary pitches that will flash average at times. His mid-80s changeup is his go-to offspeed pitch, but he would begin to miss more bats if he can generate more action on his mid-80s slider. Ynoa throws plenty of strikes but doesn't always hit his spots, so improving his command also would help his secondary pitches play up. He exhibits control of his emotions and stands poised on the mound, which coupled with a three-pitch mix could make him a future No. 4 starter. He will continue to work as a starter as he moves to Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #16 prospect in 2015
  Ynoa's games started have outnumbered his walks issued in each of his five pro seasons, and precise control once again served as his defining characteristic in 2014 as he split the season between high Class A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. He surrendered much more hard contact this time around, however, when opposing batters proved to be only too eager to see the ball consistently located in the zone. Tall, lean and in control of his emotions on the mound, Ynoa must sharpen command of his above-average, riding 92-94 mph fastball that bumps 96 to induce more weak contact and better set up his secondary pitches. He sells his plus changeup with clean mechanics and picturesque arm speed, and while his low- 80s slider bumps average on occasion, he doesn't get enough velocity or depth on the pitch to serve him as a strikeout pitch. With his mound presence and precocious control, Ynoa reminds the Mets of Rafael Montero, and like him he faces a probable future as a No. 4-type starter or useful reliever.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #15 prospect in 2014
  The low Class A Savannah pitching staff led the full-season minors with 4.3 strikeouts for every walk in 2013, and Ynoa was a major reason for that gaudy ratio. He issued fewer walks per nine innings (1.1) than any qualified minor league starter in 2013, pulling down the South Atlantic League's pitcher of the year award. Tall and lean, Ynoa has a quiet delivery and a quiet demeanor that sees him through good times and bad. His two-seam fastball sits in the low 90s with sink, and he can bump his four-seamer up to 94 mph with riding life to his arm side. Ynoa's go-to secondary pitch is a double-plus changeup that batters struggle to read because of textbook arm action for the pitch. Scouts want to see a firmer breaking ball before pegging him as more than back-end starter, but some believe he can improve his low-80s slider by simply slowing down his delivery and staying on top of the pitch. He's headed for high Class A St. Lucie in 2014.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #20 prospect in 2013
  Though he didn't post strikeout rates as gaudy as those of Brooklyn teammates Luis Mateo, Rainy Lara and Hansel Robles last year, Ynoa was the youngest of the bunch (19 all season) and shows the most room for growth. One Mets official said Ynoa has the smoothest, most efficient delivery in the system, while scouts laud him for strong control that could grade as well above-average one day. A lean 6-foot-2, he has plenty of room to fill out and add velocity to his sinking 88-92 mph fastball. Using a high three-quarters arm slot, Ynoa works the ball down to both sides of the plate to generate weak contact early in counts. His average changeup keeps batters off his fastball. His below-average slider needs to be tightened, and he has the aptitude to make it happen. He's attentive and shows an advanced ability to attack batters' weak spots. Given his control and room for improvement, Ynoa might be the system's top sleeper pitching prospect. He has mid-rotation potential and will get his first taste of full-season ball with Savannah in April.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Ynoa has attracted attention for his sharp control and smooth delivery since his days at short-season Brooklyn. He won pitcher-of-the-year honors in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2013 and in three subsequent seasons averaged 150 innings and 1.9 walks per nine innings while climbing to Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016. He made his big league debut in August, which included three spot starts in September. Scouting Report: Ynoa relies on pitch movement, control and changing speeds to succeed. He pitches with an average fastball at 93 mph that features heavy sinking and tailing action. He mixes two- and four-seam fastballs at velocities ranging from 85-95 mph to keep hitters off balance. Ynoa's 83-85 mph slider has developed into an above-average neutralizer that generates both swinging strikes and ground balls with its quick, late tilt. His above-average mid-80s changeup features late drop and some fading action. Ynoa exhibits focus on the mound and knows how to read opponents' swings, yet he struck out just 4.5 per nine innings at Triple-A. Some scouts project future growth for Ynoa based on his clean mechanics.
  
  The Future: Evaluators who like Ynoa see a No. 4 starter, while those who don't project him to a swingman or relief role. The Mets won't need to make a final decision in 2017 because he has one minor league option remaining.