2016 Draft Report Card: New York Mets

BEST PURE HITTER: New York selected pitchers with its two first-round picks. 1B Peter Alonso (2) proved himself offensively at Florida, then hit batted .321 in his debut for short-season Brooklyn. OF Gene Cone (10) excelled in the Southeastern Conference this spring, batting .363 and walking more often than he struck out, though his performance was lighter in pro ball.

BEST POWER: Alonso has easy plus raw power, with some evaluators grading the tool as a 70. He can drive the ball out to any part of the ballpark.

FASTEST RUNNER: New York didn’t focus on acquiring speed. SS Michael Paez (4) and Cone are both average runners, but don’t project as game-changers on the basepaths.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Colby Woodmansee (5) is a steady defender at shortstop, though he isn’t the most explosive or lithe defender. Alonso receives praise for his defense at first base. C Dan Rizzie has solid catch and throw skills.

BEST FASTBALL: Dunn’s fastball can reach as high as 98 in a starter’s role. 6-foot-9 RHP Chris Viall (6) has size and elite velocity, though his command and control will need refinement for the pitch to play more consistently.

BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Dunn’s slider earns plus grades as a hard vertical snapper. LHP Anthony Kay (1s) has an outstanding changeup with late fading action, though he does throw it from a lower arm slot.

BEST PRO DEBUT: Dunn was on a tight leash in order to limit his innings count, but he performed exceptionally well, striking out 35 and walking 10 in 30 innings while compiling a 1.50 ERA. Alonso also excelled before a broken finger ended his season, slashing .321/.382/.587 in more than 120 plate appearances. RHP Gary Cornish (19) posted a 44-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio at short-season Brooklyn.

BEST ATHLETE: RHP Justin Dunn (1) has a loose, athletic delivery with explosiveness and quick-twitch ability.

MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: LHP Placido Torres (8) was born in the Dominican Republic, then grew up in New Jersey. He excelled at ASA College in New York before transferring to Tusculum (Tenn.), where he posted an 0.70 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7-to-1.

CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Dunn has shown the ability to command four pitches and he could move quickly. Kay seemed like a candidate to move quickly, but he needed Tommy John surgery after signing. Alonso’s offensive upside and polish at first base could allow him to find early success in the low minors.

BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Cameron Planck (11) is strong and physical, and he’s shown the ability to run his fastball into the mid-90s and he’s flashed a promising slider. RHP Matt Cleveland (12) has an ideal pitcher’s body and has reached the mid-90s with his fastball.

THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: New York took a shot at 2B/OF Carlos Cortes (20), one of the best pure hitters in the class, but he ultimately ended up honoring his South Carolina commitment. RHP Alex Haynes (29) has arm strength and a projectable body, as does RHP George Kirby (32). Haynes ended up at Walters State (Tenn.) and Kirby went to Elon.