Exploring the Rise of Mets Prospect Drew Gilbert: A Look into His Journey and Talent

Getting to Know Mets Prospect Drew Gilbert

A Rising Star in the Mets Minor League System

Drew Gilbert, the main piece in the Justin Verlander deal, has quickly become the best prospect in the Mets minor league system. As a center fielder with high-end offensive potential, Gilbert has already reached Double-A, making him a promising player for the future of the Mets organization.

Despite his impressive performance at the University of Tennessee, where he had a batting average of .362, an on-base percentage of .455, and a slugging percentage of .673 in his junior year, Gilbert was not widely regarded as an elite prospect. MLB Pipeline ranked him at 32, while Baseball Prospectus had him slightly higher at 17. Some MLB teams may have been deterred by Gilbert’s short stature, as he stands at just 5’7″. Consequently, Gilbert fell to the 28th pick in the draft, where he was selected by the Astros.

From Unknown to Dominant

Since joining the Astros organization, Gilbert has consistently impressed with his hitting ability. He had a remarkable 4-game stint post-draft, where he showcased his abilities by hitting the ball extremely hard. Despite a dislocated elbow that ended his season prematurely, Gilbert continued to prove his talent in Single-A.

At the beginning of the 2023 season, Gilbert started in High-A, and once again, he dominated the competition. In just 21 games, he had a 192 wRC+ and showed his power at the plate. This performance earned him a promotion to Double-A, where he has faced more challenges, maintaining a batting line of .241/.342/.371, with 6 home runs in 264 plate appearances. However, Gilbert’s performance has been hampered by lingering elbow issues that have forced him to DH at times.

Conflicting Opinions and Rising Stock

Despite his solid performance, there is still some doubt about Gilbert’s potential across the industry. While Baseball Prospectus ranks him 36th overall and praises his power and defensive projection, Baseball America left him off their most recent in-season top 100.

However, it is difficult to understand why there is skepticism surrounding Gilbert. Holding his own in Double-A in his first professional season is an achievement in itself. Moreover, in the month of July, Gilbert has been an above league average hitter. Despite his sometimes overaggressive approach at the plate, he has shown discipline by walking nearly as often as he strikes out in Double-A. His batted ball data, which was elite in college, has also remained strong in his professional career.

Gilbert’s defensive prowess is also worth noting. While a position in center field seems likely, he has the ability to excel defensively in a corner outfield position if needed.

It is clear that Gilbert still has room to grow and make adjustments in the second half of the season at Double-A. With his talent, it is expected that his stock will rise significantly. Joining Luisangel Acuña, another recently acquired prospect, at Double-A Binghamton, Gilbert is poised to receive recognition on top-50 prospect lists in the near future and could potentially become the top prospect in the Mets’ farm system.

Looking Ahead

As the Mets continue to invest in their minor league system, acquiring talented prospects like Drew Gilbert is a step in the right direction. The organization’s emphasis on player development is crucial for sustainable success.

For Gilbert personally, this journey from being overlooked to becoming a rising star is a testament to his determination and resilience. It is a reminder that talent can be found in unexpected places, and prospects should not be solely evaluated based on physical attributes.

As Gilbert navigates through the challenges of professional baseball, it will be interesting to see how he continues to improve and adapt. With his current performance and potential, he could very well be an asset for the Mets in the not-too-distant future.

Overall, Drew Gilbert’s story is a reminder that success in baseball is not always predetermined, and prospects, regardless of their initial rankings, have the ability to surprise and excel in ways that defy expectations.