Prospect Spotlight: Noah Syndergaard

Name: Noah Syndergaard
Age: 21
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 240 lbs
Drafted: Blue Jays, 1st round, 2010 Amateur Draft
Acquired: Via trade 
Throws: Right
Bats: Left

Estimated MLB debut: mid-2014

Where does he currently stand in the minor leagues:

Syndergaard started the 2013 season with the St. Lucie Mets, posting a 3.11 ERA in 12 starts. He also sported a solid 9.0 K/9 ratio with a 2.3 BB/9 clip. He was promoted to the Binghamton Mets in the middle of the season, and went on to put up a 3.00 ERA in 11 starts with them. He also had a 11.5 K/9 and 2.0 K/9 ratio.

What does he project to be?

He projects to be an ace, plain and simple. Syndergaard has everything that an ace would have: a pitchers body, an arsenal of solid pitches, and the work ethic. Scouts have said that Syndergaard could be better than Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, and at 21 years of age, he seems very advanced.

Does he have a long-term role with the Mets?

Syndergaard is, or at least should be, viewed as untouchable this winter. I don't care if the Mets are going after Giancarlo Stanton, I do not want him dealt away: he is the real deal. Syndergaard will likely be promoted to the team mid-season like Zack Wheeler this year. Hopefully he makes a good enough impression during the final half of the season to open some eyes, and give the Mets some much-needed pitching.

Conclusion

The Mets clearly got a steal in the R.A. Dickey trade. The deal was centered around catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, and Sandy Alderson really pushed for Toronto to add in Syndergaard as well. At this point Sandy is looking like the clear cut winner, even with Syndergaard only in Double-A, and d'Arnaud getting a small taste of the big leagues in the final month of the season. Syndergaard seems to be a thought of as the team's third best young hurler behind Harvey and Wheeler, but I'm confident that he has the ability to be better than both of them, and that is saying a lot.