Tejada placed on the DL, Quintanilla called up

The Mets have placed shortstop Ruben Tejada on the 15 day disabled list following an injured quad that he suffered on Wednesday. The team has called up middle infielder Omar Quintanilla to take his place on the roster. The team has also shifted pitcher Frank Francisco to the 60 day disabled list.

Tejada was in a major slump and I wouldn't be surprised if the organization lets him take his time once he begins rehabbing. If he wants to be part of this team's future, then he is going to need to start hitting and being more aggressive on the basepaths. I understand that he will never be Jose Reyes, but most shortstops generally have above-average speed, and since Tejada is not that way the Mets have had trouble with him in the lead-off spot. Anyway I expect him to be back sometime in the next 2-3 weeks, and hopefully he finds his swing.

As for Quintanilla, he did a nice job filling in for Tejada last year, and will probably be an upgrade. He is above-average defensively, and is capable of knocking in his fair share of hits, so I look forward to seeing what he can do with this opportunity. The problem is, if he struggles and the Mets decide to send him back to the minor leagues, he is out of options and will likely be claimed off of waivers.

Finally, as for Frank Francisco, the guy has been a complete bust while in a Mets uniform, and he is one of the few bad signings that Sandy Alderson has made since taking over as the GM a few years ago. I'm glad that Bobby Parnell is finally running away with the closer's job, because if Francisco was here, he would certainly not be happy in the setup role.

Checking in on the Mets top 10 prospects

10. Pitcher Michael Fulmer 

Grade: INC 

Should end the season in: Double-A

Fulmer underwent knee surgery on a torn meniscus in March, and should be ready to return to baseball action sometime within the next few weeks.

9. Pitcher Luis Mateo

Grade: INC

Should end the season in: Double-A

Mateo has had elbow problems this season that have limited him to two starts. The injury problems have kept him on the disabled list since April, and have really held back his development in the minor leagues. If he manages to come back healthy and have a decent season, he will probably end the year in Double-A. 

8. Pitcher Rafael Montero

Grade: A-

Should end the season in: Triple-A

Montero has been fantastic in Double-A, posting a 3.08 ERA in 9 starts. He also has a sparkling 1.4 BB/9 ratio and 10.6 K/9 ratio. The organization is starting to realize how good Montero can be, and he is quickly becoming the team's 2nd best pitching prospect behind Zack Wheeler. If Montero continues his success, look for him to be in Triple-A and possibly make a spot start or two for the club in September. 

7. Third Baseman Wilmer Flores

Grade: B-

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Flores has been hyped up throughout his entire minor league career, but has bounced around between positions. He is listed as a third baseman, but is capable of playing second base, first base, and the corner outfield positions. It is very clear that he can hit, and he should have an extended look in the outfield sometime later in the season. Keep in mind that he is still only 21 years old, so perhaps more seasoning in Triple-A would be the best route to go. 

6. Shortstop Gavin Cecchini 

Grade: INC

Should end the season in: Single-A

Cecchini's season has not started yet, so it is impossible to give him a grade. However, he is still 19 years old and the organization will be extremely cautious with him. He had a brief stint with Single-A last season, and giving him a full season of development at that level will be the best course of action right now. 

5. Pitcher Jeurys Familia

Grade: B- 

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Familia was off to a decent start but tendinitis in his biceps landed him on the disabled list back in April. Besides some command issues, Familia has all of the tools to be a fantastic pitcher in the game. He has swing-and-miss velocity, causing him to put up great strikeout numbers. He will most likely end the season in the bullpen, but I believe there is a possibility that he becomes a solid setup man sometime down the road.

4. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo

Grade: A+

Should end the season in: Double-A

Nimmo has had a fantastic start with Single-A Savannah, hitting .322 with a .421 on-base percentage. The Mets will take their time with Nimmo's development, but his numbers speak for themselves, and if he finishes the season in Double-A there's a chance that he could make his MLB debut as soon as 2015. 

3. Pitcher Noah Syndergaard

Grade: A+

Should end the season in: Double-A

Syndergaard seemed to be a tad bit overlooked in the R.A. Dickey trade, but right now he is making Sandy Alderson look like a genius. He has posted a 2.86 ERA in 9 Single-A starts, and is making quite some noise throughout the organization. At 20 years old, he still has a few years of development left, but it is possible that we could see him in Queens sometime around the end of the 2015 season.

2. Pitcher Zack Wheeler

Grade: B+

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

Wheeler has been regarded as a future ace throughout his entire minor league career. Some people believe that he is ready for the big leagues right now, but I am very concerned about his walk ratio. The 3.7 BB/9 ratio is nothing to be taken lightly, and hopefully it is something he can fix in the minor leagues. However, he will definitely make his MLB debut very soon -- perhaps in two or three weeks --. and hopefully he sticks with the team for the rest of the season. 

1. Catcher Travis d'Arnaud

Grade: B-

Should end the season in: Major Leagues

d'Arnaud started the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, but unfortunately broke his foot and will still be in a walking boot for the next few weeks. If he didn't hurt himself, he would have easily been with the big league club by now. If I had to guess, I'd say d'Arnaud will spend a week or two in Triple-A when he completes his rehab assignment, and he will be the starting catcher for the Mets by the All-Star break.