Top 12 prospects for 2012: #3

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Welcome to the sixth installment of the UpAlongFirst.com official prospect list. Here is number three.

3. Brandon Nimmo-  OF

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 185

THROWS: R         BATS: L

BORN:

COLLEGE: none

ACQUIRED: 13^th pick (1^st round) of 2011 draft

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Hear that? That’s the sound of Brandon Nimmo in his barn out in Wyoming, hitting baseballs against the walls.

The Mets and Sandy Alderson made a move like few Mets GMs have mad in the past: drafting someone with potential. Let’s face it. Brandon Nimmo is a huge risk. He is only 18 years old and didn’t even play high school baseball!

Nimmo was picked 13^th overall in the 2011 draft. He has a very unique baseball background. Nimmo never played high school baseball because his school didn’t have a team. Instead, he played American Legion locally, and tore the cover off the ball. In his last season, he hit .448 with 15 bombs and 34 steals in 34 tries in 70 games. Say what you will about the fact that those are American Legion numbers, but this pick is all about potential. Nimmo is a left-handed hitter with a sweet, smooth swing, who is supposed to develop power as his career progresses. He also has some speed, as I alluded to earlier, but is also a decent fielder. An all-around five-tool player by all accounts.

Sandy Alderson made the move for Nimmo because he wanted to change the culture. Yes, one player is a small step, but Alderson wants to put together an organization filled with raw talent, not just some five-year college pitcher who has a decent “floor,” but a ceiling equivalent to Aaron Heilman. Nimmo is a risk, but a risk that must be taken.

Here are Nimmo’s numbers in his very short minor league stint:

I really hope Nimmo develops into the player that is expected, although if he doesn’t, at least Sandy Alderson tried, instead of taking the easy way out.

The list so far (click to view posts):

3. Brandon Nimmo

4. Jeurys Familia

5. Jenrry Mejia

6. Wilmer Flores

7. Reese Havens

8. Kirk Nieuwenhuis

9. Cesar Puello

10.Darin Gorski

11.Michael Fulmer

12.Cory Vaughn

Come back on Wednesday as we reveal number two!