Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mets Top 10 Prospects
1. Fernando Martinez, of
Fernando Martinez was the top international signing back in 2005 and received a $1.4 million dollar signing bonus as a teenager. He has been rushed through the system playing at AA at the age of 18. F-Mart was impressive in spring, especially against lefties, and has played well so far in his career. He has great bat speed, which produces his power, and hits for a high average. He can steal the occasional base, but with likely have to move to right field from where is right now in center.
Potential: All-star RF with 25+, .290+ AVG, and 10+ steals
2. Jonathan Niese, lhp
Niese is a pretty big fellow at 6'4, but is not overpowering. He features a 89-92 fastball, a good change, and his bread and butter pitch a filthy curve. Niese's success comes off his fastball, but he can have control issues with it and his bad games result from. Because of his height there is still a change he gets that fastball in the 93-94 range and if he does watch out. He has that "it" factor and is just a gamer.
Potential: #2.5 starter
Carp burst on to the scene two years ago, but after a dismal season last year did not even make many prospect lists, however, after an amazing start to this season he has shown he can hit lefties and hit for power. He is still young (21) so he still has some projection, but not as much as two years ago.
Potential: Solid starter, nothing special
Kunz was the Mets 1st round draft pick last year coming out of Oregon State. He throws from a sidearm slot with a 93-95 sinking fastball, 84-86 mph slider, and low 80's change. His fastball and slider are overpowering pitches, while his change-up is an average pitch a best.
Potential: Closer
Rustich is a big power pitcher who features a 92-96 mph fastball, 82-85 mph slider, and a below average change-up. He had control and injury problems as a closer at UCLA, but because of his fastball/slider combo the Mets were thinking of making him a starter, but arm problems delayed that.
Potential: #3 starter or 8th inning set-up man
Vineyard is another '07 draftee out of HS. He possesses a 87-90 mph fastball with projection to add more, his best pitch the slider sits around 83 and racked him up the K's, and his change-up needs work to be successful. His progress will be delayed as he had season ending surgery on his arm.
Potential: #3 starter
Tejada does not have the best tools, but he knows how to play (ala Dustin Pedroia, David Eckstein, Jed Lowrie) He has great plate discipline, great defense, great speed, and hits it to the gaps. He is the kind of player that when he comes to th majors is a fan favorite.
Potential: Prototypical #2 hitter (SS/2nd)
Parnell is one of the pitchers with good stuff, but horrible control. He used to be a shortstop, but his 94 mph fastball and filthy slider moved him into the rotation. His fastball has good sinking motion and his slider late break. He needs to develop a 3rd pitch to become a successful big league starter. I have some concerns about his mechanics that seem similar to Rich Harden's.
Potential: #4 starter or Set-up man
9. Wilmer Flores, SS
Flores is a big kid for a 17-year-old at 6'3, but is really skinny only weighing 175 lbs. He has great-raw power, has average speed on the base paths, and is a plus defender. He was a top Latin signee so he has yet to play in the States. Needs to add some weight and muscle to reach full potential.
Potential: Power hitting SS/3rd baseman with decent speed
Evans has been a pretty consistent hitter in the system. He was a 3rd baseman, but with D.Wright there was no need for him there so he moved to 1st. A platoon of him and Mike Carp in Binghimton has forced him to try the outfield out. For him to make the big leagues he has to continue to hit like he has.
Potential: MLB starter on a pretty bad team (ala Kevin Millar right now)
