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| Top 10 Mets Prospects! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 18 2004, 08:25 PM (38 Views) | |
| Chilli Cheese | Nov 18 2004, 08:25 PM Post #1 |
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Top 10 mets prospects (Foxsports) For those interested: System Strengths: Despite the graduation of David Wright and the trades of Scott Kazmir and Justin Huber, the Mets still have a modestly strong system at the moment. Good positional depth and a couple of high-ceiling arms. System Weaknesses: Pitching depth. Overall Ranking: 15th 1. Yusmeiro Petit, RHP, Age: 19 In 213 innings, Yusmeiro Petit has fanned 285 and walked only 51, which comes to a stellar strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.6. (Brian Bahr / FS) Petit, a Venezuelan product, doesn't wow scouts with his stuff, but the results are unassailable. He throws three pitches - a low-90s fastball, change and curve - for strikes. He's blown away the competition at every stop, and this past season he dominated the Sally and Florida State Leagues and even held his own after a promotion to AA-Binghamton. For his career, in 213 innings he's fanned 285 and walked only 51, which comes to a stellar strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.6. He'll need to stay healthy and prove himself in the higher levels, but there's lots to like about him as a prospect. 2. Lastings Milledge, OF, Age: 19 The Mets drafted Milledge out of a Florida high school with the 12th overall pick of the 2003 draft. He's a fast runner, and he has good bat speed and arm strength. His defensive instincts in center were raw at first, but he's making good progress in that regard. After signing, he struggled in the rookie-level Appalachian League, but he had a breakout year in 2004. In the Sally League, where he was younger than his peer group, he hit .337 AVG/.399 OBP/.569 SLG and generally appeared much more poised and relaxed. He struggled after a late-season promotion to the FSL, but that's hardly an indictment for someone so young playing in one of the toughest hitter's circuits around. Keep your eye on him. Right now, I'd say he projects as a Preston Wilson-type, but he could be better than that. 3. Victor Diaz, 2B, Age: 22 The Mets acquired Diaz from the Dodgers as part of the Jeromy Burnitz swap of 2003. He's making the Dodgers regret making that move. Coming into this season, Diaz was a .318 career hitter with good gap power numbers. This season, playing for AAA-Norfolk, he hit .292 with 24 homers, which is a significant jump in home run production for him. He has a stocky build, which leads some to believe he won't maintain the range needed to stick at second, but his bat figures to carry him wherever he plays. If he improves his plate discipline, he'll be a much better hitter. As is, though, he's a fine prospect. 4. Aaron Baldiris, 2B, Age: 21 The Mets signed Baldiris in 1999 as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela. He hits for average and has very strong plate discipline; however, he lacks the power and the arm that most major league organizations want from a third baseman. Not to mention, his path is blocked by future MVP David Wright. A move to second is possible, perhaps even likely, since he has the range to handle the middle infield. If he does move to second, his path will then be blocked by Kaz Matsui and Victor Diaz, so Baldiris' quickest path to the majors may be as a utility infielder. With his on-base skills, he could be a good one in that role. 5. Mike Jacobs, C, Age: 23 The organization had such faith in Jacobs that they traded Justin Huber, their presumptive top catching prospect, to Kansas City. Jacobs in 2003 slugged a robust .549 at AA-Binghamton, but battled shoulder problems toward the end of the year. Nerve damage in that same shoulder limited him to 27 ineffective games at Triple-A this past season. He has a powerful left-handed swing and hits to all fields (with good opposite-field power). Still, he's facing a critical year in 2005. He needs to prove his shoulder is well and that it hasn't affected his swing. He'll also need to shore up his defense if he's going to replace Mike Piazza behind the plate in New York. 6. Philip Humber, RHP, Age: 21 At this writing, Humber, a Rice product and the Mets' top overall pick of the June draft, is still unsigned. However, a deal could be in the offing. If he is signed, he'll give the Mets a polished college arm who can be placed squarely on the organizational fast track. He has command of a mid-90s fastball, 12-6 curve and a splitter than he uses as his off-speed pitch. He projects as a strong number-three starter in the majors. 7. Ian Bladergroen, 1B, Age: 21 In 2002, the Mets drafted Bladergroen out of Lamar Community College with the 1,314th overall pick. Yeah, the 1,314th overall pick. After signing, he had a decent showing in the short-season NY-Penn League, but he busted out last year in the Sally League. In 72 games, Bladergroen hit .342 AVG/.397 OBP/.595 SLG. The power seems to be for real - scouts like the loft in his swing and his bat speed - but the plate discipline is lacking. Still, those are mighty impressive numbers. On the downside, he missed the final two months of the season because of torn wrist ligaments. That's the kind of injury that can permanently dampen a young hitter's power stroke. To say the least, 2005 will be a critical year for him. 8. Brett Harper, 1B, Age: 23 Harper, the son of former major league outfielder Brian Harper, was a 45th-round choice in 2000, and he's already looking like a steal. He broke out last season, slugging .564 and posting a .440 OBP in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. He was less impressive after a promotion to AA-Binghamton, but it was only a 45-game data sample. At the very least, he's now on the organizational radar, which is a bit of a feat for a 45th-round draft pick. He'll need to show he can adapt to high-minors competition in the upcoming season. At the very least, he's one to pull for. 9. Royce Ring, LHP, Age: 23 Ring, a San Diego State product, was the linchpin, from the Mets' perspective, of the Roberto Alomar trade with the White Sox in 2003. Although he's a lefty, Ring has been drafted and developed with an eye toward making him a closer one day. He throws a fastball that sits at 90 but has good movement and a slider that's tough on lefties. At present, he's not showing the kind of dominance you'd like to see from a future closer, so his future may be as a lefty setup man. With his slider, he could be a good one, but lefty specialists are by nature not that valuable. 10. Craig Brazell, 1B, Age: 24 A fifth-rounder out of high school in 1998, Brazell has great raw power and can crush fastballs. On the downside, he has terrible plate discipline and isn't a strong defender. He's beginning a transition to the outfield, but it's possible his glove won't be adequate there. He did 23 homers this past season (giving him 97 for his minor league career), but that .300 OBP simply won't do. Unless he improves his plate discipline, he won't be a regular in the majors |
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| VICTORious | Nov 18 2004, 08:31 PM Post #2 |
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my favorites: PETIT humber diaz ring people who shouldnt be on the list: jacobs ring |
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| Chilli Cheese | Nov 18 2004, 08:33 PM Post #3 |
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Jacobs should definitely be on the list. I agree with you on Ring. Ambiorix Concepcion should be on the list. |
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| timotime | Nov 18 2004, 08:37 PM Post #4 |
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It's not a very good list. Conception and a couple other guys should be on that list. Not to mention the fact that Diaz split last season between 3b and OF, not 2b. |
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| FloydNbunch | Nov 18 2004, 08:39 PM Post #5 |
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Does WrightNbunch sound good?
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When Craig Brazell is as high as 10, there are problems |
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| TheOne | Nov 18 2004, 11:46 PM Post #6 |
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I'm still better than you!
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it isn't a bad list but it isn't a great one either, i do agree with CC though, concepcion should definitely be on the list, ring can go to hell, he sure went down the shitter quickly!!! |
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