Mets Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 1-10

For an overview of the process I use to grade players, the factors I use in determining where a player ranks, and other frequently asked questions, please click here. All grades are subject to change.You can find a full listing of the Top 50 Prospects of 2010 Archive Page.  I will be releasing the rest of the list soon.

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1. Fernando Martinez | CF | AA | Age – 21 | Drafted – IFA 2005 (B+)

Still the Mets number 1 for me. He is just 21 and put up a great line of .290/.337/.540 in AAA before being called up. If a college draft pick went to AAA and put up that line he would probably be a top 10 prospect and Martinez gets over looked.  He was rushed to the bigs, but watch for him in 2010 if he can have a healthy season.

Best Case Outcome – Middle of the order bat with good defense

More Likely Outcome – Solid everyday player with 1-2 all-star appearances

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	BABIP	ISO
Buffalo Bisons	176	24	16	8	28	.290	.337	.540	.319	.250
New York Mets	91	11	6	1	8	.176	.242	.275	.197	.099
TOTAL	267	35	22	9	36	.251	.304	.449	.274	.199

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2. Jenrry Mejia | SP | AA | Age – 20 | Drafted – IFA 2006 (B+)

The prize arm in the Mets system Mejia has a great fastball to go along with an average an average change-up and developing curve.  Nice all around numbers on the season.

Best Case Outcome – Ace starter/All-Star Closer

More Likely Outcome – Good #3/Set-up man

TEAM	W-L	ERA	G/GS	IP	SO	BB	GB%	FIP
St. Lucie Mets	4-1	1.97	9/9	50.1	44	16	68%	2.52
Binghamton Mets	0-5	4.47	10/10	44.1	48	23	59%	3.49
TOTAL	4-6	3.14	19/19	94.2	91	39	64%	2.95

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3. Ike Davis | 1B | AA | Age – 22 | Drafted – 1st Round 2008 (B+)

Ike has all the physical tools and showed them off in 2009 with a .298 average and 20 home runs in A+ and AA.  The best part of his season was that he didn’t slow down after the promotion he improved. An aggressive ranking, but I believe in his bat.

Best Case Outcome – Slugging first baseman with great defense

More Likely Outcome – League Average first baseman with great defense.

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	.AVG	.OBP	.SLG	.BABIP	.ISO
St. Lucie Mets	222	28	17	7	28	.288	.376	.486	.348	.198
Binghamton Mets	207	30	14	13	43	.309	.386	.565	.381	.256
TOTAL	429	58	31	20	71	.298	.381	.524	.365	.226

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4. Jon Niese | SP | MLB | Age – 23 | Drafted – 7th Round 2005 (B)

Gets over looked a lot because of lack of elite velocity (89.4 avg velo), but his outstanding curve and cutter that is already becoming a plus pitch will set him up for great success.

Best Case Outcome – #2 starter in the mold of Andy Pettitte.

More Likely Outcome – Good #4 starter.

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	.AVG	.OBP	.SLG	.BABIP	.ISO
St. Lucie Mets	222	28	17	7	28	.288	.376	.486	.348	.198
Binghamton Mets	207	30	14	13	43	.309	.386	.565	.381	.256
TOTAL	429	58	31	20	71	.298	.381	.524	.365	.226

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5. Wilmer Flores | SS | LoA | Age – 18 | Drafted – IFA 2007 (B)

This season was a little bit of a disappointment from Flores, especially in the power department, but being such a young age in LoA he gets some slack.

Best Case Outcome – Top-3 offensive left fielder

More Likely Outcome – Top-15 offensive left fielder

TEAM	W-L	ERA	G/GS	IP	SO	BB	GB%	FIP
Buffalo Bisons	5-6	3.82	16/16	94.1	82	26	56%	3.38
New York Mets	1-1	4.21	5/5	25.2	18	9	46%	3.21
TOTAL	6-7	3.90	21/21	120.0	100	35	51%	3.28

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6. Brad Holt | SP | AA | Age – 23 | Drafted – 1st Round 2008 (B-)

Most people are worried about the showing Holt put up in AA. He was dealing with some injuries, dominated A+, and his K rate was still pretty solid, but it was his control that hurt him.  The control would also correlate with him being injured.

Best Case Outcome – #2 starter

More Likely Outcome – #4 starter/set-up man

TEAM	W-L	ERA	G/GS	IP	SO	BB	GB%	FIP
St. Lucie Mets	4-1	3.12	9/9	43.1	54	13	37%	3.15
Binghamton Mets	3-6	6.21	11/11	58.0	45	23	37%	4.96
TOTAL	7-7	4.90	19/19	101.1	99	39	37%	4.20

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7. Reese Havens | 2B | HiA | Age – 23 | Drafted – 1st Round 2008 (B-)

He was pretty unlucky last year with a .272 BABIP I fully expect his average to go up.  Doesn’t strike out too much, gets a good amount of walks, has enough speed to up the steals, and provides good power.  He also provides those intangibles you look for in all good ballplayers.  Will be interesting to see how he adjusts to 2nd base.

Best Case Outcome – Above-average second baseman who gets 1 or 2 all-star appearances on career years.

More Likely Outcome – Solid MLB starter.

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	.AVG	.OBP	.SLG	BABIP	ISO
St. Lucie Mets	360	53	19	14	52	.247	.361	.422	.272	.175
TOTAL	360	53	19	14	52	.247	.361	.422	.272	.175

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8. Kyle Allen | SP | LoA | Age – 20 | Drafted – 24th Round 2008 (B-)

After a great rookie performance I had him pegged as a personal favorite/sleeper and boy he didn’t disappoint.  He has a great Fastball/Change-up combination and if he can develop a 3rd plus pitch he can become great.

Best Case Outcome – #3 starter

More Likely Outcome – #4 starter

TEAM	W-L	ERA	G/GS	IP	SO	BB	GB%	FIP
Savannah Sand Gnats	9-6	3.45	25/19	125.1	111	51	59%	3.74
TOTAL	9-6	3.45	25/19	125.1	111	51	59%	3.74

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9. Josh Thole | C | MLB | Age – 23 | Drafted – 13th Round 2005 (C+)

He has to be cut some slack for his defense.  He has turned into a decent fielder for the amount of time he has been behind the plate and seems to make improvements each year. He will never hit for power, but as a catcher with his average and walks he should be fine.

Best Case Outcome – slight above-average MLB catcher

More Likely Outcome – average MLB catcher

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	BABIP	ISO
Binghamton Mets	384	48	29	1	46	.328	.395	.422	.349	.094
New York Mets	53	2	2	0	9	.321	.356	.396	.340	.075
TOTAL	437	50	31	1	55	.327	.394	.419	.348	.092

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10. Kirk Nieuwenhuis | CF | AA | Age – 22 | Drafted – 3rd Round 2008 (C+)

Simply had a great 2009.  He is a big kid and the power he has been showing is for real. Has enough speed to stick at center, but his arm is a little weak and that is the only thing I could see moving him to a corner spot.  So far the jump to AA went amazing and it will be nice to see if he can continue it.  Needs to cut down on K’s.

Best Case Outcome – Above-average center fielder in the mold of Aaron Rowand.

More Likely Outcome – Solid MLB center fielder.

TEAM	AB	R	2B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	BABIP	ISO
St. Lucie Mets	482	91	35	16	71	.276	.358	.469	.336	.193
Binghamton Mets	32	8	3	1	2	.406	.472	.656	.545	.250
TOTAL	514	99	38	1	73	.284	.366	.481	.348	.196

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Related posts:

1. Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #41-50
2. Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #31-40
3. Mets Top Prospects: Prospects #21-30
4. Mets Top 50 Prospects: Prospects 11-20
5. Scouting Report: Wilmer Flores, SS