14
2009
Prospect Watch: Ike Davis Makes Grand Debut In AFL
An article by 
Mets first base prospect Ike Davis kicked off the AFL season in grand fashion as Surprise Rafters routed Peo Javelinas Peo Javelinas 17-4.
Davis impressed a host of Mets brass that were all on hand to watch the Arizona native go 4-6 at the plate including two doubles and a mammoth grand slam homerun. Davis has six RBI’s in the game.
According to Adam Rubin, among the Mets in attendance were GM Omar Minaya, assistant GM John Ricco, top deputies Sandy Johnson and Bryan Lambe, Adam Fisher and virtually every professional scout from the organization.
I would have to believe that they were all their to see what they had in Ike Davis as they decide whether they need a one-year stop gap at first base or something more. As I’ve said before, Daniel Murphy is trade fodder and not the solution the Mets are looking for at first base. The Mets may keep him in a role similar to the one Dave Magadan used to have with the team, but I continue to believe he will be included in some sort of trade this off season to help fill another area of concern on the team.
Getting back to Davis, the former first-round pick that came to the Mets as a compensation pick, via the Atlanta Braves when they signed Tom Glavine, has shown an explosive bat and could have overtaken Fernando Martinez as the Mets best hitting prospect.
“It was a blast,” Davis said of his AFL debut. “We have all these different teammates, different jerseys. It felt like kind of an All Star Game.”
Technically for Davis, it was the 24th homer of the season as he belted 20 homeruns between Single-A and Double-A, three more while playing for Team USA in the World Cup last month, and then of course the grand slam in his AFL debut.
Most of you who read this site know of my skepticism regarding many of the prospects the Mets have hyped in the last three years. I questioned all of the Eddie Kunz, Fernando Martinez and Wilmer Flores hype, and couldn’t understand why such mediocre numbers in the minors translated into top prospect status. Sure they have great tools and thus the enthusiasm, but why the lofty expectations?
Ike Davis on the other hand looks polished. He looks real. He looks legit.
Other Mets who played included left fielder Lucas Duda who went 2-5 with a double, two RBI and a walk, and shortstop Ruben Tejada who also went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI double.
Mets top pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia is due to start today’s game, with Scott Moviel, Eric Niesen and Josh Stinson assigned to the bullpen.
One other note, shortstop Reese Havens, will be getting experience at second base during the Arizona Fall League.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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I am sick and tired of hearing poeople defend Murphy at first base. It’s obvioust to the observant Met fan that Ike Davis is the first baseman of the future and that future could come by next years All Star break. So what’s the purpose of keeping Murphy? Are we going to teach him yet another position, lets try catcher this time because God knows we can use one. Geez.
I Like Ike. Ike Davis will hopefully be the first basemen of the future, but he should have at least a productive half season at triple A before he gets the call up. Ike is the reason I don’t want to trade for Adrian Gonzalez. He’s young, cheap, supposed to be a very good fielder, and has a ton of potential. But to the point, the reason for keeping Murphy is as a stopgap. I’d prefer a guy like Nick Johnson or Adam LaRoche on a one year deal, but if not, we may have to live with Murphy and hopefully a platoon partner next year before Ike gets here.
As far as F-Mart and Flores goes, all these non drafted latin players are so hard to predict so all they can go by is their raw talent. Also, they typically sign very young at 16 years old. What happens is that if one of them hits 6-8 homers at 17 or 18, it’s considered a hug accomplishment as they are still growing. So they start getting hyped up at such a young age. By the time they are 20 like F-Mart, you heard their name for so long that you expect to come out hitting like Pujols when the make their debut, but of course that never happens. The worst opast about F-Mart is that after all these years in the Mets system he seemed so devoid of baseball fundamentals. When a guy like Ike Davis comes along fresh from a phenominal college career, it’s easier to set expectations because college baseball is so much more advanced than those latin academies they have in the DR.
I’m like you Joe and am very skeptical of these hyped up prospects. Especially the non drafted international ones.
somebody I know who is connected with division I college baseball says that the latin academies are not about fundamentals—they prepare guys to look good at showcases. now ones that are associated with teams specifically would be more concerned about fundamentals–except for the mets, of course. but a lot of the guys who come out of there are just very ppowerful, or very fast, or have very strong throwing arms—but not a lot of game instincts. some organizations teach these fundamentals and help develop these instincts.
speaking of F-Mart, was he not supposed to come back in 4-6 wks from the arthroscope? This guy is always hurt and he never comes back on time. I thought young guys healed quickly?
For all we know Murphy could be Jason Phillips.
Maybe I’d like Murphy more if he donned those funky goggles. lol
Good Article Joe, but I see murphy defenders coming…LOL
It was nice too see some good news in Mets land.All 3 players had good games even though Tejada struck out twice.Cant wait too see how Mejia does today.Hopefully know matter what these guys do in Arizona the Mets dont rush them?Same with Thole,Holt,Niewenhuis don’t rush them.
Not so fast on Ike please. He struck out on over 25% of his AA at bats. One game in Arizone get our hopes up because we’re desperate.
It’s based on more than one game, he had an outstanding season this year between A+ and AA. The strikeouts are certainly a big concern and is the biggest reason on why he needs a full season in AAA next year. Right now the strikeouts are the only flaw in his game.
Nobody was saying IKE should be starting in April.We are just stating that we have a ligit prospect,and thats exciting.Especially since he hasn’t been overhyped by Omar.I personally am just as excited about Ruben Tejada.Can’t wait to also see Holt,Nieuwenhuis and Thole next year.They are all progressing very well.
I feel bad for F-Mart. He’ll never live up to the hype that the bigoted Miniya administration put out about him.
I like though, if we don’t get Fielder, Ike should be at 1st base in April 2010.
I’m an Ike fan, having seen him play at PSL this spring. He is probably the only prospect we have that I would consider untradeable. I’m very hopeful he puts an early termnation on the Murphy tenure at 1B for the Mets.
I also am an Ike fan.But slow down lets not rush him.He also strikes out alot.Start him in Buffalo.You dont want to put unattainable goals on him? Like everyone did with Murphy.What would happen if ike started in Citifield,hit 270 with 12 homers and 70 Rbi’s??Would he also become a bust???Like Murphy unattainable goals for the rookies.Please people just be happy we have a legit prospect,coming up soon.
This guy has to spend at least half a season in AAA. Maybe a whole one. I f he needs 2 seasons I will just write him off.