Mets Farm System Getting Long Overdue Recognition

A couple of key prospects rankings were released this week and the Mets are prominently featured in both.

First, here is the 2010 Top 100 Prospects from Project Prospect, which features five Mets.

10 Fernando Martinez  – LF/RF Plus power/good contact skills may allow him to ascend to stardom. some day.

48 Jon Niese – LHP Commands a sinking FB; CB and SL both get swing-throughs; Likely no. 3 starter.

57 Ike Davis – 1B Strong pro debut; contact is a concern; potential to hit 35+ bombs a season.

92 Reese Havens – 2B/SS Began shift to 2B at AFL; patient fly-ball hitter with make outs but solid power.

100 Jenrry Mejia – RHP Filthy 94-98 FB w/ hard, cutting action; CH has excellent movement; may be a RP.

Finally, the one prospect list that everyone anxiously awaits for each February, Baseball America. The leading authority on baseballs best prospects doesn’t rank the Mets as highly as Project Prospect, but they did manage to squeeze four of them in although none were in the Top 50.

56 Jenrry Mejia RHP – ETA 2012

62 Ike Davis 1B – ETA 2011

77 Fernando Martinez OF – ETA 2011

88 Wilmer Flores SS – ETA 2013

In December, BA had Flores ranked second in the Mets Top 10. Two months later and he has been passed up by F-Mart and Ike Davis. There seems to be a widening gap between those who see Mejia as a reliever in the Major Leagues or a top of the rotation starter.

In 2009, the Mets farm system seemed to get a bad rap from sites like ESPN, FOX Sports and SI.com. It’s been a little different this winter and there seems to be a shift in opinion as the stocks of Josh Thole, Ike Davis and Jenrry Mejia continue to rise.