5
2010
I Like Ike – Mets Need To Bring Davis North…
An article by Former Writers
This past offseason, the merciless bashing of the Mets organization seemed to reach it’s zenith. If you listened to talk radio and read all the blogs and papers you would have thought Omar Minaya was the boogieman. Was the criticism justified? That question won’t be answered until after the season. Or, maybe it will be answered by the end of spring training …
Listening to Jerry Manuel wax poetic about young Jenrry Mejia’s arm resonated with the fan base and blog and newspaper writers. Armed with a 97 mph fastball, that interest, and our fascination with the young man‘s talent made for some intriguing storylines. We, as fans, have been told that young Mejia may be an 8th inning setup man this year. Hogwash! Mejia isn’t ready. The Mets know this, but continue to hype the talented 20 year old.
Another young man has been equally impressive. The difference being that it’s becoming more obvious by the day that young Ike Davis is ready. When Davis is mentioned, the Mets continue to reiterate that Ike “isn’t ready yet” that he needs “more seasoning”. Are we all watching the same player? Don’t play coy with us Omar/Jerry.
I don’t want to go off the deep end after 3 games in Port St. Lucie, and project this guy to be the next anybody. How about we all just hope he puts up good numbers wherever he plays. It isn’t hard to envision young Mr. Davis with better numbers than either Daniel Murphy or Mike Jacobs. What is hard to fathom is that those numbers will probably be at ‘AAA’ Buffalo…
Ike hasn’t been campaigning for the 1st base job. He’s shown he knows his place. His father, Ron, a former setup man and big league pitcher has taught him how to deal with major league clubhouse politics and the media. So, it’s going be up to the fan base and bloggers and writers and his on field play to do his politicking for him. So far, so good Ike.
The Mets continue with the company line as it pertains to Ike. Granted, we haven’t seen Ike against the Halladay’s or Wainwright’s or Carpenter’s. Ike finished last year at AA Binghamton. Ike Davis also went to Arizona State for a few years. In my mind, and many others, his collegiate experience equates to 2 years more of minor league ball. If you couple Davis’ work ethic, natural talent, bloodlines, and maturity, you have the makings of a excellent young player who has the drive and talent to succeed in any environment.
I recall a young man who was also drafted out of college who was drafted with less fanfare. He played AA ball until being called up to AAA. He hadn’t even got his feet wet there when he was called up by the big club. The players name: Daniel Murphy. Murph essentially never played at AAA. He was brought up and hit well at the end of ‘08. No AAA ball. Yet, to open the 2009 season he was our Mets starting LF, and, after Carlos Delgado went down, our starting 1st baseman. If Daniel Murphy can play with no AAA experience in the field and at the plate, I’m absolutely positive that Ike Davis can.
This past off season, we fans were treated to the torment of watching players who would help our squad sign or be dealt elsewhere. Our owner, Fred Wilpon said of this past off season “Torture. Very, very difficult. So, look, you’ve heard the theme that we have to stay healthy. I’m very optimistic that they will.”
I like Dan Murphy, I like Mike Jacobs. I love Ike Davis. The Mets many times this off season let us down as a fan base. They shouldn’t’t be so shortsighted and let us down again…
The biggest question to be answered at 1st base is not ‘Is Ike ready?’ It’s why don’t the Mets realize he’s ready? Surely if Dan Murphy was ready in ‘09, Ike Davis is ready in ‘10.
Many times I’ve told others that the Mets have way more talent on the farm than they are given credit for.
The Mets make that argument themselves, saying their minor leagues have more talent than most scouts think. It’s time to be bold. Bring Ike Davis north and prove it.
About the Author: Former Writers
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Whoaaaaa! Slow down.
What if he goes 0 for 4 today? With 2 errors? Do you remove the post?
Talk about a knee-jerk reaction! That’s the age of the internet..all these daily knee-jerk reactions by any ol’ fan.
It doesn’t get anymore senseless than this. How about waiting a couple of weeks? OK? I wonder who’s gonna go 3 for 3 today and wind up coming north…on March 5th? Or I wonder who’s going to pitch 3 scoreless innings…and be declared to come North…on March 5th?
::rolls eyes::
We’re not talking about Argenis Reyes here and if he went 4-4 I guanrantee nobody will call for Castillo’s ouster.
We are talking about Ike Davis who has been heralded since the day the Mets drafted him. In the last 12 months he put together a solid season in AA, went on the world stage and excelled in the Baseball’s World Cup for team USA, and then he was pitted against the best prospects in all of baseball in the AFL and nearly won the MVP of the league batting a league leading 341 against the elite prospects of the game.
If Dan Murphy was the Yankees or Phillies first baseman and Ike was in the wings and did what he has in the last 12 months, there’s no question what they would do.
just wait a couple more weeks and then revisit the situation instead of writing a post based on a couple of ABs in March 5. That’s all.
I’m not automatically sending him to the minors and I’m not automatically bringing him up north, just wait a couple weeks.
That makes perfect sense to me.
Bayonne, SPOT ON! Brandon Tierney reports Ike still struggles against quality MLB breaking stuff. Can we see him bat against someone not struggling to make a mediocre staff before annointing him? Anyone who believes Ike on 1B instead of Murph is the difference maker in going to postseason is insane! That’s the absolute only reason to act that rahly. Certainly Staw & Doc flourished for their time; but when they were kept, those teams didn’t have any stars let alone a Wright,Reyes,Beltran,Bay,Santana those teams had a right to be so desperate! Let’s not let the ’09 fiasco cause a panic move! Let both kids ferment until they can slide right into place when we can actually eastablish Murphy’s bona fides & deal him for some valuable return.
Will everyone please calm down about the young guys. There is absolutely no way Davis, Mejia, Fernando Martinez or Thole should go north with this team out of spring training. Can we see them prove they can dominate a level of the minor leagues for at least half a season before we anoint them as the next Doc or Straw?
I like the enthusiasm and optimism but lets just see if he can put together another solid few months in AAA. He hopefully will be the real deal but to suggest he would hit better than Murphy or Jacobs right now is just taking it a step to far. Not many rookies come out like that.
David Wright DOMINATED at every level in the minor leagues and spent a season and a half at AA before AAA. After tearing it up in AAA the Mets promoted him to the big show and the rest is history. The point here is to let your players develop instead of screaming for them to play at the major league level with little track record in the minor leagues.
David Wright played a total of 60 games in AA and 31 games in AAA(where he played with…wait for it…Angel Pagan and Pedro Feliciano!). But, David did dominate everywhere he played and showed he didn’t need to spend any more time in the minors, while Ike still has a few things to learn( like how to hit a curve).Give him a little time, he’ll be in NY soon.
Sorry, but I have to agree this blog is ridiculous. Davis shows a little pop at the beginning of spring training so he’s ready for the bigs? He’s barely had one year to show his retooled swing is for real and even at best still doesn’t project much above average. Let’s see him hit lefties, for example. If he’s still looking good in a few months, he’ll certainly get his shot.
Yes I like Ike Davis and think he could be the real deal. The shot he hit (grand slam) yesterday was a thing of beauty. But having said that the only pitching he has faced are guys with high double digits on their back. Lets see what happens if and when he faces some grade A major league pitching. The last thing I want to see is this kid get rushed (see Fernando Martinez) and get his head handed to him. I as well think he should get some major league experience this spring but begin the year in AAA.
After 3 games in ST you know Ike is ready? Wow! and what about Murph. 300 and 20 hrs. Do you think Davis is ready to do that?
Ike hit his homer off of Francisco Samuel, who pitches for the Class AA Springfield Cardinals. Samuel’s fastball has been clocked at 97.0 mph. One scouting reports ranks Samuel at Number 17 in the Cards organization and gives him the following evaluation: “Grade C, Blistering stuff, with no idea where it’s going.”
Ike’s homer yesterday was probably hit at 200 mph and all the fans knew where it was going.
I agree with the other posters, why rush the guy up based on three ST bats against scrubs? And knowing Met fans, the first time he goes into a slump, or makes an error, they’ll be ready to crucify him. Lets see what he can do in AAA.
Fourtunately, I’m not the typical Mets fan….I’m ostimistic about the team in general.
I like Ike too. However, I can hit fast balls off Joe Schmo, how is he with the breaking balls?
How is he with the curves and change ups?
He’ll be up VERY soon, no need to rush.
He’s a superstar in the making, there is absolutely no doubt about that.
Jesus christ.. typical mets fans.. while we at it why don’t we trade beltran since mathews locked the centerfield position!!!
Relax ppl, is only 2 games of st!!! He needs to dominate in the minors for at least 2 years before we even consider bringing him in..
I really dont see why you would hold him back if in fact he proves to be up to the task come April 1st.
All offseason everyone was yapping their brains out about upgrading Murphy at first base, maybe this is the upgrade. Murphy went from AA to the Mets and was annointed left fielder, so it’s not like we havent seen this before.
Who is a more polished first baseman Murphy or Ike Davis?
Christian, I, for one have missed you, I’ve a concern regarding Ike’s ability to handle MLB caliber breaking stuff as Tierney is reporting he’d heard/been told Ike is overmatched by it. If true, expect such a steady diet to perhaps destroy his confidence which would be a criminal act to allow happen. Unless he’s considered THE DIFFERENCE bewtween extended vacation & postseason play he should definitey ferment longer to also potentially add to Murphy’s value for return in subsequent offseason trade bet ’10 & ’11. That’s my vote, we can’t afford to turn Davis into Jeffreies or Milledge disappointments.
I wouldn’t put him on the opening day roster just yet.
i like Ike, i saw him play at ASU and i liked what i saw there. he is the 1B if the future for this team, but i dont think the future is now. Bayonne you are dead on man, give the kid more time to prove himself this spring. lets see how he does against Doc Halladay, Lowe, Johnson and the other premier starters in baseball before bringing him up
If Murphy staying in the majors and Ike at AAA will be good at 1st, then what will the Mets do with both of them later on when they both should play in the majors?
It would be nice if there was room for both of them on the club.
Do you think that either of them could try out to play 2nd? And if that works out then it would be an outstanding process going on. And if it is also good for Thole at C, plus they end up keeping the same OF, then just think of years that the team would have good and mostly young players or close to it, in every position on the field.
And just maybe the teams 3 pitchers come around, then it would be WOW!.
The funny part of it is that it is only ST now.
Fred, when u consider the former positional farmhands Omar’s has to reacquire(Cavez,Pagan,Bay) after being dealt by predecessors, the litany of criticisms for our talent evaluation tend to dim. At this time, the number of homegrowns expected to make a significant contribution is too often lost in the shouting (Reyes,Wright,Murphy)
The future with Tejada,Havens,Thole, even F-Mart only looks brighter positionally noe add in pitchers Niese, Mejia, Holt, Parnell and u have excellent representation.
You askewd what happens when Davis is ready for SHOWTIME? I believe Havens is your likely 2B making further experimentation with Murphy moot & we can only hope he does well enough to increase his return value to include cvaluable needs being filled. In my opinion, Murphy is a nice player needing improvement to GOOD STATUS, which translates into expendable in my book.(the old u need quality to get quality issue)
No we don’t have to bring Davis north. He still needs more at bats in AAA against lefties and recognizing strike zone. Just cause he hits a grand slam against my mother’s cousin’s sister’s fav nephew does not make him a ready to play in NY star. Please let the kid develop and if Murph gets hurt then bring him up but he needs 300-400 at bats in minors to fine tune his hitting. Remember all those marvelous spring training phenoms that did great against un-interested vets and minor leaguers just throwing the ball hard and for strikes. Not a good sample size. Please this article is just another reason for hope to be shot down and to pump up a fav player, IMO>
Sarge is right on target; but certainly u should have pointed out that the Cardinals though perenial contenders due to the uber-talents of phat Albert & magicians tricks of La Russa. They certainly are not recognized as having an excellent pitching staff throughout & Ike’s sub-orbital shot was off a pitcher bearing a number north of 70 struggling to make a less than steller squad who was desperate for a strike after walking everyone; but the umpires on the field. Can anyone say COOKIE!
We finally have someone to be enthusiastic about, and everybody bats it down. Is it so sacrilegious to hope he wins the 1B job?
What are you doing in these parts? Anyway, it’s a bad idea.
Maria, enthusiasm can cloud judgement. Simply ask yourself this, Do u consider either Davis or Mejia to be THE DIFFERENCE BEWTWEEN POSTSEASON & extended vacation? if yes? What’s truly the harm in keeping him back because if they’re really that close, deaf dumb luck could close the gap.
If NO, again what harm to the club? if as some stories indicate Davis has trouble against quality breaking stuff, his confidence could easily be derailed by the steady diet he’ll face once it’s discovered. BTW he’d never see a competitive fastball again!
The questions that have to be answered are: Is Ike Davis MLB ready, or would he (and the team) benefit from some seasoning in AAA. Hopefully, the answer becomes clear as ST progresses. Whatever would maximize Davis’ MLB potential should be the route followed.
Similarly, with Mejia. If Mejia continues to plow guys ‘down n’ out’ and Davis continues to put up gaudy numbers, then we’ll know what to do. And if not, if both need some more seasoning, then that’s the best path to take.
The problem is simple. The Mets organization has no plan. Spring training is irrelevant to most players except as a time to get in shape and rosters are 95% set before. Ike Davis should be the first baseman and not because of this Spring. He is a far greater talent than Murphy. They should have tried to trade Murphy and Maine for another pitcher (probably no takers). Also, the Mets Organization pays zero attention to this or any other site. They may read or be informed but let’s be clear, bloggers have zero impact on Met front office decisions.
This an organization that has been horrible for 47 years and the Wilpons are perpetuating the history. No batting champ, no position player developed with even a remote chance of making the hall (Wright and Reyes? see me in 10 years), no MVP, no homer champ and only one player whose Jersey is worth of retirement since 1962. This is the Mets. I love them, but unless another Frank Cashen sneaks in, don’t get your hopes up.
Until the franchise is sold, expect more of the same.
Pops, much of what u state was missing was predominantly caused by focusing on what played best @ home (“BIG”SHEA). paying premium signing bonuses to top power hitting prospects was secondary to selecting what always played best in Flushing, pitching. U may recall even our secondary level of pitchers acquitted themselves well, names such as Koosman, Gentry, McGraw,Swan, Matlack, McAndrew, Frisella, Allen
were significant performers between the outstanding Seaver & Gooden.
There’s always tradeoffs to be made The Mets’ long ago established their concentrated draft focus on pitching over position, power arms over power bats. Straw was certainly the exception that proved the rule as they say…
The Braves concentrate their focus on their immediate surroundings since a temperate climate allows for an extended Spring & Fall split amateur baseball seasons going back to Little Leagues, Travel Teams, etc.
I am along side you you 62fan. We fall in love we a spring training phemon that the org says is the future at 1st base, even though he has not played AAA or had enough at bats, which clouds the judgment of many well meaning fans and you hope does not cloud the Mets. He needs to as stated work on his strike zone recognition, breaking pitches and facing lefties so his confidence is not shattered over a few doubles and HR off of AA or A ball pitchers. Come on, if he is the real deal then a year at AAA will only make him better, give fans and Mets a better idea on him and then you can anoint him our savior. Murph has not done bad and should be better this year so there is no rush.