17
2011
Mets Minor League Updates: Havens, Martinez, Lutz, Sandoval
An article by Craig Lerner
Reese Havens
In case you missed it, second base prospect Reese Havens made the Baseball America Hot Sheet last week which highlights prospects that are excelling. After a week in which Havens batted .435/.536/.739 (10-for-23) with seven runs scored, BA writes:
In an alternate universe, a healthy Reese Havens might already have claimed the Mets’ second base job. The position was wide open this spring when Justin Turner won the job as much by default as anything else. In the real world, Havens has been notable as much for a laundry list of injuries as for his solid production whenever he’s been able to get on the field. He missed the start of this season as he continued to recover from a sore side as a result of offseason rib surgery. After he returned, Havens went on the disabled list again with back problems. In past years he’s also had elbow, groin, quad, hand and oblique injuries, which explains why he’s yet to play 100 games in any of his four pro seasons.
But when he’s healthy, as he’s been lately, Havens still has the potential to be an above-average offensive second baseman. He draws some walks, has some pop in his bat and can hit for average. If healthy, he could be in the mix for the Mets’ second base job in 2012, but the “if healthy” caveat applies more to him than almost anybody else.
Fernando Martinez
Here we go again…outfield prospect Fernando Martinez has landed himself on the disabled list again with what is being called a left wrist strain. It’s the third trip to the DL for Martinez this season who can’t seem to stay healthy for more than a month straight going all the way back to the 2007 season. Once considered the jewel of the Mets farm system and one of the top prospects in baseball, F-Mart has yet to play more than 90 games in any of his five professional seasons.
The 23-year old has appeared in 63 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season, and has hit .260 with eight homers and 30 RBIs.
Quick Hits
Alderin Rodriguez ripped a game-winning home run with two-outs in the bottom of the 13th inning last night in a 3-2 win for the Sand Gnats. The 19-year old third baseman leads the team in home runs with 14, but has struggled mightily in the field and now has 41 errors after committing two more last night.
In case you were wondering, look for first-round pick Brandon Nimmo to make his professional debut later this week in the Gulf Coast League. He’ll be in the outfield, but where exactly has not been determined yet.
Congratulations to Rylan Sandoval of the St. Lucie Mets on being named the FSL Player of the Week for the week ending August 14. The 24-year old batted .524 clip (11-for-21) with three homers and eleven RBIs.
Zach Lutz continues to rake at triple-A Buffalo where he is currently hitting .314/.393/.514 in 191 plate appearances for the Bisons. The third base prospect has hit three homers in his last ten games, upping his total to eight HR in 48 games. According to Adam Rubin, Lutz is a probable September call-up.
About the Author: Craig Lerner
I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
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Does Lutz project to any other position? Can the lad play in the OF? His best use may be as a trade piece to bring back some pitching… That is, assuming Wright is a Met lifer.
I think he makes Duda look fast at this point. 1B or 3B seem to be it for him.
trade bait, very possibly.
Your right any, if he ever did have speed, the multiple fractured feet and ankle fracture he has suffered in the last few years has robbed him of any and all foot speed. I love his bat, but his range is seriously limited at 1B and 3B, let alone in the OF, and the OF at Citi……?
“He draws some walks, has some pop in his bat and can hit for average”
Forget the walks, what’s more important and what should have been listed first is that he has some pop and can hit for average. ALSO what’s more….what are his RBI totals and does he have a reputation of being able to drive in runs in big spots.
Those 3 things are MUCH more important than worrying about something as insignificant as how many walks he draws. IT’s really unbelievable how priorities have changed. Drawing walks is NOT gonna win you ball games but driving in runs will.
So tell us please? What is his reputation like for driving in runs. I would much rather know that than how many damned walks he has. If he has a good eye than he has a good eye whether he’s hitting or not it will always be there so there is no need to discuss it.
Power, AVG, AND the thing that most people know forget to talk about in lieu of walks?…..RBI’s!
Tell us about his ability to drive in runs (which i bet is good but you’re too busy telling us that he walks..smh)
What is more important, runs or RBI?
RBI. And i’m not going to get into this discussion again because he did it all winter long so since i don’t know who you are and if you’re just a fan who read a book and says it’s important to get on base (which anybody in the world can say even if you just have a passing interest in baseball) then don’t waste my time.
Mets are at the top of the league in OBP AND LOB so what % of that OBP total is guys just standing on base at the end of an inning or left on base after they got the important hit to drive in a run?
I want to know how he is driving in runs. Plain and simple and it’s as old as baseball itself. Is Havens the type of personality that has no problem batting in pressure spots? Let’s answer those questions first before i even remotely address his eye. We ALL learn that getting on base is important when we put on our very first uniform at 8 years old so don’t waste my time with that.
If he’s hitting, hitting with power AND driving in runs than bring him up and then maybe later at the end of the day..when i have time..we’ll talk about his eye.
i mean “we did it all winter long”
I was just curious, because like love and marriage, you can’t really have one without the other. As long as you are contributing to one part of that equation, one would think that is a good thing, no?
Both of them are over rated in the minor leagues, they depend on other people. What matters is obviously HR or doubles, and strikeout to walks, you want a guy with a good idea of the strike zone.
So, you’re more interested in a stat that gives an individual credit for what is a team effort and what a guy’s reputation (ie what you think people say about him) rather than what he can actually do?
I dont know about you guys but with the signing of Nimmo, i feel as if finally the METS are on the upswing? It feels like since 08 they have been on a downswing just trying to prove it was a mistake but it was a warning sign the team as a whole wasnt good. They had good players but after you scrap the surface they werent a good team? Now slowly since Alderson and company have taken charge they are putting pieces for a great team together? Yes it will still be 2-3 years from now,but it will be worth the wait?(i hope) It will be a sustained playoff team. With minor leaguers ready to step in. I just dont understand aas of yet why some of these talented propects are still playing out of position?? When is A.Rodriquez going to the outfield or W.Flores going to shift to 3rd?
Good hitters are walked,
Average hitters are pitched to.
Good hitters are pitched around,
Average hitters are pitched to.
Somehow, today’s stat geek society deems a silly stat like OBP as a more meaningful stat and RBI’s.
Talent makes you a middle of the order hitter. Jose Reyes wouldn’t drive in 120 ribbies batting 3rd and 4th, because his talent doesn’t make him that type of hitter. Same for a guy like Derek Jeter.
We are led to believe players don’t drive in ribbies because they don’t see the opportunities batting in other spots in the order. That’s complete and total nonsense.
Talent is what places people like Carlos Beltran in the #3 spot.
Lack of talent is what places a hitter in the 7th slot like Josh Thole.
Talent is what places people like David Wright in the #5 spot.
Lack of talent is what places Ruben Tejada in the 8th spot in the order.
Talent drives in ribbies. Not opportunities.
Basis your argument, does that make Wright more valuable than Reyes (strictly speaking on hitting, not fielding or position played)?
No, everyone walks. It happens. I’ve seen pitchers let four out of the strike zone go by.
What good hitters do is have plate discipline and an eye to let more bad pitches go so that they either walk more frequently or get more pitches to hit. Lesser hitters lack either the patience or the vision to do that.
“Somehow, today’s stat geek society deems a silly stat like OBP as a more meaningful stat and RBI’s. ”
Ya, nerds and losers like Branch Rickey and Davey Johnson. I’m sure you’ve forgotten more about real baseball than they would ever know.
“Talent makes you a middle of the order hitter. Jose Reyes wouldn’t drive in 120 ribbies batting 3rd and 4th, because his talent doesn’t make him that type of hitter. Same for a guy like Derek Jeter. ”
Yes, they would actually, if the guys in front of them get on. They are both line drive hitters that put the ball in the gap. That’s how Reyes gets all those extra base hits.
“We are led to believe players don’t drive in ribbies because they don’t see the opportunities batting in other spots in the order. That’s complete and total nonsense.
Talent is what places people like Carlos Beltran in the #3 spot.
Lack of talent is what places a hitter in the 7th slot like Josh Thole.
Talent is what places people like David Wright in the #5 spot.
Lack of talent is what places Ruben Tejada in the 8th spot in the order.
Talent drives in ribbies. Not opportunities.”
I have no idea what you are trying to say here. Yes, Beltran and Wright are far better hitters than Tejada and Thole. Good hitters bat higher in the order. Good hitters tend to get more RBIs. You’re not blowing anyone’s mind here.
But, if you don’t realize that Beltran and Wright’s RBI totals are a result of them batting near each other and with guys like Reyes ahead of them, you’re really far behind the rest of us.
Davey Johnson lived off the 3 run homers, so what his name has to do with this discussion is pointless. More spin to detract from a stat lover who wants to compare himself and his knowledge to a professional’s via a silly stat like OBP. Sorry, but Branch and Davey weren’t stat geeks like yourself. Nice try, though. You’re nothing but a meaningless fan, Donal. Not to bright to boot.
And the point I’m using with good hitters is they drive in runs because they hit, not because they walk. And Beltran drove in 100 everywhere he went. It has NOTHING to do with people getting on base. Everyone gets on base. It’s what the guys do with the chances when they’re at the plate. It’s not some stat driven gobbledygook. Their RBI totals are because they DRIVE guys in. If you flipped Wright and Beltran with Reyes, Reyes would NEVER drive in 100 ribbies. Same thing with Derek Jeter. As for being behind the “rest of us” count Joe Torre and Joe Girardi behind “you guys” because they never hit Jeter 3rd or 4th. Much like Reyes will NEVER hit 3rd or 4th. He’s not talented enough to do it.
“Davey Johnson lived off the 3 run homers, so what his name has to do with this discussion is pointless.”
Of course you don’t know. That is because you really don’t know what you are talking about.
“More spin to detract from a stat lover who wants to compare himself and his knowledge to a professional’s via a silly stat like OBP.”
No, more facts. And I love how the Brown Shirts try to act like they have some type of comparable knowledge or experience to a professional.
“Sorry, but Branch and Davey weren’t stat geeks like yourself. ”
You have no idea at all. And it’s just great. But go ahead, keep digging that hole.
“You’re nothing but a meaningless fan,”
As opposed to you? You have some influence or something?
“And the point I’m using with good hitters is they drive in runs because they hit, not because they walk. ”
Yes, good hitters hit. And RBIs tend to be a by product of that. Mainly because they are in the top half of the order with other good hitters. Also, a high OBP is usually a sign of good plate discipline, which is crucial to being a good hitter.
“And Beltran drove in 100 everywhere he went.”
Yes, because he is an awesome hitter.
“It has NOTHING to do with people getting on base.”
Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye and Mike Sweeney might disagree with that. But you probably know way more than any of them. I’m sure you can show us that Beltran hit 101 solo home runs in 2001 or something.
“Everyone gets on base.”
True, but some are a lot better at it than most. That’s why they are at the top of the order, ahead of the power hitters.
“It’s what the guys do with the chances when they’re at the plate.”
Yes, we know that. But when you put your best guys up there with runners on, the chances are better that they will do something good.
“Their RBI totals are because they DRIVE guys in.”
Yes, they drive in guys who are on base.
“If you flipped Wright and Beltran with Reyes, Reyes would NEVER drive in 100 ribbies. ”
Jose Reyes, who drove in 81 RBIs from the leadoff spot in 2006, wouldn’t rack up 100 RBIs if 2 guys with career OPS of .854 (Beltran) and .893 (Wright)?
Riiiiiight.
“Same thing with Derek Jeter. As for being behind the “rest of us” count Joe Torre and Joe Girardi behind “you guys” because they never hit Jeter 3rd or 4th.”
Because they prefer putting their power hitters in the middle of the line up to take advantage of the opportunities their high OBP guys like Jeter and Granderson are creating. That is far from a terrible strategy.
“Much like Reyes will NEVER hit 3rd or 4th. He’s not talented enough to do it.”
Might want to explain that Jerry Manuel, who put Reyes in the 3 hole a few times. The problem is, no one got on base in front of him. Also, every time he was batting third, he would use that damn upper cut swing thinking he was supposed to be a home run hitter.
He tends to do that during slumps.
UNFORTUNATELY THE REAL NUMBER OF GAMES ACTUALLY PLAYED OVER 4 SEASONS BY REESE HAVENS IS A MERE 175. CERTAINLY NOT NEARLY LONG ENOUGH TO FERMENT A QUALITY MLBer & WE DON’T REQUIRE ANY MORE HALF-BAKED SINGLE DIMENSIONED ROSTER FILLERS. HAVENS WILL NEED TO REESTABLISH HIS IRON-MAN CREDENTIALS HE HAD AS A GAMECOCK BEFORE HE’S FULLY VETTED AS A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER. AS MOST OF US PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO FARM TEAMS IN GENERAL, I MUST ASK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE THAT HOBBY/INTEREST/SKILL TO INSTRUCT ME AS TO WHETHER OUR HORRIBLE HEALTH RECORD ON PROSPECTS/SUSPECTS IS TYPICAL OR EXTREME. I TEND TO BELIEVE WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH PROPER TRAINING THROUGHPOUT OUR ENTIRE FRANCHISE FROM BROOKLYN TO FLUSHING. IT’S NOT A RECENT PHENOMENON AS ONE TIME TOP PROSPECT JAY PAYTON SIMILARLY WAS REPUTED TO BE FRAGILE & INCAPABLE OD SUSTAINING THE RIGORS OF A FULL 130G+ SCHEDULE. WITH LUTZ,HAVENS,F-MART,MEJIA,FAMILIA ALL MAKING IT ONTO AN INACTIVE LIST RECENTLY THE LIE THAT IS THE LATEST SLOGAN “HEALTH TROUGH PREPARATION” IS OUTLANDISH AT BEST INCOMPETANCE AT WORSE. WHEN IS TOO MANY TOO REDICULOUS? AND WHEN SHOULD THE ALDERSON PURGE COMMENCE? THIS IS THE EQUIVILENT OF A PARENT BUYING THEIR CHILD A $2,000.00 BICYCLE & A $20.00 HELMET. IT’S DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE FARM ROSTERS FILLED WITH ONE DIMENSIONAL POSITION PLAYERS SPECIALIZING IN JOBS MORE THAN ADEQUTELY BLOCKED @ THE MLB LEVEL; BUT IT’S ENTIRELY CRIMINAL NEGLECT TO ENTRUST THEIR HEALTH IN FAILED PERSONNEL WITH INEPT PROGRAMS. AS OURS APPEARS TO BE.
Haven while a good hitter, when not injured, is still far from being the Met 2b next year let alone later on. He has to show that he can stay on field for a sustained time because Mets can have him play 2b then get hurt and wind up short at the position cause of his injuries.
Mets need to take it easy with Haven, have him show at least a year w/o getting hurt then we can pencil him in.
Wanting him to be that 2b person based on his potential means nothing if he can’t stay on field.