19
2011
Where Are Our Stud Players?
An article by Former Writers
After watching the Mets get smoked in Arizona this past week, one of the only bright spots during the games was watching Justin Upton. The guy is a flat out baseball player and will likely be an MVP candidate for the foreseeable future. Then over the last home stand, there was the Marlins Mike Stanton, a kid barely old enough to buy a beer showing perhaps some of the most raw power I have seen in a long time and leaving me just waiting for him to turn every pitch into a moon shot. Seeing these players, not to mention Freddy Freeman, Gabby Sanchez, and Jason Heyward makes me wonder:
Where in the world are the Mets can’t miss studs? These guys are some of the most young and exciting players in the game, and yet the Mets have nothing along those lines.
I know everyone is going to say Ike Davis and I think he will be a solid player for a long time, when he gets back on the field. However I look at Ike as a piece of the puzzle not the solution. People want to see Justin Upton and Mike Stanton play. These are players you build the future on and are the backbone of a team for the next decade.
Who do we have? Fernando Martinez? The man can’t stay healthy in and is bordering on becoming a bust. Jenrry Mejia? Who knows what he will be capable of after Tommy John surgery. Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, Brad Holt, the list goes on and on but none truly are that impact player, at least not from what we have seen.
There may however be some light at the end of the tunnel. Matt Harvey seems like the real deal and signs indicate that Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores have the potential, but they could be years away and aren’t any current help to a desperate fan base that wants to win now. Maybe Brandon Nimmo could join them as well, seeing as he is finally on board, but again, no help to the Mets now.
So as the season goes on and as teams come and go, so will the frustration of the top young players in baseball being met by the Josh Tholes and Justin Turners of the Mets. Nice, young players with some potential but nothing truly to write home about.
About the Author: Former Writers
53 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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wow, first of all, jason heyward??? a guy who’s hitting 218 is a stud?? forget what he did last year, he had a solid rookie season, but is what you do after that shows who you are, baseaball seem to caught up with him, also, calm down with freeman, remember we have ike davis? also, give time, harvey, familia and mejia may very well be here next year, also, when those players you mention become all star and good year to year productive players like wright and reyes, THEN TALK to me…
agree on gaby sanchez and mike stanton.. wow is all i can say about mike stanton, just wow.. be patient my friend, this F/O already said 2014 will be the year for us, 2 1/4 more year and we’re there ok, just be patient and wheeler, nimmo will save the franchize from total utility
Jason Heyward is too good to not adjust. I’d still take him over anybody currently in the Mets system, and its not close.
wow.. just wow.. the faith of some mets fans is just unbelieveable
Darth, take off the helmet put on your “thinking cap” do any of these names ring any bells? IKE DAVIS, JOSE REYES, DAVID WRIGHT, JON NIESE, DILLON GEE, MATT HARVEY, JEURRYS FAMILIA, JENNRY MEJIA? ALL HOME PRODUCE! SURE REYES & WRIGHT WERE YEARS AGO & HARVEY,FAMILIA,MEJIA ARE PROMISES NOT YET DELIVERED; BUT THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED SET NUMBER OF PLAYERS U CAN CONTROL AT ANY ONE POINT IN TIME.ONLY 1 ASSET/LIABILITY TO BE CHOSEN WITH EACH DRASFT PICK.
I’M GROWING WEARY OF THIS REVISIONIST FAN APPROACH AS IF THE MAJORITY OF FANS PROTESTED THE REVAMPING OF THE ’04 LETHARGY WITH HIGHEST LEVEL F/A AT THE COST OF THOSE FIRST ROUND SELECTIONS PUT TO USE TO GARNER THOSE TALENTS, ON OTHER TEAMS, U CAST AVARICE EYES TOWARDS. NO ONE’S BALLS WERE SO CLEARLY CRSTALIZED AS TO HAVE FORESEEN PEDRO’S SHOULDER, BELTRAN’S KNEES, SANTANA’S SHOULDER, WAGNER’S ELBOW & K-ROD’S MELTDOWN. SURELY RESULTS WERE DISAPPOINTING; BUT TO FAULT THE PREPARATION FOR LACK OF UNFORSEEN CATASROPHIC OCCURANCES CRUIPPLING THE RESULTS IS COMPLETELY DISENGENUOUS. AT NO TIME PRIOR TO THE ASDDITIONS OF F/As PEDRO,BELTRAN,WAGNER,K-ROD,BAY DID I READ A SERIES OF PROTESTORS OVER THE SURRENDERING OF AMATEUR DRAFT ‘LOTTERY TICKETS’. AFTERWARD, THEY WERE NUMEROUS; BUT TYPICALLY AT DISAPPOINTING SEASON’S END
AS AN EXAMPLE OF HYPOCRYPSY, REGARDING LUIS CASTILLO, ALL THE CATTERWALLING COMMENCED OVER HIS 4/24M CONTRANT & NOT IN SACRIFICING A-LEVEL CATCHER BUTTERA TO ACQUIRE HIM. WHY NOT? ISN’Y CATCHING A SKILL WE ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF?
SIMILARLY, EVERYONE WAS ECSTATIC @ THE RELATIVELY LOW PKG THAT BROUGHT SANTANA FROM MINNESOTTA, NO TEARS OR NAYSAYERS PROTESTED THE LOSS OF YOUTHFUL HOPE & PROMISE. WHAT WOULD HUMBER BE CONTRIBUTING IN FLUSHING?
JASON HEYWARD? IS THAT WHO HAS YOUR PANTIES UP YOUR CROTCH? HEWYWARD WAS ATLANTA’S #1 PICK IN THE 2007 AMATEUR DRAFT A DRAFTING POSITION FAR SUPERIOR TO OUR ALOTMENT AT THE TIME PRECLUDING HIS POTENTIALLY EVER BEING A MET SELECTION WITH OR WITHOUT HAVING SACRIFICED OUR POSITION. HEYWARD FINALLY MADE HIS MLB CONTRIBUTION FOR ATL IN 2010 3 YRS IN WHICH WE HAD A TOP SHELF MLB PLAYER CONTIBUTING WHERE IT MATTERS MOST. 3 YRS IN WHICH HEYWARD RISKED HIS CAREER IN EACH & EVERY GAME, ONE MISSTEP FROM A CAREER ENDING INJURY. UNFORTUNATELY WE NEVER HEAR OF THOSE HUNDREDS THAT PASS INTO OBLIVION. FEW EVER CONSIDER THAT ONE OF OUR TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS WHO MAY HAVE PRECLUDED OUR NEED FOR BELTRAN WAS BRIAN COLE, WHO WAS SCHEDULED TO DEBUT IN AA PRIOR TO HIS 2001 UNTIMELY & TRAGIC DEATH.
THERE IS AN UNFORTUNATE TENDANCY TO REWRITE HISTORY WHENEVER PROMISES AREN’T KEPT & DISAPPOINTMENTS ARE REALIZED. LIFE ISN’T AS MUCH A BOX OF CHOCOLATES AS IT IS A SERIES OF ALIGNED STANDING DOMINOES.
Reyes and Wright were great homegrown talent. Nobody is disputing that.
As you point out, the others haven’t contributed much (if any) at the MLB level.
I don’t know what you’re trying to get at with bringing up the late Brian Cole, or anybody else from over a decade ago.
The Mets system was in bad shape a year or two ago. Its gotten better. But it still has a long ways to go to compete with the minor league systems of the Braves or Phillies, nevermind the majority of the rest of MLB.
Mets have a lot of potential MLB caliber bodies. But since this article was titled “Where are our STUD PLAYERS”…still waiting for you or anybody else to name some actual potential studs in the system other than Nimmo, Wheeler, or Harvey. Wilmer Flores has a .710 OPS in A-ball at a corner defensively. He doesn’t count anymore.
How do you know Heyward is not too good to adjust? Because he wears a Braves uniform?
Maybe you and the guy who runs around here as a Braves/A’s lover pretending to be Mets fans may get your wish and Heyward turns out to be a .300 hitting 30 HR, 100 RBI a year stud like another Mets kids was on his way to becoming this year – Ike Davis.
Ike would no doubt have hit over 30 HRs this year if he stayed healthy and quite possibly would have hit near .300 and most likely would have had around 100 RBIs.
OR – Heyward may develop into a serviceable major league hitter who’s career numbers are more like .250 – .275 averaging about 15-20 HRs a year and wind up playing for 4 or 5 teams. Which is nice, but not a stud.
We’ll see
Darth, did either die? what gives with the past tense? last I read a roster both were “in our entuire system” which u claim to be preferring Heyward over. U really shouls consult a professional therapist about curing yur prospect envy.
The Mets are 3 fine starting pitchers away from success. Put the Phils’ top 3 on the Mets and how do you think it stacks up? Mets win.
Also, you failed to mention WHY the Mets didn’t have a chance to draft Jason Heyward in 2007. That’s because they surrendered their 2007 1st rd pick to sign the 40 year old Moises Alou.
It’s nice to be able to look back and go “OH, so THAT’s what could have happened”
The choice to grab Alou was good AT THE TIME and if the Mets didn’t collapse on the field and made the post season nobody would be complaining about it. Oh and you would be killing Minaya for drafting Heyward because he’d be hitting .218 or whatever he’s hitting in a Mets uniform instead of a Braves uniform
they’d be killing minaya for heyward if he was a 218 hitter with the mets, probably use the “he’s a DH, or doesn’t have a position” line to criticize him.. turner is not a stud, he’s a backup yet a 218 hitter who had a good rookie campaign is a super stud, he struggles because he’s young and need maturity, yet kill everyobody except wheeler and nimmo because they were drafted by the geniouses..
What are you talking about? Good AT THE TIME? The guy played 98 games the season before and was a known injury risk and was 40 years old (or close to it)
Funny how the Mets collapsed that year when the GM did NOTHING to improve the team, and made the bullpen worse in 07 yet the current GM who is here LESS then a year, had no money because of all the money the previous GM WASTED tied up and you’re calling for his head.
SMH – talk about lack of consistency
ahh, the mets would’ve had like a 20 something pick, heyward was what?? number 14 pick off the board??? burn!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t mention Alou simply because even with the pick & no Moises, Atlanta still takes Heyward off the board before we get to tyhje podium. Alou was inconsequential re. Heyward selection.
Tghanks for thew pluperfect example of disengenuous, Darth.
Huh? I never said that the Mets would or would not have had a chance to take Heyward. Somebody else brought up the 2007 draft IN ALL CAPS, and that’s why I noted that the Mets didn’t even have a pick that year because somebody thought it was a good idea to sign a 40 year old corner outfielder who had Type A free agent status.
And yeah, I complained about that move then, too, but obviously was not posting on this forum at that time.
I’m no Alderson fluffer by any means. Its clear that the Mets FO has a plan to rebuild now, when they did not the past few years.
Reyes/Wright have been established for 7 or 8 years already. Don’t see how they are relevant to a discussion about current minor league systems.
Everybody should have Braves farm system envy. Its impossible not to when looking at what they’re turning out lately. And if you don’t see that, you’re just an incorrigible homer.
kimbrel, venters & flaherty ok
hanson above avg at best
heywayrd 1 good year, 1 HORRIBLE year
freeman, 2 good months, 2 bad months
what else?????????????????????????????????????????????????
yes they made some good trades to build around those players, but please stop it, when any of those become a year in and out all star like chipper, then come talk to me.. trades by the GM have made this team what it is, stupid trades by other GM’s have helped this team, uggla for what’s his name, jurjean for an old renteria, now bourn..
Freeman has already had a better rookie year than Ike Davis. And he was 3 years younger when doing it.
freeman in 470 at bats 293 16 60
ike davis in 650 at bats 281 26 96
fielding pct% freeman 994 davis 994
Awww, you still use counting numbers. That’s cute.
I thought Wright was terrible alex? Do you only like him when comparing to other teams?
Everybody knows Jason Heyward is a legitimate future stud, he just needs some refinement and maturity. He just turned 22 years old, keep that in mind.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but ruben tejada, turner, and co they all suck!!!! but when is someone from the ALMIGHTY BRAVES then is ok if they struggle, they’ll be future studs, hall of famers, cy youngs etc.. you make me sick, go the hell away from this blog to a blog pertaining to the braves.. heyward is a legitimate future stud!! wow.. just wow.. isn’t fmart 22 as well and you’re s******* on him?? wtf!! be consistent with your post bro..
I agree with Alex on this one. I’m not saying Jayson Heyward is a bust but he doesn’t belong with Upton and Stanton either. In fact he’s closer to F Mart because he appears to be injury prone and I’m sure Martinez numbers would be the same if the Mets wouldve brought him up and left him up like Atlanta did.
vinnie, this guy is a braves fan, so anything braves, he goes googoo gaga, i mean, he’s already got kimbrel as the best closer in the majors and locked in to be a hof, heyward and freeman will be better than anything the mets had in their history etc.. don’t even bother engagin with that fake mets fan
Of course vinnie,
These same people who are gushing over Jason Heyward are the same people who would destroy him if he was hitting .218 in a Mets uniform instead of a Braves uniform.
The amount of “benefit of a doubt’ that is given to other teams like the Braves from some people here is sickening.
If Heyward was hitting .218 in a Mets uniform we would be hearing crap like “well he’s another bust drafted by Minaya” and if our young players were on the Braves these same clowns he say “Heyward needs refinement” would be gushing over our young players like Turner and Gee or Davis if they were in “Braves” or “A’s” uniforms
I agree on Upton. I happen to agree with Darling that Stanton has slider bat speed. Let us see if the league catches up to him.. Heyward is hurt A LOT. Anyone who does not think Reyes has stud talent is insane. And yes, Omar did sign a lot of guys and lose the chance to draft these other guys. Who complained at the time? As much as I disliked Omar, I know I did not. Because draft picks are dicey.
Free agents aren’t a sure bet either.
DONAL, HOW OLD ARE U? BY AGE 18 I’D EXPECT A SANE/SAVY INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE REALIZED THAT IN LIFE THARE ARE NO CERTAINTIES aka SURE BETS. THA’S WHY THERE ARE ODDS IN BETTING. A FREE AGENT PRESENTS A HISTORY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER PRESCVIBED CONDITIONS WHILE ACTIVE AT THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL LEVEL. IT IS A GUAGE, NOT A GUARANTEE, AN INDICATOR/PROOF OF ACCOMPLISHMENT,CAPABILITY.
THAT’S THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF A F/A OVER A RAW AMATEUR TALENT. IN ADDITION TO INSTANTANEOUS RESULTS AS OPPOSED TO YEARS OF WAITING FOR THEM.
no, but you have a track record IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES with a FA.
Davis was our stud last year coming into this year before he got hurt.
He was hitting, hitting with power and playing a Hernandez type 1b so lets get him back on field along with an improving Duda and we might have the makings of a lefty twosome with plus power at 1b and RF.
Hey Marlins have had proverbial bad years and time to build their system plus they did a better job with the position players, not pitching on horizon for them.
Same with Braves who always seem to have a home grown stud coming through system.
I see Mets down the road with possibly, I say possibly a up and coming young staff that includes Wheeler, Harvey, Gee, Niese, Familia and Mejia when he get healthy.
How many others in our division have the quality coming up so patience as alex states will provide hope.
Let’s chill with the “he was playing a Hernandez-like first base” comparisons.
Ike is above average defensively, and *maybe* he’ll get even better and become Gold Glove caliber, but don’t compare the guy to a top 2 or 3 all-time defensive player at the position just yet.
You want to know where your studs are? Ask Omar and the Wilpons!
Nimmo will be a stud in 5 years.
Wilmer Flores isn’t nearly as interesting as a prospect if he can’t play shortstop. And it looks like he can’t.
Lucas Duda…come on. He’s not a big time prospect. Maybe if you’re lucky he turns into Luke Scott.
Only guys in the system that excite me are Nimmo, Harvey, and Wheeler.
lmao!!! what a shock, 2 of the 3 “future studs” you pick are from this years front office.. lmao ohhh, and the smoochfest continues for a front office that had probably the WORST OFFSEASON in new york mets history..
“a front office that had probably the WORST OFFSEASON in new york mets history.”
Hey alex, you can tell that already? wow your gooood!
Mets had a great offseason. Because the FO realized that they are in a rebuilding mode and didn’t waste tens of millions of dollars on whatever retreads you probably wanted them to sign.
Mets will not be in position to contend for another 2 or 3 years. Why spend money on a stopgap FA if they are not going to be around to contribute when the rest of the team is ready to take the next step?
I think they should have traded Reyes when they had the chance, too. I guess the FO would rather use the two picks themselves, rather than take some other team’s 3 or 4 prospects. Think they’re losing value with that decision, but I won’t kill it.
Mets had a great offseason. ”
please send me some of whatever it is you’re smoking.. i don’t csre what it is, just send me some please… whatever you wrote after strting with that i didn’t bother read, just as i won’t bother reading anything else you post.. it seems you’re delusional my friend.
WORST OFFSEASON?
WOW – you must be a Mets fan for about 5 minutes then
Amen
Brad Holt can’t get out of AA, by the way. He’s pitched like garbage there for 2+ years. He’s not a legit prospect anymore.
so which one is it, first most of you argue that we rush the prospect and mess with their heads, now you complain the don’t get out of AA.. well what is it? this kid can be good, after having a horrendous season in AA last year, he did better this year, posting a 1.50 whip, which is not greay but ok, his control is the issue, but isn’t wheeler problem the lack of control he has? but wait, since he was picked by sandy he has a better future, ugh.. you ppl make me sick..
A 1.50 WHIP in AA as a 25 year old is awful.
Wheeler is 4 years younger.
Do you even follow baseball outside of what happens in Citi Field?
again, i am not comparing, yes he could’ve been better by now and hasn’t, but let’s not right off a 24 year old just yet
Brad Holt sucks. He will be lucky if he ever develops enough to be another Parnell.
lmao, petey, is friday my man, lighten up…
Parnell is a good comp. Another guy who throws hard, throws straight, and is maddeningly inconsistent. At least Parnell had some success at the minor league level, though.
DARTH, THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF MiLB HEROES LITTERING THE MULTITUDE OF FAILED SEASONS IN FLUSHING
Hopefully they will be in the Gulf Coast League and The St. Lucie Mets this year and next. Thats what stocking the farm system is all anout and the reason that the Mets actually signed most of their drafted players this year.
You must be overlooking Lucas Duda, He has tremendous Power in the likes of Jim Thome and Adam Dunn!!! He is still learning his discipline at the plate and they are constantly pitching around him because he has NO protection behind him!
However, if you’ve been watching the games, you see him getting better and better every week!!!
What he said!
Another article about the grass, it’s color and the otherside….YAWN!
Well, Ike Davis is in rehab for a serious ankle injury. Otherwise he would be on your list with stanton, heyward, etc.
Damn straight!
If Murphy did not get hurt and had a regular position so too would he be listed!
Personally I don’t blame Murphy for his lack of position I blame the team for not finding a place or making room for him.
If Reyes does leave that problem might be solved…
Turner/Tejada at SS
Murphy at 2B.
OR
Turner/Tejada at 2B, Murphy at 3B and Wright as SS!
Stranger things have happened!
If Murphy could show that he could handle any position defensively, the Mets would probably stick him there. Unfortunately, the only two he can play without embarrassing or hurting himself are 3B and 1B, and those are spoken for.
[...] Where Are Our Stud Players? | Mets Merized Online After watching the Mets get smoked in Arizona this past week, one of the only bright spots during the games was watching Justin Upton. The guy is a flat out. [...]