In one of yesterday’s posts, I saw a little debate pop up as to which GM inherited a better farm system between Omar Minaya and Sandy Alderson. In my mind, the perception was that Alderson had a significantly stronger base of prospects to work with than Minaya did, but I decided to see what I could dig up to support that perception.

I decided to go to the ultimate authority on prospects and minor league systems, Baseball America to see what the Mets top prospects looked like in the periods 2004-2005 compared to 2010-2011. Take a look…

Minaya was unable to reap even one everyday player from the farm system he inherited. Carlos Gomez lasted one season as an everyday player until the .244 career hitter settled into a reserve role with different organizations. Philip Humber had his one moment in the sun when he tossed a perfect game for the White Sox in April, but he’s been one of the league’s worst pitchers since and boasts a 5.93 ERA this season. Jesus Flores? He’s batting .222 as a backup catcher for the Washington Nationals these days. That’s it.

Alderson has reaped five everyday players already in Ike Davis, Jon Niese, Josh Thole, Ruben Tejada and Matt Harvey. Plus based on comments made yesterday and today by Alderson and Terry Collins, you can count Lucas Duda and Jenrry Mejia as everyday players beginning on September 1st and continuing onto the 2013 season. Wilmer Flores, has now become the top hitting prospect in the Mets system and could possibly debut late in 2013 as well. Kirk Nieuwenhuis has an undefined  role going forward, but is not completely out of the picture for the starting center field job next season. Harvey and Tejada could be future All Stars, and Ike Davis could become one of the best power-hitting first basemen in the league and is already a Gold Glove caliber defender. Jon Niese was so highly regarded by Alderson that he quickly locked up his prized southpaw to a five-year deal this season.

I think this settles which general manager inherited the better system. And it’s not even close…

Omar Minaya left Sandy Alderson with a strong bounty to build with including potential core players in Matt Harvey, Ruben Tejada and Jon Niese.

In fact, the other day, Mike Francesa asked Sandy Alderson when the Mets were ever going to be “his” team.

Alderson replied, “What do you mean… This is my team.”

The point Francesa was making, much like the last two seasons, sailed completely over Sandy Alderson’s head.