MVN - Most Valuable Network

Top 10 Prospects: New York Mets

One by one I plan on taking a look at all 30 Major League Baseball teams and ranking their top ten prospects in order (click here to see others so far). As always let me know if you agree or disagree with any of my rankings.

1.) Mike Pelfrey, RHP
Pelfrey has an outstanding arm action that enables him to produce very good velocity (88-95 mph) and movement on his two and four seam fastballs. He also has two solid complementary pitches with a curve (78-83 mph) and circle change (73-79 mph). His delivery also allows him to stay tall and take advantage of his 6’7” height. Pelfrey will be the ace of the future for the Mets.

2.) Fernando Martinez, OF
Martinez has a very good glove in centerfield and has potential to be something special at the plate too with his power potential and very good bat speed. In low A ball last year he hit .333/.389/.505 in 45 games. With Carlos Beltran in center the next few years, Martinez will probably move to left. There’s no rush to move him to the majors anytime soon so this should help ease some pressure so he can develop in the next few years in the minors.

3.) Carlos Gomez, OF
Gomez looks to be an offensive threat due to his aggressive hitting approach and lighting quick speed (41 steals last season in AA). He has shown a lot of talent in the outfield especially with this strong arm and excellent ability to cover a lot of ground. The Mets will have a very special outfield in the next few years with Gomez, Martinez, and Carlos Beltran.

4.) Phil Humber, RHP
Humber bounced back quickly from Tommy John surgery and posted a 2.83 ERA and .199 opponents average last season. The righty has a drop-and-drive delivery which makes it extremely difficult for hitters to pick up his strong fastball (90-97 mph), his 12-to-6 curveball (often thought of as his best pitch), and his splitter (all three are plus pitches).

5.) Jonathan Niese, LHP
Niese has the ability to throw four different pitches for strikes. While his best pitch is his splitter, he needs to work more on bettering his changeup as well as his command on his fastball. Until he can master these, he won’t be effective enough. Mets coaches are hoping that a little more work in the minors will fix these problems for this very talented kid.

6.) Deolis Guerra, RHP
Guerra was the youngest starting pitcher in full-season baseball last summer (he was born in 1989 which makes me feel very old). Has a very raw talent that will begin to be solidified as he gets older and gets more work in. Large frame at 6’5” and 200 lbs with a 89-91 mph fastball and increasingly improving changeup and curve. It is crucial the Mets don’t move too fast with this kid and just let him develop as he has all the potential in the world.

7.) Joe Smith, RHP
Smith has flown through the Mets organization with his sidearm delivery. While a delivery like his will usually subtract velocity, his fastball is sitting 88-91 mph (topping out at 94) with a sinking action. This combined with a nasty slider (which destroys right handed hitters) and much improved changeup has catapulted him to the Mets bullpen. Smith has all the tools to be a great set-up man for many years with the possibility of closing.

8.) Kevin Mulvey, RHP
Mulvey has two solid pitches including a fastball (90-92 mph) and a changeup (82-84 mph which looks the same as his fastball coming out of his hand with very good movement). He also has a curveball and slider but neither are effective enough yet as an out pitch. It’s tough to tell exactly how he will progress, but I see him as a possible middle of the rotation type guy depending on if he can solidify a third pitch.

9.) Mike Carp, 1B
Carp looks to have the most pure power in the Mets organization but needs to work on his plate discipline. Carp also has a bit of a long swing so shortening that up will help a lot. Most of his power that he has displayed has come in line drives and to the gaps. Defense is ok and should be fine at that position.

10.) Francisco Pena, C
Pena is the son of former major league catcher Tony Pena so there is a lot of attention around this kid. He is a lean, athletic backstop with moderate power and the ability to handle the bat. Though his offensive game has a ways to go, he does have a good approach and spreads the ball around the field well. His arm strength and receiving skills are by far his best attribute just like his father.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 7th, 2007 at 12:14 pm and is filed under Top 10, Whipps' Archives, New York Mets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.