but I tend to agree with your assessment that he can be a lot more than anyone initially expected. He does legitimately have 3 different FB’s, a curve and a change now. If he continues to refine his command he could eventually get to that point.

That would be nice, Stapler. Always liked Buehrle. I am very impressed with how Niese has progressed this year despite the difficult results at first. The organization’s hand has been forced due to the injuries and ineffectiveness. i think i read a Jerry Manuel quote where he said that despite the good stretch in Buffalo, the reports weren’t as good as the numbers. And I wondered if there really were reports from Mets personnel in that vein or if he and others had decided based on what they’d already seen they just didn’t like him. Hard to believe given the numbers during that stretch that there would be some bad reports. From Bernazard?

The Met’s farm system has been a real eye-opener this year. Ike Davis has just been mashing, and even with the platoon splits and strikeout issues, he has hit his way into big time prospect status in my eyes. Maybe not up there with Smoak, but closing in on Alonso, Morrison et al in the next tier as far as 1b prospects.

Mejia and Holt are now gaining recognition as top 50 guys (Davis not yet but his power surge has been more recent) .

Flores’ slash line may not be awesome but at 17 he is showing real potential.

I have searched for some comparisons for Tejada but it is hard to find anyone who was a 19 year old double A shortstop who was similar in his slash line, speed, etc. I really like the fact that he stepped it up from the pitcher friendly FSL at 18 to his line in the EL, which is not as tough but isn’t a hitter league like Texas. Asdrubal Cabrera to me is a hopeful comparison, or Maicer Izturis, who is a useful player on a AL Division leading perrenial Angels. Izturis was not in AA at such a young age, though, but I could see Tejajda growing into similar stats as those guys are posting.

You’ve got hit machine Thole, a possible young Jason Kendall type.

And Havens is garnering attention as he heats up, there being a nice debate that several here have weighed in on over at Sickel’s blog, but not just Met’s fans, saying he is better than, Adrian Cardenas. His power and eye bode well, and he should have a good glove for 2b.

That’s a nice collection of potential regulars or at least platoon guys who will all be at or closing in on upper levels next year. Very encouraging considering the rest of the core is still young, or young enough, that this nightmare season is likely just a blip. It’ll help so much when if a guy like castillo or reyes mises some time (we hope not multiple months like this year), someone like Tejada or Havens will be depth and not Ramon Martinez or Valdez.