Finally we come to the end of our 2011 Amazin Avenue Top 50 Mets Prospects series. Yes, it's finally time for the top 10. As I've mentioned all week, you can find all of these rankings and a whole lot more in the minor league section of the 2011 Amazin' Avenue Annual. You can also find all of the previous rankings here (#41-50), here (#31-40), here (#21-30) and here (#11-20).
But first, the ST Farm Reports: Last night Triple-A Buffalo made their spring training debut, dropping their 2011 opener 5-4 to former Mets affiliate and current Marlins affiliate New Orleans. Of the interesting names in this one RHP Josh Stinson started and pitched three scoreless innings while RF Fernando Martinez went 1-for-3 at the dish. Big Val Pascucci went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
As for the Double-A squad, they were bested by the Dodgers' Jacksonville affiliate 12-3. RHP Matt Harvey made his first career start against pro competition and allowed three runs in a couple of innings; anticlimactic if I may say so. RHP Erik Turgeon followed with three more runs allowed in one inning pitched and RHP Brandon Moore was even worse, allowing six runs in two more innings. On the bright side, CF Matt den Dekker continued to excel going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double. 3B Jefry Marte was the only other B-Met to have a multi-hit day (2-for-3). With some traffic at third base in the lower minors it should be interesting to see where Marte starts 2011. Righties Eric Beaulac and Colin McHugh also combined for three innings of scoreless relief work.
So without any further ado, click past the break for the conclusion of our rankings:
1. RHP Jenrry Mejia
| Team | League | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GO/AO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | GCL | 0 | 0 | 3.00 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6.00 | .333 |
| STL | FSL | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5.00 | .077 |
| BIN | EAS | 2 | 0 | 1.32 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 27.1 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 26 | 3.31 | .200 |
| BUF | INT | 0 | 0 | 1.13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3.33 | .200 |
| Minors | 2 | 0 | 1.28 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 42.1 | 29 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 45 | 4.00 | .200 | |
| MLB | 0 | 4 | 4.62 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.0 | 46 | 21 | 20 | 3 | 20 | 22 | 2.43 | .289 |
| Team | League | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GO/AO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIC | DWL | 0 | 1 | 3.38 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10.00 | .227 |
Despite misguided bullpen experiment in ‘10, 21-yr old righty still possesses the ceiling of a staff ace thanks to a developing 12-to-6 hammer curve and a downright special mid-90’s hard sinker. Should be back in the bigs for good by late 2011; murmurs of long-term bullpen role persist
2. SS Wilmer Flores
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAV | SAL | .278 | 66 | 277 | 30 | 77 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 44 | 120 | 23 | 37 | 2 | 1 | .342 | .433 | .775 |
| STL | FSL | .300 | 67 | 277 | 32 | 83 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 40 | 115 | 9 | 40 | 2 | 4 | .324 | .415 | .739 |
| Minors | .289 | 133 | 554 | 62 | 160 | 36 | 3 | 11 | 84 | 235 | 32 | 77 | 4 | 5 | .333 | .424 | .758 |
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAR | VWL | .320 | 31 | 103 | 13 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 45 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 | .365 | .437 | .802 |
Addressed ’09 concerns about power and plate discipline in the first half with Savannah, held his own in Hi-A as an 18-yr old in the second half with St. Lucie. Incredibly advanced hit tool and youth warrants high rankings but positional uncertainty precludes him from elite status.
3. RHP Matt Harvey
(no professional experience)
Drafted seventh overall in June, his excellent mix of high-90’s heat and promising secondary stuff plus an ideal pitcher’s build (6-4, 225) have many projecting a top half of the rotation workhorse. He’ll have to shore up somewhat spotty command but could move very quickly.
4. CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIN | EAS | .289 | 94 | 394 | 81 | 114 | 35 | 2 | 16 | 60 | 201 | 30 | 93 | 13 | 7 | .337 | .510 | .847 |
| BUF | INT | .225 | 30 | 120 | 10 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 43 | 11 | 39 | 0 | 0 | .295 | .358 | .654 |
| Minors | .274 | 124 | 514 | 91 | 141 | 43 | 3 | 18 | 77 | 244 | 41 | 132 | 13 | 7 | .327 | .475 | .802 |
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSS | AFL | .256 | 26 | 90 | 14 | 23 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 34 | 12 | 25 | 2 | 3 | .356 | .378 | .734 |
Another year, another Sterling Award; second straight year he posted 16 hrs, 13+ sb’s & 800+ OPS at new level, this time at Double-A. Ranking is highly contingent on staying in CF which he has the tools to do; sneaky fast with good tracking ability for someone built more like a football player.
5. 2B Reese Havens
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | FSL | .281 | 14 | 57 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 29 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 1 | .369 | .509 | .878 |
| BIN | EAS | .338 | 18 | 68 | 12 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 45 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .662 | 1.062 |
| Minors | .312 | 32 | 125 | 21 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 74 | 14 | 33 | 0 | 3 | .386 | .592 | .978 |
After revealing a recent rib surgery, injuries are a serious concern. In brief time at Double-A in ’10 he showed the kind of offensive potential (.446 wOBA) that has many envisioning a future All-Star but he won’t get there if he can’t stay on the field. Also moved off of short in ’10.
6. 3B Aderlin Rodriguez
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNG | APP | .312 | 61 | 250 | 44 | 78 | 22 | 0 | 13 | 48 | 139 | 15 | 43 | 3 | 1 | .352 | .556 | .908 |
| SAV | SAL | .200 | 8 | 30 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
| Minors | .300 | 69 | 280 | 47 | 84 | 23 | 0 | 14 | 59 | 149 | 21 | 53 | 3 | 1 | .350 | .532 | .882 |
18-yr old burst onto the scene with Kingsport, crushing 13 bombs with a fantastic .244 ISO. He’s probably a first baseman long-term but his good bat and massive power give him possibly the highest offensive potential of anyone on this list, with the ceiling of a 30+ home run masher.
7. OF Fernando Martinez
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | FSL | .267 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .313 | .333 | .646 |
| BUF | INT | .253 | 71 | 257 | 39 | 65 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 33 | 117 | 17 | 65 | 1 | 0 | .317 | .455 | .772 |
| Minors | .254 | 75 | 272 | 40 | 69 | 17 | 0 | 12 | 33 | 122 | 18 | 67 | 1 | 0 | .317 | .449 | .765 | |
| MLB | .167 | 7 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | .273 | .167 | .439 |
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESC | DWL | .333 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .333 | .583 |
More injuries and stagnation are hurting his stock but he remains in top 10 thanks to proven ability to hit for good power (.202 ISO in ’10) against near-major league pitching at age 21. Arthritic knee will limit him to corner OF where he’s likely a low OBP, power-hitting option at best.
8. OF Cesar Puello
Team
League
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
TB
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
SAV
SAL
.292
109
404
80
118
22
1
1
34
145
32
82
45
10
.375
.359
.734
Quickly rising in prospect circles thanks to excellent all-around game, the 19-yr old showed advanced offensive approach after modifying stance in May. If rumored move to CF pans out, his value jumps; if not, he’ll have to prove himself with a lot more in-game power after 1 homer in ‘10.
9. 3B Zach Lutz
Team
League
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
TB
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
MTS
GCL
.316
5
19
2
6
1
0
1
4
10
1
4
0
0
.350
.526
.876
STL
FSL
.000
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
.000
.000
.000
BIN
EAS
.289
61
225
42
65
14
0
17
42
130
33
63
0
2
.389
.578
.967
BUF
INT
.300
5
20
3
6
4
0
1
9
13
2
3
0
0
.364
.650
1.014
Minors
.287
72
268
47
77
19
0
19
55
153
36
72
0
2
.380
.571
.951
Obviously I'm very high on Lutz; injuries remain a concern but he quietly possesses one of the best all-around bats in the system. After proving his strong mix of power & patience in Double-A, Lutz is a big sleeper in any other organization, but unfortunately positionally locked in the minors with this club.
10. OF Lucas Duda
| Team | League | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIN | EAS | .286 | 45 | 161 | 30 | 46 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 34 | 81 | 29 | 27 | 1 | 0 | .411 | .503 | .914 |
| BUF | INT | .314 | 70 | 264 | 44 | 83 | 23 | 2 | 17 | 53 | 161 | 31 | 57 | 0 | 0 | .389 | .610 | .999 |
| Minors | .304 | 115 | 425 | 74 | 129 | 40 | 2 | 23 | 87 | 242 | 60 | 84 | 1 | 0 | .398 | .569 | .967 | |
| MLB | .202 | 29 | 84 | 11 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 35 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 0 | .261 | .417 | .678 |
Best minor league hitter in the system in ’10, a breakout campaign which delivered long-awaited power from the lumbering lefty; his 27 longballs were 2nd in the entire organization. Suddenly a very viable major league lefty platoon option right now with a starting corner OF slugger role becoming very real possibility.