The Mets farm system, while considered middle of the pack, has come a long way in recent years.  The organization, while being frugal at the big league level, has spent more freely attempting to replenish the minors.

Last year, Matt Harvey, Robert Carson, Josh Edgin, Jeurys Familia, Collin McHugh,
Elvin Ramirez, and Jordany Valdespin all made their big league debuts.

Having said that, today we focus on four Mets prospects facing crossroads in their careers.  These players, for varying reasons, have floundered and have reached put-up or shut-up time.

1. Reese Havens: Omar Minaya was downright giddy in 2008 after selecting Ike
Davis 18th and then the 2nd baseman Havens 22nd overall in the draft. Since then, Havens has suffered almost every conceivable injury.  Havens has shown flashes of offensive brilliance, marginal defense, and an inability to stay in the lineup. Even more discouraging Havens last year stayed healthy enough
to get over 300 ABs yet hit a paltry .215 at Double-A Binghamton at age 25. Havens may get a shot at Triple-A Las Vegas.  Wherever he lands he’d better rake.
The Mets still think enough of him to have him on their 40-man roster protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.

2. Jenry Mejia: Mejia is the Mets version of Joba Chamberlain.  Over the last four years he’s been jerked around between the rotation and bullpen numerous times. He missed significant time in 2010-11 due to injury perhaps a result of the back and forth. While seemingly around forever, Mejia is still only 23.
Hopefully the Mets will let him make 28 or so starts and see what they have. Some think he will make the Mets bullpen given its sad state.  What they need to do is commit one way or the other

3. Brad Holt: Drafted as a first round sandwich pick (33rd behind Davis & Havens). Holt is a pitcher with a gifted arm.  Suddenly, in his third season, he couldn’t find home plate with a GPS.  A starter initially, he was relegated to bullpen duty. Last year he showed some signs walking a more reasonable 28 in
47.2 innings. However, he is now 26 and has spent parts if not all of four seasons in Double-A.  He is not on the 40-man roster and went unclaimed in the Rule 5 Draft, which says something.

4. Matt den Dekker: Already an accomplished center fielder den Dekker has
developed a knack for struggling at each level, figuring it out, then mashing until promoted.  Last year he hit .340 in Double-A  then .220 in Triple-A showing
extra base power at both levels.  He has tremendous speed. At 25 den Dekker will be the Triple-A center fielder. His glove is already big league.  How he hits will determine if he’s a regular or spare part.

Honorable mention:
Darrell Ceciliani – Needs to stay in one piece or he’ll be Reese Havens part deux. 
Robbie Shields – A high draft pick ss who hasn’t hit in Hi-A.
Collin McHugh – Could be the first starter called up if a Mets pitcher gets hurt.
Has to refine location as he doesn’t throw hard or may top out at Triple-A. 
Cory Vaughn – Son of former slugger Greg Vaughn. Holes in his swing have trapped him at Hi-A. Must adjust to breaking stuff.

14 comments on “A pivotal season for several Mets prospects

  • Peter Hyatt

    What to do with our third base prospect who has become a slugger? Trade bait?

    • JEFF GARRIGAN

      If you’re refering to Wilmer Flores, he’s going to split time between 2nd & 3rd. The Mets have said they will not try him in the outfield. he’s just too slow. 2nd or 1st is probably his best hope. If it’s Anderlin Rodriguez you mean, he’s probably a 1st baseman. I saw him several times last year and he doesn’ permeate energy. Has makeup concerns.

  • AV

    I have a good feeling about Havens this year; that swing is too natural. Getting hurt in Spring Training was bad enough but the fact that he did after Terry Collins singled him out as someone that he’s curious to see seemed to mess with his confidence. I feel like Havens’ issues were mostly in his head last season.

    • JEFF GARRIGAN

      Could be. I want to see 500 at bats. You can’t strut your stuff from the d.l. Look at Grady Sizemore. Perfect example.

    • Bringback86

      Reminds me a little of Jeff Keppinger????

  • andrew silvestri

    mets donot know how to make minor league trades flores rodiquez al type palyers some pitcher prospects good taems trade for what they need of inf pitchers many of them amke minor league deals to improve major league level team i know the systems farm teams alderson is the frankenstein of mets cannot build minor league levels drsfted ss need of look at that i knew mr mccialvaine ex gm of mets dicussed baseabll prospects joe knew what was going on wilpon sandy im not sure they aware wahts going on what their club not fans last year one mistake this y aer people stay away from citi park by the droves mets must make minor league trades

    • dufenschmertz

      Huh?

    • billy ball

      I think Andrew’s having a stroke. Someone should go check on him.

      • JEFF GARRIGAN

        Easy guys. Maybe he’s dislexic

  • JEFF GARRIGAN

    make that dyslexic.

  • JEFF GARRIGAN

    All kidding aside, Joe Mac had his good and bad moments. I think Alderson is doing what he needs to do. Remember when Donny Walsh was hired by the Knicks, his task was to get the Knicks salary cap disaster under control which he did in a remarably short time frame. He’s not, for varying reason, still in NY to enjoy the fruits of those labors, but without him the Knicks wouln’t have been in position to make the moves they made. Same with Sandy. He had to not only deal with the Wilpons financial woes, but also a bottom tier farm system. Omar Minaya should get some credit for the farm system too, but Sandy has spent what he could on the big team, but never scrimping on player developement. Hopefully Alderson will be here when his overall plan unfolds

    • jeff

      never scrimping on player developement

      ? lol really?

      axing a farm team, not even making a realistic offer to your 2nd round high upside pick last year?

      those ring a bell?

      • JEFF GARRIGAN

        Sometimes you have to make decisions. With the new slotting and spending restrictions this year you had to pick your spots. A high school pitcher is probably the riskiest to pay over slot. As for the Gulf Coast team, I agree. I guess never say never, but my point is what money they did have to spend was mostly focused on developement as opposed to putting on band aids in Flushing. Apreciate the friendly tone of your coments though.

  • JEFF GARRIGAN

    should read comments.

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