Mets Positional Future - 2B

Positional Future – 2B

No position on the Mets baseball team has had more people run through it in the past 5 years. I’m not even going to begin to list the fodder.

For now, the starting second baseman (Luis Castillo) isn’t starting that often because of Damion Easley’s wonderful fill in job he has done since the all-star break. Even more exciting is the emergence of Daniel Murphy to the parent squad, who is projected to go back to 2B full time either when Castillo’s contract runs out, is bought out, or is traded.

Murphy is no outfielder, yet he has earned a locker at CitiField, but is he supposed to sit on his ass for 3 years waiting for Castillo to go away?

I assume something will be done here. Easley might survive as a utility player one more year, but that’s all. And the Mets will somehow deal with the contract they ridiculously gave this guy.
But what happens if they stay with Castillo, trade away Murphy in some deal for a 1Bman or real outfielder, Easley retires, and then Luis goes down with a season-ending injury?
Well, the fact it, what happens to either Castillo, or Murphy… or both… is directly tied into what’s in the pipeline in the Mets system.

I’m not going to break down every Met player that owns a 2Bman’s glove, but here are just the guys I have in my Top 50 Mets Prospects list, their age (projected age player will be on opening day 2009), stats from last year, and other tidbits:

2B:
Current Mets:

Luis Castillo:

33-yrs old - Contract through 2011


Dan Murphy:

23-yrs old – drafted 2006
3 full years training at University of Jacksonville
2009 will be the 4th year of commitment to Mets

Damion Easley:

39-yrs old - Free agent after 2008 season


Pipeline:

Greg Veloz

21-yrs old - Sterling Award Winner in 2008 - .278 BA Gnats/Lucy – 29 SB
2009 will be his 3rd year of commitment to Mets

Josh Satin

24-yrs old – batted .280 for the Clones in 2008 – 6th round draft pick ‘08
4 years of college training at Univ. of California

2008 was his 1st year of commitment to Mets

Kyle Suire

23-yrs old – batted .297 for K-Port in 2008 – 35th rounder in 2008

2 years college training at Louisiana Univ – Monroe

2008 was his 1st year of commitment to Mets

Alonzo Harris

19-yrs old – 39th rounder in 2007 – out of H.S.

2009 will be 3rd year of commitment to Mets


It seems pretty obvious that the Mets are in great shape right now at second base. I’d like to think than Murphy gets the job for the next 5-7 years, but, if he doesn’t for some reason (and one of those reasons can be a phone call from some other team’s GM after watching the great showcasing job the Mets did this fall with him) stick around with the Mets, it looks like to me that Veloz could become major league ready by… let’s see… 2009 in Lucy… 2010 in B-Town… 2011 in Buffalo… gee, that would be right at the end of Castillo’s contract.

If you’re asking why do you draft both Satin and Suire, you do so the hope is the organization turns out one major league second baseman every 4-5 years. No one was sure of Veloz (and frankly, it’s still far to early to tell on him either) at the time of the draft, and here are two guys that have played college ball and have matured their talents in school at no cost to the team. The good news is both are off to a great start and will follow behind Veloz in case he stumbles. Remember, you draft by talent, not position. Many draftees do not reach the majors playing the same position they played in high school and/or college. If the talent is there, you’re find a place for the talented player.

Even better news is the great start Harris had this year. Harris was a late signee from the 2007 draft that played the entire 2008 season for the GCL Mets, going .308/.379/.510 in 104 at bats. He’s a high school boy born in 1989, so there’s plenty of time here to develop.

Positional need to draft:

Absolutely none, but always, always draft the best ‘middle fielder’ available.

Positional need to trade:

Again, absolutely none. In fact, the Mets have some room to deal up either Murphy or Veloz in a package deal for a seasoned vet needed at another position.