The Future Of Mets' Outfielders

Half Full:

Kirk Nieuwenhuis – Nieuwenhuis has very quietly become the top outfield prospect in the organization. He was a 3rd rounder in 2008, out of Azusa Pacific, and has a lifetime .807 OPS after two professional seasons. Kirk either led or was in the top five in just about every offensive category last year in the Sally League.

Carlos Guzman – right behind Nieuwenhuis comes Guzman, a free agent signee out of the Brooklyn-Queens area. Guzman has impressed both with Savannah (2008) and St. Lucy (2009) and will move on this season to Binghamto with the entore 2009 Lucy outfield. Defensively, one of the strongest and most accurate arms in the minor leagues.

Sean Ratliff – It’ a lttle too early to tell, but Ratliff is making quite a name for himself. Baseball Cube gives him a 94 rating for power. But, they also give him a 10 for contact. Had 15-HRs and 68-RBIs for the Gnats last year and will play 2010 for Lucy.

David Wabick – D.J. doesn’t do too much wrong (.296 for the B-Mets in 2009 and .289 for Lucy in 2008). The problem is his lack of power. Only 11-HRs and 114-RBIs in his last 880-Abs. Currently projects out as the 2010 version of Angel Pagan.






Half Empty:

Fernando Martinez – Yes, I know, he was the MVP in the Carribean World Series. Big deal. Do the same at AAA and I’ll believe in you for the fifth time. In my book, Martinez is a dud and I’d love him to prove me wrong anytime he chooses to.

Juan Legares – it seems like this once 16-year old Latin has been around for decades. He is a man in search of a position, changing to the outfield last year and putting up respectful numbers (.274) in Savannah. Yes, he will turn only 21 next month, so there still is some hope for him, but he better start hitting (3-yr .331 slugging percentage).

Caleb Stewart – I’m not even sure Caleb is still in the organization. Stewart has played for the Mets for six seasons and produced a lifetime record of .260/.346/.443/.789 in 1837-ABs. Simply put, it ain’t good enough to make the Bigs and now all the Mets have to do is decide if he is to become one of their AAAA players.

Emmanuel Garcia – I remember standing outside the minor team building with Emmanuel last year and we both agreed that 2009 had to be the year for him to live up to his past prospect status. He didn’t, going .246/.305/.328/.662, in 491-Abs, for Binghamton. He’s played five years for the Mets, survived Rule V, and is fast as hell, but, like Stewart, it just ain’t enough.