Widely regarded as the best International pitcher available, except some guy named Chapman, the Mets signed the 16yo to a $1.2MM bonus. Urbina already throws a 90MPH fastball, and a change that projects to be at least Major League average. He commands both pitches well, and has an extremely advanced feel for pitching, for a player so young. The downside is that he still struggles with his secondary offerings, and will need an improved Slider to experience significant success. The success rate for high profile 16yo Latin American pitchers isn’t great, but Urbina has all the makings of a good one. Expect for the Mets to have him make his U.S. debut in the GCL later this summer. - link
2B (2009 – Power 75; First Base Rate 58; Discipline 55; Speed 39) - Admittedly, we have not been as high on Havens, as have others, ever since the Mets took him in the first round of the 2008 draft. It’s not that he is without skills, just that we never saw him as a capable SS, and that makes his upside rather limited as a secondbasemen. We would have liked him as a solid pick if the Mets had gotten him a round later. A string of nagging injuries have limited him to 440 At Bats over his first two seasons, so there are plenty of unanswered questions, but for now, we know that as a 22yo in Hi-A he was only able to manage a .247/.361/.422 and he fanned in 18% of his PAs, without showing any real speed, or defensive prowess. The most encouraging aspect to his game is that he has a patient batting approach that should allow him to consistently reach base. In fact, we are somewhat surprised that he hasn’t batted more than .247 over his first two seasons. While he has good power for 2B, if he proves unable to stick there defensively, his bat becomes average, at best, as a corner OF. Look for him to open 2010 at AA, with a potential September call-up, if things go well. - link
LHP - The Mets were able to draft Matz, in the second round this past June, right where we expected him to go. Matz possesses a low-90s fastball, with an average Change. While both his Curve and Slider are currently below average pitches, they show some promise. At 6’3”, 185lbs, there is still significant projection here. Relatively raw, Matz does have some mechanics issues with his delivery. Expect the Mets to keep him back in extended Spring Training to start the season, before deciding on his initial assignment—likley in a short-season league. - link
RP – There is not a lot of upside in a 30yo right-handed reliever, who wasn’t even a closer in Japan, but the Mets signed him to a two year, $3 MM, contract in an effort to bolster their bullpen. With a fastball that can get into the mid-90s, and a quality splitter, the Mets expect Igarashi to make significant contributions, beginning this year. So, while the ceiling isn’t very high, the certainty factor is extremely high. This appears to be the appropriate place for a couple of years of solid Major League middle relief/set-up value. - link
OF (2009 – Power 55; First Base Rate 51; Discipline 42; Speed 75) - Without any single skill that grades as exceptional, it is easy to overlook Puello. However, he has at least average skills across the board, with Speed being his best skill. Only 18yo in 2009, Puello posted the #8 score in the APY. While Puello is capable of playing all three defensive OF positions, he is likely most valuable in RF. His greatest weakness is strike zone management, as he fanned in over 24% of his PAs. Puello doesn’t possess the upside of some of the other Latin American talent that has appeared on this list, but his floor could very well be that of a 4th OF type. Look for Puello to get his first taste of full-season ball in 2010, where he will take on the SAL as barely a 19yo. - link
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