Minor Mets 101 - June 6, 2010

This will be a new daily posting in which I will highlight what might be going on in the brain trust room of the Mets executives that have something to say about the future of the Mets and the ballplayers being developed in the system. Hopefully, it will give you a more accurate look at exactly what a ball team tries to accomplish here. Remember… the Mets are a 25-man squad.


June 6, 2010 - A rare occurrence happened yesterday in Queens. The Met fielded an infield of four organizational trained players… Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada, Jose Reyes, and David Wright. It’s especially an exciting thing because of all the heat Omar & Company gets about not developing home grown talent. This just isn’t true folks. Yes, the Mets may not be overflowing with top players throughout the system, but moony more teams suffer from the same problems. I’m not sure, but I think the last time this happened was when Rey Ordonez was on short, Fonzie was on second, and I can’t remember the other two… a current Mets minor league “smoked-filled” meeting of brain trust starts with some simply etched in stone statements.


One, nothing exists beyond 2015. It doesn’t matter who has what contract. It’s tough enough to figure out who the hell is playing next Tuesday.


Two, left field, third base, first base, SP1, SP2, and closer are set. Baring injuries and any failures to extend contracts between a team that loves who’s currently playing there, and a player that loves playing for this team, you can concentrate all developmental efforts on the other 19 positions.


Second base remains a big question mark, even though the promotion of Ruben Tejada looks like he has the number one post position in the race. In actuality, everyone would be much happier if he could have stayed on shirt and Daniel Murphy could have improved defensively to the point of replacing Luis Castillo some day here. Tejada has a date with Jose Reyes someday, which is a whole different store. The good news… he knocked in a run today for the Mets and he’s holding his own in the Majors.


Jesus Feliciano went nuts again last night, going 5-6 and raising his league leading BA to .392. I know Omar Santos was called up because Henry Blanco was banged up, but this guy really deserves a cup of coffee after an incredible minor league career for the Mets. Give him a week in Queens when all three catchers are healthy again.


The only other players in Buffalo that played last night that have a future in Queens were RP Manny Acosta and SP Dylan Owen. Both didn’t the test. Pitching wise, only Dillon Gee looks to have any chance of making it in the majors some day.


It was the Kirk Nieuwenhuis show in Binghamton… six RBIs on two doubles. Reese Havens (1-6, .320) continues to play every day at second, Eric Neisen delivered six excellent innings, and Eddie Kunz got the save.


Sean Ratliff continues to play second base for St. Lucie, instead of DH, and continues to hit well (2-4, .326). Jordany Valdespin is back to playing short and is batting .310. You have to think at this point that the last thing the Mets are going to work about is drafting either a SS or 2B in the first round Monday. SP Kyle Allen continues to be one of many Lucy starters that struggle.


If I was in charge of the war room, I’d be sitting back and saying that, between Tejada, Havens, Valdespin, Murphy, and Satin. That I’ve already solved the second base problem through 2015.


And… I would turn my attention to catcher, center field, and another Mike Pelfrey on Monday.