9/3/10

2011 ROSTER PROJECTION: - #34 - 3B - Jefry Marte

34. Jefry Marte – 3B – A –


Marte was signed as an international free agent in 2007.


In late January 2007, Baseball America listed Marte as the 27th top Mets prospect, saying: “very raw but has big power potential”


In August 2008, ProjectProspect wrote: Overshadowed by organization-mate Wilmer Flores, Marte is another exciting teenage infielder the Mets are developing. Although he isn’t playing in the Appalachian League like Flores, what Marte is doing at such a young age in the GCL should not be overlooked. With a wOBA over .380, he's starting to build up his reputation. Marte has shown good power (.197 IsoP) while striking out in just 16.8% of his at-bats -- impressive for someone his age. Now 143 plate appearances into his pro career, Marte has shown just about everything you can ask for out of a 17-year-old third baseman, and he seems like a strong bet to succeed going forward.


In 2008, Marte played a full season with the GCL Mets, hitting .325/.398/.532/.930 in 154 at bats, which included 14 doubles 3 triples, 4 home runs, 24 RBIs (in 44 games), and 19 errors.


In September 2008, Baseball America listed the top 20 prospects coming out of the GCL league, and Marte was ranked 3rd.. He also won the Sterling Award as the the top Met player for the GCL team.


In March 2009, Rotoworld ranked the Mets Top 10 Prospect: While he was overshadowed by Flores, Marte was another big-time success story last season after being signed as a 16-year-old in 2007. He stood out in the GCL because of his ability to drive the ball the other way. It's likely that he'll keep hitting for strong averages all of the way up the ladder. His power will result in more doubles than homers, but he might have the bat to make it at first if his glove forces him off third. He's not going to be an option at the hot corner in New York anyway.


In March 2009: My World Of Baseball on: Jefry Marte 3B (Mets) - While Wilmer Flores may not be able to stay at short for the Mets, Jefry has the tools for third base. If Wilmer moves to third Jefry has the speed that he can play the outfield, though he may not develop the power to fit at a corner position and his speed is not adequate to cover center. His .325 average his indicative of what he should do, hit for high average with enough power to be a run producer at third base. What he has to be careful of is that he uses the whole field and doesn’t try to force power by pulling the ball, sacrificing his average but not hitting for enough power to make the balance worthwhile. Next year should be his first year in a full season league.


9-15-09 from: - http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?cat=42  - 6. Jefry Marte 3B - Like Flores, he was an 18 year old playing in Low A. His numbers were also unimpressive, .233, 6 homeruns and only a .338 slugging. His 25 to 117 walk to K ratio was much worse than Flores and needs to show improvement if he wants to advance. With David Wright at third, a decision does not need to be made soon whether it is Marte or Flores who is the player they will keep as their future third baseman. The loser may have to move to the outfield. Marte needs to learn that he is no Vladimir Guerrero and can not hit breaking pitches that are out of the strike zone.


Forecast: Let’s face it, Marte has no future as a Mets’ third baseman, and the sooner they move him to either the outfield or first base, the sooner all of us will be able to start analyzing him at that position. Most minor league organizations don’t like to screw around with someone defensively before they get their act together offensively. Marte did neither in Savannah this year, so expect him back as a Sand Gnat, and still playing third base as a teenager.


2-1-10: - Jenry Marte – Marte rode the prospect train of Wilmer Flores last year and proved he has a long way to go before he will be ranked again in the top 10 list. Marte makes fielding a ground ball into a contact sport. Watch for him to remain in Savannah until he gets his defense down, or until the Mets wash their hands of him.


6-12-10: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2010/2610180.html  - Jefry Marte, 3B, Mets. Marte struggled throughout the 2009 season, but it could be explained away by the fact that he was one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League. Marte, 18, is still one the league's younger players, but a second trip through the league hasn't made hitting any easier. Marte is hitting .231/.313/.333 this season and is in the midst of a 3-for-21 slump this week. There are signs of hope though—Marte has upped his walk rate and cut his strikeout rate this year, he's just not yet driving the ball with much authority


7-11-10: - Marte is one of the… now… many 16-year olds that the Mets rush off to the States to work with in hopes of developing someone they can send to Queens as fast as IF Ruben Tejada and P Jenrry Mejia got there. The good news was the fact that Jefry was playing next to another 16-year old, SS Wilmer Flores, that got most of the press and kept the pressure off of him.The bad news was the fact that Jefry was playing next to another 16-year old, SS Wilmer Flores, who made him look like a second-class citizen. Add to that the fact that Marte plays defense like an antelope in highway traffic, and, needless to say, it’s been a slow start for the prospect. The just turned 19-year old went 3-5 Saturday night, that included two home runs, one triple and four RBIs His season stats at Savannah are modestly: .239/.319/.384/.703, 6-HR, 37-RBI, .145-ISOP, .283-BABIP. Opinion: Work slowly with this kid… let him finish his second season at Savannah and give him a shot at St. lucie in 2011. The Mets have to keep trying to find a position for someone that simply can’t play well in the field. Some think he will eventually move to third base while others say right field. Bottom line… no one is going to play in Citi Field that can’t play excellent defense at either position. Marte is a future trade chip in a deal that is years away.


7-16-10: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/7/16/1572497/mets-farm-system-mid-term-review  - Let's get the good news out of the way first: he's still very, very young, one of the younger guys in the league. He's still very talented, has room to grow, etc. And he has shown some improvement this season. His batting average is obviously up 20 points, the isolated power is up 34, the isolated discipline up 31. He's already matched his 2009 season output in home runs, and he's close in doubles. But you have to remember: Marte's already repeating the level. You expect him to play well, and he's still a far way from the great .325/.398/.532 line he put up in the GCL in 2008. As it is, he's below average across the board. And you know he's not in there for his defense, with him having already committed 23 errors after committing 49 a year ago. Marte is a guy who needs a big second half or he's at risk of repeating the level for a second time.


8-5-10: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/8/5/1606179/2010-top-20-new-york-mets  - Jefry Marte, 3B, Grade C+: .264/.333/.401 for Low-A Savannah. Not awful, not great, just 19 years old. Currently out with a bad hamstring.

In 2010, Marte repeated Savannah with the results of: .264/.333/.401/.735, 329-AB, 6-HR, 44-RBI, only 65-K. He finished the season on the DL with a left hamstring pull.

2011 Forecast:  -  The Mets made a very smart move repeating Marte in Savannah, which results in more hitting and less errors in the field. Considering his age, I would love to see him repeat the Gnats again, but it looks like he's being pushed to Lucy by Aderlin Rodriquez, who finished the season in Savannah. That being said, Rodriquez is a top 10 Mets prospect and could easily go straight to St. Lucie also. What is Marte's future at third base, what with the likes of David Wright, Zach Lutz, and Rodriquez ahead of him?  Time will tell.

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