A Mau(uel) Crush, Dump 2010, Kranepool, BA's Cut List...and Organizational Rankings

A Man(uel) Crush:

I don't blame Jerry, it's hard not to see this kid pitch and start salivating. Especially since, Jerry's got a set-up problem that's yet to fix itself and this kid's got unlimited potential. It's hard for Jerry to not think about teaming this kid up with K-Rod in the back-end of the Mets bullpen.

My message to Jerry would be to hold on. Don't get ahead of yourself. There is too much potential for this kid as a starter to just throw him out there in the eighth inning to save your job. I think Omar knows that, which is why Puma writes in his article, "Minaya made it known before yesterday’s game that the plan is for Mejia to begin the season as a starter for Double-A Binghamton." I have no idea why Omar is being so smart about this, given his proclivity to do this in the past. - link

Dump 2010:

I am in no way trying to make the argument that the Mets should bail on the 2010 season, though if the news is grim on Jose Reyes, that may be a decent idea.

But the impressive showings from the young players- Fernando Martinez, Ike Davis, Jenrry Mejia and others- make me more excited about 2011 than 2010.

Think about it this way: by 2011, the Mets will have another full season of data on Martinez, Davis, Mejia, Josh Thole, Jon Niese, Fernando Nieve, Brad Holt, Reese Havens, Chris Carter, Ruben Tejada, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Nick Evans.

That is a dozen players who can not just help the Mets, but help them in areas they badly need reinforcements. The starting rotation? Four candidates. The outfield? First base? Another five candidates. Middle infield? Havens and Tejada. And of course, Thole has another year to solidify his spot as catcher of the future. - link

Kranepool:

Everyone knows the story of Kranepool, who even was sent down after the 1969 championship season. To this day he still holds some offensive records, but that is due more to longevity than quality seasons. Amos Otis is another who was brought up at age 20 in 1967, would struggle in New York, only to be a key offensive part of the late seventies Royals. A year later, Mike Jorgensen, a promising first base prospect was brought up at 19 years of age. He would be traded, along with Ken Singleton, to Montreal in the Rusty Staub deal. Although never becoming a star, Jorgensen had some quality seasons with the Expos. Fast forward 20 years and Gregg Jefferies made his debut at the age of 19, while 15 years later Jose Reyes made was called up at age 20. -  link

BA's Cut List:

These were the Mets prospects that didn't make the BA top 100 list, but did get votes:

Player, Pos, Team Votes Highest Rank

Brad Holt, rhp, Mets 2 112

Reese Havens, ss Mets 1 124
Jon Niese, lhp, Mets 1 131

observation:  not enough players on list... and...  with all due respect, what has Havens done to earn being named on all these prospect lists?

Organizational Rankings:

15. New York Mets


Last Year’s Ranking: 18

Why They Are Here: The system is on the upswing, thanks to a nice group coming from the international market and, for the first time in a while, a draft class (2009) that looks like it will pay some dividends. With four Top 101 prospects and a three-star list that runs into the early teens, there's room for optimism here.

Where They Will Be Next Year: The Mets could add another Top 50-type with the seventh overall pick in the draft, their highest slot since 2004, and fourth-highest pick in the last 25 years. Top prospects like Jenrry Mejia and Ike Davis have more of a 2011 timetable, so Fernando Martinez is the only top prospect likely to lose his eligibility this season. - link