By default, the team's minor league prospect hierarchy was headed by teenagers, recent draft picks, and players that had yet to play in a full-season league.
Although this plummeted the Mets' organizational outlook, several of these potential-only prospects elevated their abilities and intrigued a wide variety of scouts.
In 2009, the 10 top prospects in the Mets' system consist mostly of low-level talents with highly regarded skill sets and potential that could correspond to major league success.
1. Wilmer Flores - SS
Flores debuted in 2008 as an international free agent signed out of Venezuela. The 17-year-old dominated the Appalachian League and started in the league's All Star game at shortstop. His progress led to a season finale A-ball with Savannah and leaves him with the exciting opportunity to reach the majors while still a teenager.
ETA: 2011
2. Fernando Martinez - OF
The "teenage hitting machine" spent the entire season, outside of a injury-rehab assignment, with the Mets' AA affiliate in Binghamton. He displayed better on-base skills and more power than in 2007, while also improving his defensive abilities. Already recognized as one of baseball's top prospects, the 19-year-old could become the Mets' starting left fielder by mid-season, assuming that the team's projected platoon doesn't provide enough offense.
ETA: 2009
3. Brad Holt - RHP
Scouts raved about Holt's fastball heading into the draft, but it was widely believed that his lack of another plus pitch, as well as his control would drop him to the second or even third round; however, the Mets took him as a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds. Holt bedeviled the New York - Penn. League, leading his peers in earned run average and strikeouts.
ETA: 2010
4. Jon Niese - LHP
Niese blossomed in 2008, pitching extremely well in AA and maintaining his success in a brief, 7-game stint in AAA. His performance earned him a late season promotion to the big leagues that included eight innings of shutout baseball against the Atlanta Braves on Sep. 13. He'll likely start 2009 in AAA, but the 21-year-old lefty is high on the team's depth charts.
ETA: 2008
5. Jefry Marte - 3B
Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $550,000, Marte put on an impressive showing with the Gulf Coast Mets. The 17-year-old displayed matured on-base skills and a stroke that generated power both to the gaps and over the wall. His bat, along with his glove and decent speed makes him a potential 5-tool player.
ETA: 2011
6. Reese Havens - SS
Although a shortstop in college, it was believed that the Mets drafted the 21-year-old USC product with the intentions of converting him into a high skill set catcher; however, Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo used first round draft pick primarily as a DH, allowing Havens only two appearances in the field --both at shortstop. He has a quick swing, solid pitch recognition and veteran poise in the batter's box, although his defense could be a deterring factor towards his value.
ETA: 2011
7. Josh Thole - C/1B
Typically regarded as a defensive-minded catcher, Thole improved significantly as a hitter in 2008. His mature plate approach, especially considering that he is only 21, produced more walks (45) than strikeouts (38) for the second straight season, and he developed a power-stroke that produced an extra base hit in nearly 10 percent of his at bats. His disciplined batting style, developing power and defensive skills make him the Mets' best catching prospect since Jesus Flores.
ETA: 2012
8. Dylan Owen - RHP
Only two seasons into his professional career, Owen is one of the best kept secrets in the Mets' organization. He is a strikeout pitcher that keeps the ball in the park and maintains a respectable walk rate. He has been babied a bit by the Mets, but the 21-year-old was promoted to AA Binghamton to conclude the 2008 campaign, effectively putting him on the Mets' depth charts for 2009.
ETA: 2011
9. Michael Antonini - LHP
Another well-kept secret in the Mets' minor league system is left-handed pitcher Michael Antonini. The 22-year-old has pitched about 200 minor league innings and has an impressive 1.08 career WHIP and a professional earned run average of less than three (2.62). He has yet to allow more hits than innings pitched at any level, including stops with five affiliates over the course of his two year professional career.
ETA: 2012
10. Nick Evans
The "stick" made his major league debut in 2008 with a three-double performance in Colorado. He only received 109 at bats in the majors, leaving him eligible for both rookie and prospect status in 2009. His power display for Binghamton was phenomenal and his defense at first base continued to improve. With the Mets, Evans was thrown into the left field mix, and displayed the ability to at least survive. His versatility, he was drafted as a third baseman, opposite field approach, and ability to drive the ball will make him, at the very least, a valuable bench commodity.
ETA: 2008
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