Youth Movement in Mets Camp

Written by Matt Ryan | 08 March 2010

It's only been one week, but the Mets "big three" prospects are creating quite a buzz.     

Ike Davis has been the team's best hitter so far, batting .571 with 3 doubles and a monster grand slam.  If Davis continues to tear it up, he could give Daniel Murphy a run for his money.  Of course, there are some concerns about his defense, and at times he has appeared visibly nervous.  Davis will eventually come back to Earth, and I think its best for everybody if he starts the year in AAA.   

How about Fernando Martinez?  A lot of people are down on the kid, and that's because he's been overhyped and overmatched for almost four years.  But people forget that he is just 21 years old and still a tremendous prospect.  Martinez flashed that potential on Saturday, going 4-4 with 2 solo homeruns.  At this point the job is Angel Pagan's to lose.  But if he struggles, I don't think the Mets would hesitate to give F-Mart the job until Beltran is healthy.  Like Davis, he is probably better off in AAA, but if he is truly ready there is no reason to hold him back.

But by far the most impressive been Jenrry Mejia.  Before games even started, Mejia was the talk of the camp, drawing comparisons to Mariano Rivera.  Even as a Mets fan, I think that's sacrilegious.  But there's no doubt that this kid has a special arm.  When he finally took the mound on Friday he lived up to hype.  Mejia was electric in 2 1/3 perfect innings, striking out 4 and touching 97 mph on the gun.  Even though he is just 20 years old, he is garnering strong consideration to make the opening day roster.  I still think if you have a guy with ace potential you don't move him to the bullpen.  But who knows, with K-Rod's health in question, Mejia could make a push to close some games for the Mets in 2010.  He's that good. 

It's been a hell of a week if you like Mets prospects.  And let me stress this, the statistics mean nothing.  It's just spring training.  But its good to see these guys flashing their potential and competing for opening day jobs at such a young age.  I think that when all is said and done, all three will start the year in the minors.  But by the end of the year I expect each one of them to contribute.