Fernando Martinez, 19, CF
Considered by far the Mets’ best prospect, scouts drool over Martinez’s hitting ability. Although he started this year off slow for Binghamton, he is coming around—he has a four-game hitting streak going. During those four days, Martinez has had three multi-hit games, including a two-homer game on May 8 against the Reading Phillies. Right now, Martinez has a .278 average, but only a .311 on-base percentage. He has gotten his slugging percentage up to a respectable .411, but he has to keep improving his numbers in order to be a candidate to get called up to Triple-A New Orleans sometime in the summer. The 19-year-old may have struggled due to the cold weather in Binghamton early on, but since this is his second go-around in the Eastern League, we should see more of what we have seen this past week out of him.
Nick Evans, 22, 1B
Evans is coming off of a 15-homer campaign in the Florida State League for the St. Lucie Mets, and he just keeps on hitting. Through 35 games for the B-Mets, Evans has smashed seven homers and has driven in 26 RBI. He is just an extra-base machine, adding seven doubles and 4 triples, as well. He has a team high .930 OPS. The main concern about Evans is the same concern the Mets have about Martinez: health. Evans performed well in St. Lucie last season, but missed about a month due to an ankle injury. Evans and fellow prospect Mike Carp have shared time at first base and DH. They each have played a little outfield, as well. Evans, who also has experience at third base, can also play the other corner infield spot if necessary.
Mike Carp, 22, 1B
Carp has rebounded well after having an off-year for Binghamton in 2007. The 22-year-old has certainly impressed the Mets with his .328 average and his six homers so far this year, especially after Carp wasn’t welcomed to the big league camp in spring training after showing up out of shape. This came as a bit of a surprise for Mets fans since Carp has been one of the organization’s better hitters for the past couple of seasons, and it is rare for a C+ or B-type prospect after playing in AA the season before to be stuck in minor league camp during spring. However, it seems that Carp has gotten his act together and if he keeps this up he will surely be back in the Mets’ good graces, and very possibly will get promoted to New Orleans in late June or July.
Daniel Murphy, 23, 3B
The Mets’ 2006 13th round pick out of Jacksonville University has proven that he has one of the best bats in the system. Murphy is off to a hot start, hitting .329 and sporting a .850 OPS. Murphy has a good enough bat to eventually make it to the major leagues, but it is his glove that could hold him back. After 36 games, Murphy already has seven errors. Although he may not find a spot as an everyday player in the big leagues, especially with David Wright at third base for the Mets, there is a good chance Murphy can find his way into the show as a pinch-hitter or part-time DH somewhere down the line.
For more information on Nick Evans, read Nick Evans Makes Debut For Mets.
Peter Spiewak - -
