Bold Predictions for the Top 10 New York Mets Prospects

Dark times have become the norm for the New York Mets, both on the field and in the front office.  Facing a playoff drought and losing $70 million last season, Mets fans are seeking solutions to winning that may not be tangible in the near future.

However, although the Mets may still be a few seasons away from a franchise that can make noise in the postseason, their farm is looking as strong as ever.  After seeing the likes of David Wright, Jose Reyes and Ike Davis rise through their lower levels, there is definitely hope that a new generation of All-Stars is waiting to be created.

While some will impact the Mets right away and others may require a few more years in the minors to hone their skills, these 10 players, barring injury, will definitely bring excitement to the blue and orange in the coming years.

10. Fernando Martinez

Although only 23 years old, many scouts and fans seem to believe that Fernando Martinez has already lost his hold on the name "prospect" because of his injury history.  While the concerns over injury are warranted, as are the question marks revolving around his struggles in his brief Major League stints (he's a .183 hitter in 47 games played), Martinez's big league dreams are not yet over.

The outfielder, when healthy, is a near five-tool player who could improve the Mets both offensively and defensively.  With injury-prone veterans like Jason Bay and Andres Torres patrolling the outfield, there is definitely a need for a fourth outfielder who could play all three positions.

Bold Prediction

Fernando spends all 162 games in the Majors without being placed on the DL once.  He will be the primary fourth outfielder/pinch hitter and bat upwards of .275.

9. Darin Gorski

Darin Gorski, the 23-year-old left-handed pitcher, is often overlooked because of his inability to throw the ball 92-96 miles per hour.  As a southpaw that lives around 90, he definitely has great potential to reach the bigs, he just does not attract the eyes of many scouts in the process.

Looking at his 2011 statistics, it's hard not to be impressed. He finished the season 11-3 with a 2.08 ERA and averaged over one strikeout per inning pitched.  He can control all his pitches and has the mind to pitch in the big leagues.

Bold prediction  

Gorski is called up for a spot-start at some point in the season and sticks there the rest of the season.  He has the potential to be similar to Jon Niese, and with the Mets pitching woes, it's hard not to believe Gorski won't find an opportunity.

8. Wilmer Flores

Flores is a relative mystery to the Mets. Barely 20 years old, he has shown glimpses of greatness but has not put up particularly overwhelming numbers for an entire season.  After a campaign in which he hit .269, he will definitely need to improve his bat to reach the Majors.

Another question mark for Flores is what position he will play.  He does not have overwhelming speed or power, so it is hard to decide whether he should be an outfielder or play his natural shortstop.

Bold prediction

Before the end of 2012, Flores is no longer a shortstop.  He will likely move to third base so there is Minor League depth in case anything happens to David Wright.  Either way, it is a near definite bet that Flores will not play in the MLB next season.

7. Cesar Puello

Puello, the 20-year-old outfielder, spent the majority of last season in High-A.  He hit a lowly .259 last year but cracked double-digit home runs for the first time.  At such a young age, it is likely that his power will improve, but he still needs to work on reaching base and playing defense more.

Bold prediction

Flores will hit 15 home runs in the minor leagues at various levels this year.  He will also see his on-base percentage rise from .313 to .335.  He is a young kid and has a lot to learn, but this should be his growing year.  If successful, he will put himself in a good position to be a Met in two or three years.

6. Reese Havens

Like Fernando Martinez, Reese Havens has a high ceiling but sees his window closing because of injury history.  Last year, Havens appeared in 61 games and hit .288 with 6 home runs, but he missed too many games.

His numbers are impressive and he plays second base, a position that the Mets have been unable to lock down over the past few seasons, so his chance will come if he can stay on the field.

Bold prediction

By the end of the 2012 season, Reese Havens will be the starting second baseman for the New York Mets.  Justin Turner is a major question mark, and Daniel Murphy is versatile enough to play another position, making it possible to fit Havens on the roster.

5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis

You probably can't spell his name, but you're going to see a lot of it over the next few seasons with the Mets.  Along with current Met Lucas Duda and last year's first round draft pick Brandon Nimmo, Nieuwenhuis could be a starting outfielder of the future.

After gaining Major League experience last season during spring training, Nieuwenhuis saw limited action in the minors due to injury but when healthy, hit an impressive .298.

Bold prediction

Niewenhuis will be a September call-up and .300+ hitter in the minors this season.  He will be healthy enough to play 120 games, and launch 20 home runs for the first time in his career.  His bigger Mets impact will come in two years when Jason Bay's contract expires.

4.Jenrry Mejia

Mejia has already cracked the Mets roster, but they could not determine what role they wanted him in.  After sending him to the minors last year though, he suffered a torn ligament in his throwing arm and had to get season-ending Tommy John surgery.

His stuff was electric, with a fastball that could reach the upper 90s and a breaking ball that could buckle the knees of even the most elite Major League hitters.  Now it's a waiting game to see how healthy he is this season.

Bold prediction

After making multiple moves to bolster their bullpen this year, Mejia won't be seen in a Mets uniform unless it's as a September call-up.  He will dominate the minors in the bullpen, but the Mets will let him recover from his injury and gain more experience before throwing the 22-year-old in the fire again.

3. Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo, only 18 years old, was the Mets' first-round draft pick last season.  The outfielder from Wyoming played 10 games in rookie ball after signing his contract but hit only a meager .211.

This is not to say that Brandon Nimmo is a .200 hitter.  Last year was an incredibly small sample size, and he is still adjusting to the speed of playing in the minors rather than with high school kids.  He also hit two home runs in limited action, which is a good sign that he will be able to drive the ball over his career.

Bold prediction

Nimmo won't play any higher than AA this season. He's still a teenager and is not nearly prepared for the MLB.  Although truly talented, Nimmo won't be making the Mets for another three or four years, but he will hit .285 with 15 home runs in the minors this season.

2. Matt Harvey

Matt Harvey, the UNC product, has been completely deserving of all the hype he's been receiving from the Mets faithful. He's had a winning record every year and every place he's been in the minors, including an impressive 8-2 record with a 2.37 ERA in High-A last season.

Depending on what he does this year in spring training, Harvey has legitimate potential to make noise in the MLB this year with his big league body and rocket of an arm.

Bold prediction

Harvey will start the year in the minors, dominate, then be called up before June.  After his call-up, he will go on to win at least eight games for the Mets this season.

1. Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler was the centerpiece of the Mets package they received from San Francisco following the Carlos Beltran deal last season.  The 21-year-old right-hander seems worth the exchange so far, as his fastball and curveball are both the best the Mets farm system has to offer.

He is still young and pretty inexperienced, though, so it may take him a little more time in the minors to sharpen his skills and mind before reaching the Majors.

Bold prediction

The fans want to see Wheeler as soon as possible, but the Mets will think better of sending him to the big club right away.  He will begin the season in either AA or AAA, learn more about hitters' tendencies and how to pitch and eventually be a September call-up to excite the fans. 

However, he might surprise you in September.  In an attempt to limit his innings and save his arm, the Mets may have him come out of the bullpen when he's put on the 40-man roster.  That's not to say he'll be a reliever for his career, it will just be a nice way for him to come in, get experience and prepare himself for a permanent stay in the MLB in the years to come.