New York Mets: 5 Best Power Hitting Prospects

When Ike Davis got to the major leagues, it was quite clear that he was going to hit for a good amount of power. He has a big-time bat with a major league power stroke.

An obvious 30-plus home run potential bat like Davis's is currently something the Mets don't posses, as far as prospects go. However, there are some prospects that, with adequate seasoning, can develop into power hitters at the major league level.

The long ball is something that has escaped the Mets over the past few seasons. Davis looked like he was well on his well to a 30-home run season last year before getting injured, and David Wright has been hampered by injuries over the past few seasons.

All signs point to the Mets being able to use a few more power bats on the team, so let's look at some minor league prospects who might be able to fill that role. 

5. Cesar Puello

Cesar Puello is currently ranked as the Mets' No. 2 hitting prospect, behind Brandon Nimmo. Signed in July of 2007, Puello is still just 20 years of age.

Puello was projected to be a good power bat when he signed, but never really showed much of it until last season when he hit 10 home runs in 441 ABs. This might not seem like much, but it's not like he was ever projected to hit 30-plus home runs.

Puello definitely improved last season, but something he needs to continue to improve upon is his pitch recognition. If he can improve his ability to see and recognize pitches, the power will continue to come along. Puello projects to be a future right fielder, but I see him more as a left fielder, seeing as how Lucas Duda seems to be settling in nicely to right.

If Puello can continue to develop, 15- to 20-homer seasons in the major leagues could be in his future.

4. Jordany Valdespin

The oldest player on this list, Valdespin is currently 24 years old. He had a pretty impressive season last year and is following it with a very good spring training with the Mets.

Last year, in 511 ABs across two levels of minor league ball, Valdespin hit 17 home runs. This is pretty much where you can expect him to stay at. He definitely has some pop, but he's more of a speed guy in the middle infield.

The Mets might be trying to find a way to get him into the lineup any way possible, seeing as how he played center field in yesterday's game against the Braves. This might have been a trial run if Andres Torres isn't ready for the season opener.

At 6'0", 190 lbs, Valdespin has a good frame, and that's basically where he should stay. It's a good middle infielder's body and should produce decent power numbers. For people that also attribute doubles toward power numbers, Valdespin should get plenty of those in the majors. Combined with his above-average speed, he also has very good gap power.

My prediction is that we will definitely see Valdespin in the majors at some point this year, the only thing to be decided is where exactly he'll play.

3. Wilmer Flores

Wilmer Flores has been in the Mets farm system for almost four years now. Because he was signed at such a young age, there were a lot of eyes on Flores at all times. People seem to be forgetting about him a little bit now, but I'm not sure why.

It might be because of the fact that Flores was signed at such a young age that people are forgetting that he's still just 20 years old. Although he didn't hit for a lot of power last year, just nine home runs in a little over 500 ABs, Flores has the type of frame that you could see develop into a major league home run hitter.

While Flores stands at an impressive 6'3", he weighs just 190 lbs. The Mets have never really tried to put much weight on him because he played shortstop up until this year. However, the Mets are now trying to convert him to third base. Because of this, it is almost guaranteed that the Mets will try to tack 10 to 15 lbs of muscle onto Flores' large frame.

Flores has a smooth swing that, with some added muscle, could end up producing more home runs. Ranking No. 3 on this list partially has to do with his power hitting potential, and partially has to do with the fact that the Mets don't exactly have a plethora of power hitting prospects.

2. Cory Vaughn

Cory Vaughn, the son of former major league slugger Greg Vaughn, is another guy that could project to have some good power. Although his average struggled at Port St. Lucie last season, hitting just .219, he did hit nine home runs in just 210 ABs.

At 6'3", 225 lbs, Vaughn has the ideal frame for a major league power hitter. He is also still just in his age 23 season, so he does have some time to develop. It seemed as though last year he tried to focus a little too much on power and sacrificed some average to do so. If he can learn how to hit for power while not necessarily trying for it, that will help him to also maintain a higher batting average.

There are definitely a few things that Vaughn has to sort out before he has a chance at the major league level, but if and when he gets to New York, there should be the opportunity for some power out of his bat.

1. Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo, who actually turned 19 just yesterday, has the type of frame that could easily be turned into a power hitter's. At 6'3" and 185 lbs, Nimmo should easily be able to tack on another 15 to 20 lbs of muscle under a major league team's training regimen.

Nimmo's talent is raw, but everything he has done so far has impressed the major league scouts. He has a sweet swing from the left side of the plate, and with some added muscle should be able to develop a sweet power stroke.

While Nimmo will most likely never be a 30-plus home run guy like Davis will be, 20 to 25 home runs on a yearly basis shouldn't be out of the question at all.