Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 187 lbs
Acquired: NDFA (7/2/07)
Born: 6/21/91 (La Romana, DR)
Why Ranked Here: The well built Marte has the potential to be a middle of the order run producer at third base in baseball’s version of the distant future. The fact that the Mets are well stocked at third does not matter to Marte’s value at this point. Marte showed bat speed, strength and pull-side power while leading the Gulf Coast League in OPS as a 17-year old in 2008. Marte has the arm for third, but as he matures, it is possible that he will lose the first-step quickness that the position demands. However, he will continue to play third for the foreseeable future in the hope that he develops at the position where he has the most value.
2008: Marte had a very successful 2008. He hit just .250/.357/.375 in 24 AB against lefties, while maiming righties at a .338/.405/.562 clip. Young hitters often just don’t see quality LHP when they are growing up. Marte drew one walk in his first 35 AB, and then 12 in his next 119, a strong rate for such a young player.
Dr. Pangloss Says: Marte, who has shown power, patience and contact ability at a very young age, has a chance to be an above average regular at third base who derives most of his value from his bat.
On the Flipside: Marte is years away from the big leagues.
Projected 2009 Start: Savannah, based on the Mets history of aggressive assignments for their most talented players.
| G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCL | 44 | 154 | 50 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 30 | 2 | 0 | .325 | .398 | .532 |
I’m excited about Marte, but what surprises me most about this post is that he is behind Pena. (Mrmustseetv — that is for you…)
Don’t get me started on Francisco Pena. There’s not way he should be in the Top 15, let alone the Top 7.
1) He’s out of shape and not baby fat…..the kid can’t stay away from a buffet and needs to take his conditioning more seriously.
2) While he did show more extra base power, he still lacks much at the plate. Strike zone judgment, walks, using the whole field. He just hasn’t shown enough with the bat to warrant being this high.
3) His defense was suppose to be his calling card, but reports were that his footwork and arm, while solid, were not developing as the Mets had hoped.
I’m not saying that Pena may not eventually develop into a starting catcher, but he’s far, far away and has shown little up to this point.
I know that when doing these lists you sometimes value long-term potential over current stats and I’m a believer in that ideology of prospect ranking, but Pena has shown little on both sides of the ideology – numbers are so-so and talent has not developed as expected.
I’m surprised by this one – it’s a headscratcher, but it’s Toby’s list and he has his reasonings. This is really the only one I have really opposed.
Now, DSF, like KLAW would say – $5 for baiting me.
As I said in my comment on the Pena ranking, defense, conditioning, and plate discipline need to develop — I wouldn’t have him ahead of Marte myself (and agree with your post down below about Marte — very exciting, although at least 3 years off, even with his ability to adjust. That being said, I am not terribly bothered by him being ahead of Moivel, Gee, Parnell, Kunz, etc. Surprised, but not terribly bothered
DSF, like Keith Law would say -
$5 for baiting me
He is a nice looking player. Even better is that, at a young age, he has actually production to show, not just tools/potential.
This could be an interesting year. If he starts out smoking the ball, and of course (a nod to F Mart) stays healthy, he could move up fast.
Even if did a “normal” progression of A this year, into AA in 2010, and AAA in 2011, that would still put him knocking on the door of CF at the age of 20.
so even if you double dip at each level, still only 23.
I’m starting to think that Pena might not be included at all, as 8th or higher seems absurd for a player that has really yet to produce anything at any level, though he has been aggressively pushed.
i think pena has made the list. I agree that would be high for Pena, but with Doyle up there I feel Pena has to be on it. Now Pena better start hitting at a higher level and the amount of Pass Balls is still something to keep an eye on, but that could also be from wild pitchers as well.
Assuming Martinez, Flores, Niese, Holt, Havens and Evans made the list, that leaves one spot. I can’t think of anyone besides Pena for that spot.
Parnell… Evans doesn’t qualify, neither does Murphy
Nevermind, I’m an idiot (or at least forgetful and lazy). Parnell is ranked #11 and, despite sometimes pitching like he has Dissociative Identity Disorder, is in fact one person and therefore can’t occupy two spots.
I’m still not sure that Nick Evans qualifies, though. Despite not reaching 130 AB, I believe he was on the active roster for more than 45 days (it certainly felt like it), which would mean he officially used up his rookie status in 2009.
But maybe Toby is going strictly by the 130 AB/50 IP criterion in assembling this list, in which case I would like to amend my previous post to read “I agree with you, dsgtrane”.
officially used up his status in 2008, not 2009
My kingdom for an Edit Comment button!
Agree on that edit comment button!
unless you add Murphy to the list as well —
There alot of guys not on the list that I think could become a nice player down the line.
Actually Toby said at the beginning that Murphy and Evans would not be on his list. So that leaves Martinez, Flores, Holt, Niese, Mejia, Havens, and Pena for the last seven spots.
that would be correct (I’m assuming) — no one else makes sense — and Toby said in the comments earlier (a few days ago) Pena made his top ten
Oops, I missed Mejia and didn’t see that about Evans. Martinez, Flores, Holt, Niese, Mejia, Havens, and Pena looks right.
MRMUSTSEETV WE NEED YOU TO WEIGH IN!!!!
While the Mets haven’t been spending like crazy in the draft like most fans want, it is nice to see that they have made some good pickups on the international level with Flores, Marte, and Martinez.
Okay, now we’re hitting the home stretch.
I’m excited to see Marte’s evolution as a prospect over the next few season. A few things:
1. He’s years away from the majors. I would say, at least, 3 from getting a cup of coffee, so no debates on whether Wright will need too move to first or whatnot. By the way, the only way Wright ever moves from third is if he wants to and there’s a gold glover with just a good a bat to take his place. You simply don’t move your franchise player. Plus, Wright is an above-average third basemen.
2. While he’s young Marte has shown power and an ability to make adjustments. I particularly liked how he improved his walk total, which is a very good sign for a young player.
3. From what I’ve read, he has decent range and a okay hands, which (if he develops as a hitter) could make him viable at first.
I haven’t had a chance to see Marte live, but I’m hoping I’ll get to see him in Savannah (as I’m hoping to make it down and maybe catch a few games in the summer). I’ll let you know what I see in person.
As for the apparent inclusion of Francisco Pena in the Top 7 – this is the only thing I’ve really had a strong issue with. I didn’t have Pena in my Top 15 let alone Top 7. Personally, I just don’t think he’s merited this high of a ranking, but I’m just basing that on his stats and the reports I’ve read on the various publications and websites. I know Toby has seen him live, so maybe he’s seeing something we aren’t, though Adam Rubin who did the BA listing didn’t have him rated this high.
The thing with Pena is that while he showed more extra base power this year his bat wasn’t all that special. Also, his defense was supposed to be his calling card and from some of the reports that were coming out during the season there was talk that his defense wasn’t progessing as the Mets had hoped.
The other indictment on Pena is that he’s fat. Not sure what he looks like in person, but the pictures show a kid that pulls his chair to the buffet table. That’s not baby fat as the Mets often explained it – that is fat. The kid needs to get himself into better shape. If he does so, then maybe it’ll improve his game.
I guess he’ll be promoted to St. Lucie, so I probably won’t get to see him live, unless for some reason he sees some action in Brooklyn later on in the year.
I’m curious to hear Toby’s rationalization on Pena’s ranking, when he unveils his spot in the list.
Regardless, like I’ve said before, that’s what makes these rankings such a cool thing because it will always spark debate. You have those that value stats over potential and vice versa. I tend to lean towards long-term potential, but even then Pena hasn’t shown enough, but Toby’s actually seen him play so there has got to be something there.