That said, your reasoning behind #2 is flawed. There is absolutely no difference in terms of frequency of play among the levels. Single A Savannah has currently played 65 games, compared to 63 for AAA Buffalo. Even the big league club has only played 64 games (despite starting their season 3 days before the Sand Gnats). Additionally, 17-year-old Savannah third baseman Jefry Marte has 274 plate appearances this year, compared to Met third baseman David Wright’s 271. Games are played almost every day at almost every level of ball. Once the short season leagues start up, those guys play almost every day, too (for example, the 13th is the only day in July the Brooklyn Cyclones do not have a game scheduled).

Rushing Wilmer Flores, Francisco Pena, Ruben Tejeda, and F-Mart for two years, did nothing to enhance their skils. I argue it’s couner-productive for a number of reasons:

1) A prospect can easily be overwhelmed by being rushed. If he struggles, he could lose confidence which could have a long-term effect on his development.

2) Playing a 19 year-old in a higher-level league could lead to injuries. The higher the level in the minors the more games are played back-to-back. Some young players’ bodies are not developed enough for the rigors of such a schedule. I was always of the belief that this was one of the reasons why F-Mart kept breaking down in AA.

3) If a player struggles, his trade value is diminished which means you can’t flip them for major league help.

I think the Mets need to re-evaluate two things in their organization after this season: (1) one is player development and (2) is their medical and training staff.

Chris Schwinden will make the start.

the teens on the IF, Flores, Marte, and Stefan Welch all start the day game after a night game. Flores and Marte have played nearly everyday, remarkable and maybe somewhat unwise…

live box here: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_17_savafx_romafx_1

They did let Pena repeat the SAL at a similar age. And with Coronado, Tejada, and Havens i cant see how he is rushed next year. If anything, someone like Valdespin should be pushed to match his age.

Marte would be the more interesting call with the lack of real prospects on the 3B depth chart, but the way he hasn’t hit I can’t see them putting him in the FSL to start next year. I wonder if Coronado as the AA 3B is an option…

With the lack of a high number of college draft picks this year the St. Lucie 2010 roster could be weak, which could lead to some rushing or (re)signing of some A ball retreads. Just on the position player side of things that is.