Bats/Throws: L/L

Height/Weight: 6’3”/225

Acquired: 4^th Rd 2008 (Stanford)

Born: 2/24/87

2010 Rank: NR

Why Ranked Here: Ratliff hit 21 home runs in 2010.  Only two Mets’ minor leaguers, Lucas Duda and Nick Evans, hit more.  Met officials marveled to me about Ratliff’s strength and power.  Ratliff added 35 doubles and .317 batting average at double-A in half a season in 2010.  Between advanced-A and double-A, he played 42 games in left field and 85 in center.  The consensus among scouts and Mets people is that his future is on the corner because he doesn’t have the raw speed for center (10 total stolen bases in 2010).  He does have the arm strength for right.

2010: Ratliff was promoted to AA right around the All-Star Break and became one of many young Mets hitters to experience a jump in power under the tutelage of Tim Teufel.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Ratliff hits for power, hits lefties and righties, and has the speed to be a plus defender on the corner. I’ll gladly slot him into my outfield as a solid regular.

Debbie Downer Says: The strikeout rate above 23% in AA and walk rate below 8% will keep him from playing everyday for a playoff caliber team.   Oh, and his BABIP in Binghamton was .372. Oh, and he’ll be 24 to begin 2011.

Projected 2010 Start: AA.  It’s tough to send a guy who hit 16 bombs in half a season of work back to AA, but the AAA outfield looks set with Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Fernando Martinez, Lucas Duda starting the bulk of the games with Valentino Pascucci, Jesus Feliciano and Jason Pridie around for depth.  However, expect Ratliff to spend plenty of time in a Bisons’ uniform in 2011, once injuries hit and transaction season begins.

MLB Arrival: 2012