By Andrew Linker
September 26, 2002

1. Jose Reyes, ss, Binghamton Mets
Reyes started impressing Mets officials in spring training, four months before getting promoted from high Class A St. Lucie to Binghamton. He ranked second to Mark Teixeira on the Florida State League Top 20 list, and earned top honors in the EL. He also was named MVP of the midseason Futures Game.

"He has five outstanding tools," a National League scout said. "He's so young, so prideful. He's still raw at the plate and in the field, but there doesn't appear anything he can't do and do well. He should be one of the best players in the game in a couple of seasons."

Reyes can hit for average and has some pop, has the speed to steal bases and is a stellar defender. He improved his plate discipline in 2002, though he'll have to continue to do so after regressing in Double-A.

"He has above-average tools across the board, and he uses them well," an American League scout said. "There is some concern about the youthful mistakes now becoming habits later. The one thing he must do is learn the strike zone better or he'll get carved up at higher levels."