By Adam Rubin
December 19, 2008

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2009.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Fernando Martinez, of 2. Wilmer Flores, ss 3. Jonathon Niese, lhp 4. Brad Holt, rhp 5. Bobby Parnell, rhp 6. Jefry Marte, 3b 7. Jenrry Mejia, rhp 8. Reese Havens, ss 9. Nick Evans, 1b/of 10. Eddie Kunz, rhp

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Wilmer Flores Best Power Hitter Fernando Martinez Best Strike-Zone Discipline Reese Havens Fastest Baserunner Javier Rodriguez Best Athlete Greg Veloz Best Fastball Brad Holt Best Curveball Jon Niese Best Slider Brant Rustich Best Changeup Dillon Gee Best Control Dillon Gee Best Defensive Catcher Mike Nickeas Best Defensive Infielder Ruben Tejada Best Infield Arm Shawn Bowman Best Defensive Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis Best Outfield Arm Ambiorix Concepcion

PROJECTED 2012 LINEUP

Catcher Francisco Pena First Base Daniel Murphy Second Base Reese Havens Third Base David Wright Shortstop Jose Reyes Left Field Fernando Martinez Center Field Carlos Beltran Right Field Wilmer Flores No. 1 Starter Johan Santana No. 2 Starter Mike Pelfrey No. 3 Starter Jon Niese No. 4 Starter Brad Holt No. 5 Starter John Maine Closer Francisco Rodriguez

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Alex Escobar, of Nationals 2000 Alex Escobar, of Nationals 2001 Alex Escobar, of Nationals 2002 Aaron Heilman, rhp Mets 2003 Jose Reyes, ss Mets 2004 Kazuo Matsui, ss Astros 2005 Lastings Milledge, of Nationals 2006 Lastings Milledge, of Nationals 2007 Mike Pelfrey, rhp Mets 2008 Fernando Martinez, of Mets

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Neal Musser, rhp (2nd round) Royals 2000 Billy Traber, lhp Yankees 2001 Aaron Heilman, rhp Mets 2002 Scott Kazmir, lhp Rays 2003 Lastings Milledge, of Nationals 2004 Philip Humber, rhp Twins 2005 Mike Pelfrey, rhp Mets 2006 Kevin Mulvery, rhp (2nd round) Twins 2007 Eddie Kunz, rhp (1st supp) Mets 2008 Ike Davis, 1b Mets

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Mike Pelfrey, 2005 $3,550,000 Philip Humber, 2004 $3,000,000 Scott Kazmir, 2002 $2,150,000 Lastings Milledge, 2003 $2,075,000 Geoff Goetz, 1997 $1,700,000

METS LINKS

Mets' Team Page Mets Top 10 Scouting Reports  Last Year's Mets Top 10 Prospects 2008 Draft: Mets (Basic Database) 2008 Draft: Mets  (Advanced Database) 2008 Draft Report Cards: New York Mets  Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2009 Prospect Handbook

When Mets general manager Omar Minaya signed Pedro Martinez after the 2004 season, he justified the four-year, $53 million deal in part by suggesting Latin American teenagers would flock to sign with New York as a result.

An increased profile resulting from the Martinez signing, coupled with the opening of a state-of-the-art academy in the Dominican Republic, have been the cornerstones of the Mets' plans to retool their farm system.

New York believes it's starting to see dividends from its efforts in Latin America. Dominican outfielder Fernando Martinez and Venezuelan shortstop Wilmer Flores rank as the Nos. 1 and 2 prospects in the organization. Two more Dominicans, third baseman Jefry Marte and righthander Jenrry Mejia, also cracked this Top 10 list, and Dominican righty Maikel Cleto would have joined them if he hadn't been included in a trade for J.J. Putz.

The Mets also included Venezuelan righty Deolis Guerra in the deal that brought Johan Santana to New York. While they'd make that move again and again, it further depleted a system that was already thin at the upper levels. When injuries created a need for an outfielder in July, they had to promote third catcher Robinson Cancel because their Triple-A New Orleans affiliate was barren.

For the second straight year, the Mets collapsed in September and handed the National League East title to the Phillies. This time, New York lost 10 of its final 17 games and were once again eliminated with a loss to the also-ran Marlins on the final day of the season.

One of the bright spots down the stretch was the procession of several young players from the minors to Shea Stadium. Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans, both natural infielders who started 2008 in Double-A, ultimately platooned in left field for the Mets. Lefthander Jonathon Niese made three September starts at age 21. Eddie Kunz, a sandwich pick just a year earlier, and Bobby Parnell contributed out of the bullpen.

Though the Mets have been as conservative in the draft as they have been aggressive on the international market, they did have a bonanza last June. After forfeiting their 2006 and 2007 first-round picks as compensation for free agents Billy Wagner and Moises Alou, New York had three of the first 33 picks in 2008—the product of free agent Tom Glavine signing with the Braves.

Interestingly, the third of those three choices made the biggest impression. Righthander Brad Holt has the best fastball in the system and has jumped on the fast track to the majors. The Mets expect fiirst baseman Ike Davis and shortstop Reese Havens to fare better in 2009 after uninspiring pro debuts.

Because many of the top players in system are still teenagers, there won't be many new faces making their debuts when New York unveils Citi Field this season. The lone player not already exposed to the majors who may have an impact is Martinez.

Murphy has made a good case for a regular job, which ideally would be at second base but more realistically would be in left, and Parnell has a shot at a bullpen role. Otherwise, the Mets will be a mostly veteran team, and they turned to proven commodities ($37 million free agent Francisco Rodriguez and Putz) to upgrade their relief corps during the offseason.

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