Life On The Farm: New York Mets (# 17)

Lost season in the bigs, how about in the minors?

Graduated To Majors: Fernando Martinez (OF, # 1), Nick Evans (1B, # 9), Josh Thole (C, # 23), Tobi Stoner (SP, # 19), Bobby Parnell (Swing, # 5), Darren O'Day (RP, # 27, now with Rangers), Jon Niese (SP, # 3)

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

2 - Wilmer Flores: SS
Lo A: .264-.305-.332, 488, 3-36, 22-72, 3-3
Quick Take: Not bad when you consider his age (just 18 in August), but was it too aggressive?

4 - Brad Holt: RHP
Hi A: 9-9, 4-1, 3.12, 43.1-34-5-13-54
AA: 11-11, 3-6, 6.21, 58-58-9-23-45
Quick Take: Had a good half-season and hopefully learned from his 1st AA experience.

6 - Jefry Marte: 3B
Lo A: .233-.279-.338, 485, 6-41, 25-117, 5-5
Quick Take: Another 18 (this one in June) year old who may have been pushed too quickly.

7 - Jenrry Mejia: RHP
Hi A: 9-9, 4-1, 1.97, 50.1-41-0-16-44
AA: 10-10, 0-5, 4.47, 44.1-44-2-23-47
Quick Take: Maintained a strong K rate and pitched in AA and will be 20 in 3 days.

8 - Reese Havens: SS
Hi A: .247-.361-.422, 360, 14-52, 55-73, 3-2
Quick Take: Rough season for the former 1st round pick.

10 - Eddie Kunz: RHP
AAA: 40-0, 4-5, 5.02, 61-54-8-31-38
Quick Take: K-rate disappeared when he was expected to be a cog in that major league bullpen.

AAA: Buffalo Bisons (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Fernando Martinez (# 1): .290-.337-.540, 176, 8-28, 11-33, 2-1
Disappointing Hitter: Jonathan Malo (UL): .186-.255-.225, 129, 0-3, 12-28, 2-0
Breakout Pitcher: Tobi Stoner (# 19): 16-16, 7-7, 3.96, 97.2-92-9-34-64
Disappointing Pitcher: Lance Broadway (UL): 16-14, 5-7, 6.27, 84.2-101-6-34-41
Quick Take: Martinez made his MLB debut and looked solid until going down with an injury, like every other Met. Stoner looked solid in his debut in the majors. Malo was the toast of spring training and then battled when the season began. Broadway disappointed since coming over from Chicago.

AA: Binghamton Mets (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Josh Thole (# 23): .328-.395-.422, 384, 1-46, 42-34, 8-4
Disappointing Hitter: Emmanuel Garcia (UR): .246-.305-.320, 491, 4-40, 39-113, 19-10
Breakout Pitcher: Tobi Stoner (# 19): 7-7, 2-2, 2.68, 47-28-5-13-28
Disappointing Pitcher: Mike Antonini (# 15): 25-20, 7-5, 5.32, 115-137-9-34-86
Quick Take: Thole accelerated up the organization depth chart and didn't look out of place in his debut. Stoner was about the only AA pitcher to exceed expectations. Garcia showed too raw of a game for a AA player. Antonini struggled in his first exposure to AA.

Hi A: St. Lucie Mets (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Ike Davis (# 11): .288-.376-.486, 222, 7-28, 31-52, 0-2
Disappointing Hitter: Francisco Pena (# 21): .226-.260-.332, 389, 8-44, 15-78, 0-1
Breakout Pitcher: Scott Shaw (# 18): 26-26, 8-8, 3.73, 149.2-140-13-57-118
Disappointing Pitcher: Manny Alvarez (UR): 35-0, 4-3, 5.09, 46-58-4-24-32
Quick Take: Davis, a much maligned 1st rounder, made up for a poor debut with a strong follow-up season. Shaw pitched solid as he prepares for AA. Pena has yet to translate his raw tools into production. Alvarez was the worst, but the St. Lucie Mets had a lot of solid, unspectacular seasons.

Lo A: Savannah Sand Gnats (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Jordany Valdespin (UL): .322-.366-.480, 152, 3-18, 11-32, 7-2
Disappointing Hitter: Jefry Marte (# 6): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Eric Beaulac (UL): 26-19, 7-7, 2.95, 116-110-6-41-133
Disappointing Pitcher: None
Quick Take: Valdespin came out of nowhere to produce a very strong batting line. Beaulac repeated and found a lot of success. Marte may have been pushed too quickly.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Jenrry Mejia: SP
The best of a really young group of prospects
2) Wilmer Flores: SS
Youngster looks to continue to learn how to play.
3) Ike Davis: 1B
1st rounder got back onto his development path.
4) Ruben Tejada: SS
20 year old SS (20 in September) hit .289-.351-.381 at AA.
5) Jefry Marte: 3B
Needs a definite refresher.
6) Cesar Puello: RF
Talented OF likely to make full season debut next year.
7) Zach Lutz: 3B
Returned from injury plagued year to earn a late season promotion to AA.
8) Brad Holt: RHP
Looks to beat AA the 2nd time around.
9) Lucas Duda: 1B
Solid (.281-.380-.428) year at AA, may make leap to AAA.
10) Steven Matz: LHP
Mets top pick (2nd round) set to make debut next season.

Dropped From Top 10: Havens (# 8), Kunz (# 10)

Final Overview: This system is so young and many of the players are pushed aggressively that it is hard to divulge the true talent level. Flores, Marte and Mejia are all advanced prospects that are finding it hard to get some success at different stages. This system is developing and likely has fallen back a little bit into the twenties, but they have some true impact talent coming up.

Life On The Farm: Pittsburgh Pirates (# 18)

Has a system added more prospects in-season in recent memory?

Graduated To Majors: Andrew McCutchen (OF, # 2), Neil Walker (3B, # 6), Luis Cruz (SS, UR), Brian Bixler (2B, # 27), Jason Jaramillo (C, # 28), Robinzon Diaz (C, UR), Daniel McCutchen (SP, # 9), Evan Meek (RP, # 22), Donald Veal (RP, # 26), Dave Davidson (RP, UR, now with Marlins).

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

1 - Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Hi A: .247-.342-.486, 243, 14-55, 37-70, 1-1
AA: .333-.419-.590, 222, 13-40, 34-59, 1-0
Quick Take: The rare prospect that actually played better at a higher level.

3 - Jose Tabata: OF
AA: .303-.370-.404, 228, 2-25, 20-25, 7-6
AAA: .276-.333-.410, 134, 3-10, 10-18, 4-2
Quick Take: He has continued on schedule to a possible major league cup of coffee next season.

4 - Brad Lincoln: RHP
AA: 13-13, 1-5, 2.28, 75-63-4-18-65
AAA: 12-12, 6-2, 4.70, 61.1-72-7-10-42
Quick Take: Solid full season as this former 1st round pick appears to be back at full strength.

5 - Bryan Morris: RHP
Hi A: 15-15, 4-9, 5.57, 72.2-86-2-34-32
Quick Take: Rough season and apparently had attitude problems to boot.

7 - Jeff Sues: RHP
AA: 40-0. 2-6, 4.46, 78.2-66-7-37-74
AAA: 8-0, 0-0, 6.00, 12-13-1-8-12
Quick Take: Power arm may be ready for the show next season.

8 - Shelby Ford: 2B
AA: .233-.325-.350, 103, 2-17, 12-18, 2-0
AAA: .188-.240-.279, 298, 4-27, 14-58, 8-1
Quick Take: Actually started year in AAA and finished in AA in lost season.

10 - Robbie Grossman: OF
Lo A: .264-.371-.353, 451, 5-40, 75-164, 35-12
Quick Take: A lot of tools and a lot of rawness on display.

AAA: Indianapolis Indians (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Garrett Jones (UL): .307-.348-.502, 277, 12-50, 18-47, 14-4
Disappointing Hitter: Shelby Ford (# 8): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Daniel McCutchen (# 9): 24-24, 13-6, 3.47, 142.2-145-10-29-110
Disappointing Pitcher: Jason Davis (UL): 35-7, 0-8, 6.06, 62.1-72-2-36-25
Quick Take: Jones took the Pirates by storm and contended for the ROY. McCutchen threw well enough in Pit to warrant a look, whether as a starter or reliever. Ford ended up back in AA while Davis appears that he will never regain the promise he showed when he was with the Indians.

AA: Altoona Curve (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Pedro Alvarez (# 1): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Jamie Romak (# 11): .175-.243-.303, 211, 5-24, 18-66, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Brad Lincoln (# 4): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Tim Alderson (# 4 in SF): 7-7, 3-1, 4.66, 38.2-39-4-13-18
Quick Take: Alvarez looks primed to be a half season away. Lincoln will battle for a rotation spot in spring training. Romak ended up back in Hi A where he still struggled. Alderson had higher expectation from me, but that K rate is scary.

Hi A: Lynchburg Hillcats (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Chase D'Arnaud (# 17): .295-.402-.481, 4-26, 30-41, 14-5
Disappointing Hitter: Eddie Prasch (UR): .179-.301-.272, 151, 0-19, 22-40, 1-2
Breakout Pitcher: Matt McSwain (UR): 28-25, 11-8, 3.43, 144.1-162-3-23-64
Disappointing Pitcher: Bryan Morris (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: D'Arnaud finished the season here after starting in Low A and showed an advanced offensive game for a SS. McSwain was the best of a subpar crop of pitchers. Prasch just hasn't hit since entering pro ball as a 3rd round pick. Morris had setbacks in every manner you could.

Lo A: West Virginia Power (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Tony Sanchez (UR): .338-.457-.506, 77, 2-20, 11-17, 0-0
Disappointing Hitter: Andrew Walker (UR): .211-.333-.325, 114, 1-13, 20-28, 0-1
Breakout Pitcher: Rudy Owens (UL): 19-19, 10-1, 1.70, 100.2-71-8-15-91
Disappointing Pitcher: Duke Welker (UR): 31-15, 0-11, 5.79, 101-96-7-67-69
Quick Take: Sanchez was a questioned 1st round pick who just hit. Owens came out of nowhere to jump up prospect boards as a lefty. Walker was a repeater who didn't hit and has now been passed on the organization depth chart. Welker is another repeater who actually regressed from last year.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects
1) Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Possibly the minors best hitter, likely to debut some point next season.
2) Jose Tabata: CF
4-tool player may join McCutchen in an extremely fast OF.
3) Rudy Owens: LHP
Time to prove it wasn't a fluke.
4) Brad Lincoln: RHP
Former 1st rounder, finally healthy, looks to make MLB debut next season.
5) Tony Sanchez: C
Much maligned 1st rounder looks like a future starting catcher.
6) Jarek Cunningham: 3B
Converted SS looks to debut in full season ball next season.
7) Starling Marte: OF
Dominican signee hit .312-.377-.439 in full-season debut at West Virginia.
8) Zach Von Rosenberg: RHP
6th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'5" 205) body.
9) Trent Stevenson: RHP
7th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'6", 175) body.
10) Robbie Grossman: CF
Talented CF looks to continue put the tools into production.

Dropped From Top 10: Morris (# 5), Sues (# 7), Ford (# 8)

Final Overview: A system that had been terrible looks to be on the right track. Choosing depth over quality, the Pirates have an enviable amount of projectability pitchers and toolsy OF's. As long as the coaching in the minor leagues improves the talent, they are in good shape to end that streak of losing seasons. A system on the upswing.

NLDS "B" GM 1: STL @ LAD

1) Chris Carpenter: FB, SL, CB, CU. 105 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Curveballs.

• Carpenter came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a cutter with above average cut and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink.

1st: FB (92-96), Cut (89-91), CB (74-76) - 2 CB (Belliard - 2)

2nd: FB (92-95), Cut (87-90), CB (76-77), CU (87) - CB (Kemp)

3rd: FB (93-96), Cut (87-90), CB (74-76) - CB (Belliard)

4th: FB (91-93), Cut (83-88), CB (74)

5th: FB (90-95), Cut (86-89), CB (74-77)

2) Randy Wolf: FB, CB, SL, CU. 82 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Wolf came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with a little late fade from righties that he will throw in 2-0 counts.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (68-70), SL (80-84), CU (79-81)

2nd: FB (88-91), CB (68-70), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (68-70), SL (81), CU (79) - CB (DeRosa)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (82) - FB (Holliday)

3) Jeff Weaver: FB, SL, CB, CU. 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

4th: SL (80-82)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-82) - 2 SL (Carpenter - 2)

4) Ronald Belisario: FB, SL, CU. 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Belisario came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

6th: FB (95-97) - FB (Pujols)

5) Dennys Reyes: FB, SL, CU. 3 pitches.

• Reyes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite and a drop down 11-5 slider with some bite that he likes to throw to lefties with 2 strikes.

6th: SL (80-84) - SL (Ethier)

6) Kyle McClellan: FB, CB, Cut, CU. 17 pitches.

• McClellan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with solid cut.

6th: FB (91-93), CB (76-77), Cut (88-89)

7) Trever Miller: FB, SL, CU. 6 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Miller came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (76-78) - FB (Thome), SL (Thome)

8) Hong-Chih Kuo: FB, SL, CU, CB. 25 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite and a sweeping 11-5 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (94-97), SL (87), CB (80) - 5 FB (Molina, DeRosa, Glaus - 3)

9) Blake Hawsworth: FB, CU, Cut, CB. 18 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball.

• Hawksworth came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and in 2-1 and 3-2 counts.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (83-85) - FB (Furcal), 2 CU (Kemp - 2)

10) George Sherrill: FB, SL, CU. 8 pitches.

• Sherrill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (75)

11) Mitch Boggs: FB, SL, CB, CU. 20 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Boggs came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (94-97), SL (84-86)

12) Jonathan Broxton: FB, SL, CU. 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a straight fastball with a little natural sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (97-99)

9th: FB (97-100), SL (91) - FB (Molina)

NLDS "A" GM 1: COL @ PHI

1) Cliff Lee: FB, Cut, CB, CU, SL. 113 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs, Cutter, Curveball.

• Lee came from an over the top release and showed a fastball that was a pretty straight 4-seam, a 11-5 curve with above average depth, a cutter with some cut and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and good sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw in 2-0 and 2-1 counts and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (91-93), Cut (87), CU (84-85), CB (76)

2nd: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CU (84), SL (78)

3rd: FB (91-94), Cut (86), CU (85) - 2 FB (Jimenez - 2)

4th: FB (90-94), Cut (86-88), CU (86)

5th: FB (90-93), Cut (87-88), CU (85), CB (76-78) - FB (Hawpe), CB (Hawpe)

6th: FB (91-93), Cut (85-87), CU (85), CB (75) - FB (Jimenez)

7th: FB (89-92), Cut (86-88), CU (86)

8th: FB (92-93), Cut (86-88), CU (85), CB (74), SL (78) - Cut (Hawpe)

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (88-90), CU (86), CB (78) - 2 FB (Atkins - 2)

2) Ubaldo Jimenez: FB, SL, CB, CU. 92 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Changeup, Curveball.

• Jimenez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a split change with good fade from lefties and good sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (98-101), CU (89)

2nd: FB (97-98), SL (87-88), CU (86-88), CB (80) - FB (Howard), SL (Ibanez)

3rd: FB (94-99), SL (87-88), CU (88-89), CB (81) - CU (Rollins), CB (Rollins)

4th: FB (99-100), CU (90), CB (79-81)

5th: FB (95-99), SL (85-89), CU (86-89), CB (78-80)

6th: FB (94-97), CU (86-88), CB (78) - FB (Werth)

3) Joe Beimel: FB, CB, CU. 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Beimel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties.

6th: FB (87)

4) Matt Daley: FB, CB, CU. 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Daley came from a sidearm release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink.

6th: FB (90-91), SL (75-80), CU (81-82)

7th: FB (90), CU (82)

5) Franklin Morales: FB, CB, CU. 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Morales came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

7th: FB (94-96), CB (73) - FB (Howard)

6) Jason Marquis: FB, SL, CU, Cut, CB. 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marquis came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good sink and good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite

8th: FB (90-92), SL (83-86)