While I was perusing the Internet moments ago I came across one of my favorite logs – Mike Silva’s N.Y. Base Ball Digest. He had email a host of professional scouts and here is what they had to say about first baseman of the future – The ” Phenom ” Ike Davis .
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                                      ” We finally have a prospect that the scouts love – YAYYY !!!”
I love his poise on the field. He needs more seasoning in the minors, but I think the kid is a real keeper. Let Daniel Murphy or Mike Jacobs start at 1st this year while Davis develops. (Cubs Scout)
I’ve been in baseball for over 40 years and remember when his dad Ronnie first came up with the Yanks in 1979. Unlike his dad, who was this skinny kid with glasses, Ike looks like a ball player. He’s pretty polished for his age, and just needs a little more time in the minors to work on some things. I think once he works out the kinks he’ll be fine. He has a chance to be a really good major leaguer. (Yankees Scout)
The Mets are going about this the right way. Let the kid start the year in the minors to work on his skills set. Fans have to be patient with him and need to remember that it’s a huge jump from the minors to the majors. Because he was born into a baseball family, I think he totally understands what it takes to get to the big leagues. He’s a hard worker who has a lot of toughness to him. I really like his makeup. (Milwaukee Scout)
When I look at Ike Davis, I see a young kid with a world of talent, who if things break right for him, could possibly be the starting first baseman for the next ten years He needs to work on some things both defensively and offensively, and I’d also like to see him develop a little more power but I think he’s a lock to be with the club at some point in the future.. (Braves Scout)
I’ll tell you it is awesome to finally see a Mets prospect live up to the hype in the eyes of the scouts. I know that Fernando Martinez has had some glowing endorsements, and he should be with the team soon. I just don’t remember a prospect since Darryl or Doc ( other than Greg Jefferies or Mike Pelfrey) to blaze through the minors this quickly.
To read Mikes piece , click here http://nybaseballdigest.com/
22 comments
stickguy
3/6/2010-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
now this is the kind of stuff we should be reading. Not snarky pieces ragging on the FO.
Since this is the time of year to dream big, wouldn’t it be sweet if F Mart and Davis both went to Buffalo, stayed healthy (guess why I threw that one in!) and just mashed from day 1?
Quite the concept that they could ptentially have 2 prospects hit the big club at the same time (2011), shades of Wright and Reyes. And there is alway s a chance that Thole joins him.
Especially enticing since 2 of the spot those 3 fill are going to be open (C), quite possibly ripe for the picking (1B) and eminently stealable (RF).
And if it does happen, good thing Bay is a RH hitter!
I know it is hard to break in multiple rookies onto a team that is going to win a lot of games, but a big advantage in this scenerio is that those 3 guys could be taking over for 3 of the worst offensive players on the club (especially factoring that 2 play positions you normally expect production out of).
So,get them up and absorbed, and give me a 2B to replace slappy, and I will be a pig in slop.
Most shocking would be, after all the grief he has gotten, if Omar managed to develop (and of course keep) some prospects that became major pieces of the team?
Just please don’t trade them in a panic move for a reach plaer (like Arroyo).
But, I wonder if Omar wil lbe around to see the fruits of his labor mature?
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for this Rusty!
And Stick, as usual, I completely agree.
Davis, FMart, and Thole are going to be AAA all stars this year, and whatever happens in 2010, the 2011 Mets are going to be frigin loaded with talent.
metsfan4decades
3/6/2010-7:11pm at 7:11 pm (UTC -4)
I remember all the hype about Jeffries. Back in the day, you didn’t have access to all the stats and such on minor league prospects like you do today. I really thought he was the real deal though. Drafted right out of High school and doing very well from the get go probably contributed to them bringing him up at 20. While he had an average major league career he never lived up to that hype and those minor league stats he had.
Here’s hoping our FMart and Ike Davis won’t suffer the same fate.
Hazmet
3/6/2010-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
I’m here to break all of Ty Cobb’s records. – G. Jeffries
Such a shame, had such high hopes for the first amphibious player. No wonder the vet’s didn’t like him coming in like that. Plus being lined up to take Wally or Hojo’s spot. Tough spot for a kid.
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Haz, saw your comment about Pagan on the other thread and could not agree more.
He definitely has VERY strong and deeply ingrained baseball instincts which he automatically acts on—unfortunately almost all of them are WRONG!
I had not even realized there were two outs on the play until you mentioned it! What an idiot!
Hazmet
3/6/2010-7:43pm at 7:43 pm (UTC -4)
The man is completely oblivious. It’s mindboggling, or mindbloggling, how he can have such raw talent to where he’s been called the best athelete on the team in the past and he just doesn’t get it. It is sooooo frustrating. I too saw your post and couldn’t agree more regarding his baseball IQ or lack thereof. I wouldn’t be so aggravated by this but it’s certainly not the first time he just zones out or something.
Now, in fairness I only heard the play on the radio. What would be scarier is if the third base coach waved him around which to me would turn around and reflect on Jerry’s management and conveyance of what he wants to do to his staff. That would be a much bigger problem. It was such a basic play I can only assume Jerry must have also been out of his mind seeing it.
ceetar
3/6/2010-9:05pm at 9:05 pm (UTC -4)
As to that, I’m getting a nagging feeling that Martinez just might be “ready”.
Dreaming: He is indeed ready, starts in center instead of Pagan. Francoeur also performs really well, Beltran comes back and Omar flips Frenchy for an excellent SP. to continue the dream, Martinez wins rookie of the year, Reyes wins MVP, Santana wins Cy Young, and they all get rings.
metsfan4decades
3/6/2010-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – I forgot about that statement.
It’s one thing to have confidence in yourself – which I’d have to assume believing in your own talents goes a long way when first coming up. But it’s another to announce it to the world before you’ve actually proven anything at the ML level.
And if I remember correctly, we traded Wally to make room for him.
darknova306
3/6/2010-9:24pm at 9:24 pm (UTC -4)
This is part of why I get so irritated when I see people say that Davis, FMart and Thole (and sometimes Holt and Mejia) should be starting opening day this year. Do people really not learn from these things? I don’t get the obsession some have with rushing prospects. If any of these guys plays on the big club before rosters expand it should be because they forced their way up from AAA by dominating.
On a related note, think about how much home-grown talent could be on the opening day roster NEXT year. Thole, Wright, Reyes, Davis, F-Mart, Murphy (bench/utility), Pelfrey, Niese, Parnell, Holt/Mejia (maybe). They’ll still find a way to rip our hearts out (yay cynicism), but it’s fun to think about a team built largely around home-grown players.
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
Can you cite ONE place, other than you right here, where ANYONE has suggested Thole or Holt even being on the roster, let alone starting this year?
You must really be running on empty finding things to be negative about, when you are making things up and then complaining about them!
ceetar
3/6/2010-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
Before they got Barajas I was 100% on the “Start Thole” bandwagon. He wasn’t going to do worse than Santos.
And as I said above, I’m starting to think Martinez might push himself onto the team. He’s quite young, but he’s also had a lot of time in the minors anyway..even if he’s gotten himself hurt. Personally, I don’t get the obsession with some sort of regimented plan to promote players. Sure, there’s a mental aspect to it, but guys that are going to be stars will make it, and you learn so much more by struggling in the majors than dominating the minors.
darknova306
3/6/2010-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, you took that entirely the wrong way. I was actually referring to a combination of people I follow on Twitter and fellow fans I interact with around Rochester. Holt and Thole aren’t mentioned that often, more Thole than Holt, but there are plenty that are advocating jumping a bunch of these guys over AAA and sending them straight to the big club for opening day.
How is disliking the thought of rushing prospects being negative? I wasn’t trying to go on a negative rant about the team. If that’s how it came off, I’m sorry. (The final sentence was negative about the team, but it was just an expression of my own cynicism. Humbly withdrawn).
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
Hey man, I am sorry too…sometimes I reflexively oppose negativity without thinking enough.
I think that FMart, Thole, Mejia, and Davis are all going to be AAA all stars this year, and in 2011 this team is going to be LOADED.
darknova306
3/6/2010-11:35pm at 11:35 pm (UTC -4)
No worries. I definitely spout unnecessary negativity sometimes, so I understand your initial reaction.
We could definitely be loaded in 2011, and have a solid FA class to draw from as well. Whatever happens, it’ll be a fun ride.
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
And disliking the thought of rushing prospects is not only wise, but something we totally agree upon.
Imagine the confidence FMart will have for his Sept. callup if he does in fact dominate AAA this year.
stickguy
3/6/2010-11:17pm at 11:17 pm (UTC -4)
well, if he keeps hitting like this (and of course stays in one piece!), he may force the issue sooner than that.
I hope that he can’t get a foot in the door, since that would mean one of the other OFs got hurt, or was just sucking up the joint. Neither good for the Mets.
Don’t think they would bring him up unless he was going to play.
But, I am getting more on board with platooning in RF. After learning how drastic Frenchys career splits are, having him start against lefties, and pagan against RH pitchers (once Beltran comes back) makes a ton of sense.
So, not a big leap from Pagan to F Mart later in the year.
darknova306
3/6/2010-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
If he stays fully healthy for a AAA season, I’m confident in FMart’s ability to show he’s ready. Looking forward to seeing him more this year when the Bisons come to Rochester.
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, Nets beating the Knicks, badly, in NY.
7 wins all year and two are a season split with the sorry, pathetic, possibly very worst franchise in all of sports Knicks.
Hahahahaha.
Nets finish at least 10-15 games ahead of those pathetic sadsacks next year.
ceetar
3/6/2010-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
heh. As long as Philadelphia retains it’s record for suckiest season. I know how they identify with losing.
gategem
3/6/2010-11:49pm at 11:49 pm (UTC -4)
Nothing would be funnier than after the season the Nets are having they do not get the first pick in the draft.
Kingman 26
3/6/2010-11:55pm at 11:55 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, I can think of an infinite number of things that would be funnier than that….
ceetar
3/7/2010-7:27am at 7:27 am (UTC -4)
Like if they have a similar crappy season the next year and still don’t get the first pick?