Draft Reviews: New York Mets

2008 Draft Slot: 18th overall
Top Pick: Ike Davis, 1B/OF, Arizona State University
Best Pick: Reese Havens, IF, University of South Carolina (1st round, 22nd overall)
Keep an Eye On: Javier Rodriguez, OF, Puerto Rico high school (2nd round)
Notes: Javier Rodriguez was the first selection out of Puerto Rico but he hit just .193 in his rookie-ball debut. No one is worried, though, as the outfielder is very young and loaded with talent. Both Ike Davis and Reese Havens had disappointing debuts, while supplemental first round pick Brad Holt surprised everyone with his success. All three are in high-A ball in 2009 and Holt is still pitching well. Havens is showing more power than people expected (7 HR, .225 ISO) but he’s struggling to hit for average (.254). Davis is hitting for average, but he has just one home run in 352 at-bats, which is puzzling and very, very worrisome.

2007 Draft Slot: 42nd overall (Supplemental first round)
Top Pick: Eddie Kunz, RHP, Oregon State University
Best Pick: Dillon Gee, RHP, U of Texas-Arlington (21st round)
Worst Pick: Nathan Vineyard, LHP, Georgia high school (Supplemental 1st round, 47th overall)
Notes: Nathan Vineyard was not overly effective as a pro before blowing out his shoulder. He should be back in the second half of May, but it remains to be seen how effectively he’ll be as he already didn’t throw very hard prior to surgery and his best pitch (a slider) may have been the cause of the injury. Eddie Kunz is a perfect example of why it’s risky to choose relievers early in the draft. If a starter struggles, he can move to the bullpen. If a reliever struggles, he… Dillon Gee was a steal in the 21st round as he is already in triple-A and pitching well. The downside is that with a modest fastball that plays up due to command and control, Gee’s ceiling is that of a No. 4 starter or middle reliever.

2006 Draft Slot: 62nd overall (Second round)
Top Pick: Kevin Mulvey, RHP, Villanova University
Best Pick: Daniel Murphy, 3B, Jacksonville University (13th round)
Worst Pick: John Holdzkom, RHP, Salt Lake community college (4th round)
Notes: Like brother Lincoln, John Holdzkom just could not stay out of trouble or make the most of his blazing fastball. Daniel Murphy, already in New York, was a steal in the 13th round and he would be even better if he could play defense like he can hit. Now with the Twins organization, Kevin Mulvey – who has yet to get to the Majors – was used as part of the bait for Johan Santana.

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2009 Draft Slot: 72nd overall (Second round)
Draft Preference (2006-08): College pitchers and hitters
MLB Club Need: First base, Starting pitcher, Catcher, Left field
Organizational Need: Outfield, Second base, Left-handed pitching
Organizational Strength: Shortstop, Third base
Notes: Thanks to the signing of closer Francisco Rodriguez, the Mets will not pick until 71 players have already gone off the board, so the club will have to scout really well to find a good sleeper, or hope that a top player slides due to signability concerns. The good news is that the club has worked with similar draft scenarios in the past few seasons, so it should be getting used to it. The bad news is that the club has had a number of disappointing drafts for that very reason. Another plus, though, is that the organization does very, very well in the international market, which always seems to make up for poor draft showings.